Physics and Astronomy Colloquium

Federal funding for the physical sciences has been stagnant for nearly 30 years, hindering scientific progress in many regards. Meanwhile, in the last decade, countries like China and India have made impressive strides in improving their science and technology infrastructure, to the extent that U.S. leadership in many scientific fields is, or will soon be, challenged. The United States is also losing high-tech market share and jobs. Just as Sputnik jolted the U.S. into action almost 50 years ago, many believe that the current challenges require a Sputnik-like response. Indeed, in January 2006, President Bush proposed to double the funding for physical sciences basic research. A year later, the proposed increases are yet to be enacted. In this talk, I will discuss the Washington environment for basic research funding, challenges to U.S. science leadership, and the APS efforts to increase science research budgets.