Growing convergence research at NSF wasidentifiedin 2016 as one of 10 Big Ideas for Future NSF Investments. Convergence research ischaracterizedby its solutions-based approach, as well as deep integration across disciplines. Convergence is a compelling paradigm and could be a potent force for advancing scientific discovery via transdisciplinary collaboration.

How can NSF build on the recently established funding for convergence research to accelerate the transition from research to practice in areas of national importance?

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Over the last 40 years, the private sector hasovertakenthe government in funding R&D. Research in key technological domains such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotechnology will dictate national competitiveness for years to come, and yet the United States does not have the domestic workforce to supply such high-level research. The Ph.D. track for researchers usually takes about 5-7 years on average to complete, attrition notwithstanding.

What can NSF do to expand how it trains students for research beyond the traditional 5-7 year Phd-track in order to fit the needs of today’s STEM workforce?

The administration’s infrastructure planincludestens of billions of dollars to upgrade federal and academic research facilities. The need is real – for example, “more thanhalfof the facilities on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s two main campuses are in poor to critical condition.”

Dr. Panchanathan, based on your discussions with researchers in academia, can you please comment on the need to upgrade research facilities at colleges, universities, and other research institutions?

There ispotentialfor NSF to receive both an expanded budget and mission to enhance U.S. innovation. Part of this could include NSF housing a technology directorate. Some academic leadersbelievean additional, different way of approaching problems will be useful to NSF, while others have warned that any expansion of mission must be done just right in order to maintain the NSF’s culture and not “dilute NSF’s ability to support basic research at universities.”

NSFhasa “70-year history of funding research that has fueled U.S. economic growth and national security.” Please describe the aspects of NSF’s culture that are essential to maintain in order for NSF to continue to drive the fundamental research that leads to U.S. innovation.

Studies haveshownthat the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected female scientists, particularly those with young children. One survey published in Naturefoundthat scientists with at least one child five years old or younger experienced a 17% larger decline in research time than scientists without children.

How does NSF plan to support scientists, many who are early in their careers, who have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

According to the finalreportof the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, China has “the might, talent, and ambition to surpass the United States as the world’s leader in AI in the next decade if current trends do not change.” Given China’s current use of AI tosuppressits citizens and persecute the Uighurs, this should be a significant concern for the United States.

美国国家科学基金会计划什么do to bolster the U.S.’ competitiveness in AI? What can Congress do to help?

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the need for effective sciencecommunication. It is imperative to restore confidence in science, and improve understanding of what it can and cannot offer our society. As one of the nation’s leading vehicles for science, NSF is a major stakeholder in creating a scientifically and technologically literate society.

Dr. Panchanathan, can you please comment on how science communication can be integrated across NSF in creative and fresh ways, and how can it be leveraged to meet the grand societal challenges we are facing today?

Your question could be here!