Scientists always needed someone to help pay the bill for their work.
For example, in the 19th century Charles Darwin made an expensive journey to the southern tip of America, visit many other places On the way, including his famous campaign in the Galapagos Islands. The fossil evidence of Darwin, collected during a five -year trip, ultimately helped him think about Infinite variety of speciesBoth the past and the present.
HMS Beagle and his crew crossed these places during hours testing and drawing cards for the Royal Fleet, and the journey was Financed by the British governmentDarwin’s position as a naturalist on board the ship was unpaid, but, fortunately, his family’s private assets were enough to cover his accommodation costs, while he focused on his scientific work.
Today, government and private financing remain important for scientific discoveries and transfer of knowledge into practical applications.
As a professor of scientific educationOne of my goals in the preparation of future teachers is to present them with characteristics of scientific knowledge And how it develops. For decades in my area, he also reached a strong consensus, in which citizens also formed You need to know On the nature of the scientific enterprise. This includes an understanding who pays for science, which may differ depending on the type of research, and why this is important.
Financing of science is more than just the amount of money. To a large extent, organizations that finance the research established the agenda, and various sponsors have different priorities. It may also be difficult to see the subsequent advantages of scientific research, but they usually outweigh the initial costs.
Basic studies lead to new knowledge
The main research, also called Fundamental researchIt includes a systematic study aimed at obtaining new knowledge. Scientists often conduct studies that fall into this category without specific applications or commercial purposes.
Of course, it costs money to follow where curiosity leads; Scientists need funding To get questions about the natural and material world.
About 40% of fundamental studies in the United States have been funded in recent years. A The government makes these investments Because fundamental studies are the basis of long -term innovation, economic growth and public well -being.
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Financing basic research is distributed by the federal government through several agencies and institutions. More than a century of the United States Sponsored national healthcare institutions The breadth of scientific and Health care research and educational programs. Since 1950 The National Scientific Fund is advanced The main research and educational programs, including the training of the next generation of scientists.
Other federal agencies have additional missions, such as Advisable Research Agency in DefenseCreated in response to the launch of the Soviet Union Sputnik in 1957. DARPA is focused on technological innovations for national security, many of which have become devices for civilian life.
Thanks to the competitive review process In these agencies, subjective experts check research proposals and give recommendations on financing. The amount of funding available from NIH, NSF and DARPA varies per year, depending on Assigning CongressMost of the awarded funds turn to universities, research institutes and other medical and scientific organizations that conduct research. The amount of research dollars was awarded It differs among statesField
Application of research
Scientists conduct basic research to generate new knowledge without any specific ultimate goal. Applied studies are distinguished in that they are aimed at finding solutions for real problems.
A study that explore specific, practical goals or improvements with commercial potential is more likely to attract private investors. Companies are directly invested in research and development to get a competitive advantage and make a profit. The private industry is more likely to immerse dollars in applied rather than basic research, because the potential recoil in the form of a new product or advance payment is more noticeable.
From detection to real implementation
Since applied studies solve problems, promising results move in the direction of clinical use or basic use. This process of research and development can lead to tangible advantages for individuals and society.
Federal agencies, such as NIH, make significant investments in the main and applied science that underlies new drugs. Pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies to a large extent invest in the development of drug candidatesThe field of the latest messages showed that The industry was responsible for 50% Or more Of the dollars invested in healthcare and biomedical research in recent years. These expenses include significant Clinical testing costs– Studies that Check new medical treatment methods Before they are approved for use.
The basic study of NIH financed that contributed to every approved drug Office for Control of products and medicines of the United States in the period from 2010 to 2016. This includes key work, which He led to covid-19 vaccinesCovid-19 vaccination campaign is likely saved the United States more than $ 1 trillion in the costs of healthcare, which otherwise would be carried, as well as Saved lifeField
The initial investments of the NSF in research have played an important role in Black holes capture And The study of deep oceansThe field of the main studies financed by NSF laid the way for everyday amenities, such as smartphones, Google search engine And artificial intelligenceThe field of other financial projects led to an improvement in the quality of life, such as American gestures And Kids' correspondence for transplantation. Educational programsSuch as Bill Na, a scientific guy and a magic school bus, were also projects supported by NSF.
It is important who pays: financing of science forms
Ceremonies and financial systems form a trajectory of research in different fields. Institutions advertise the possibility of financing Based on their current prioritiesThe field of changes in the amount of available funding ultimately ultimately Send the attention of researchersAny field Basic research breakssuch as changes in financial support or institutions can threaten future discoveries and potential payments For many yearsField
In accordance with the numbers reported by the coalition Scientific research institutesEach dollar that NIH spends on research leads to $ 2.56 from new economic activityThe field in the 2024 financial year means that Congress in the amount of $ 47.35 billion. USA, adapted to NIH, 36.94 billion dollars. The United States, provided to American researchers, caused activities in the amount of $ 94 billion due to employment and purchase of goods and services related to research.
Economist Pierre Azuul and his colleagues recently represented an alternative story where NIH was 40% less and scattered less money– The budget is akin to the current federal proposals. They claimed this More than half of the drugs approved by FDA Since 2000, they have been tied to a study financed by NIH, which would be cut in accordance with this scenario. This mental experiment emphasizes how valuable these basic dollars are.
Even seeming inherent or abstract research can precedes discoveries with a serious influenceThe field of the main research in the field of food and the movement of bees -nnectar around the colony, recently Mentioned in “Last week tonight with John Oliver“Led to the development of an algorithm that distributes Internet traffic between computer servers, which currently supports the multibillione web-house industry. The role of financing in a scientific enterpriseField
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