While many policymakers are aware that federally funded research has been essential to the creation of thousands of companies, industries, products, and jobs, many are not aware of the military innovations that similarly would not have been possible without federally funded basic research, much of it supported by the Department of Defense. Through a recent congressional briefing, the Task Force on American Innovation, with the help of warfighters dressed in combat uniforms from the World War I era to the modern era, presented amazing technologies that would not have been possible without research. Among the innovations that help protect warfighters and improve their capabilities are gas masks, radar, body armor, and improved medical techniques. An example is the EpiPEN, which sprung from similar devices designed to protect soldiers from nerve agents and chemical weapons through various conflicts.
With Congress facing continuing issues related to funding of the nation’s armed services, this is an important time to demonstrate the importance of federally funded research. About 150 congressional staff members were at the event that was held in Washington, DC. The Task Force on American Innovation is an alliance of America’s leading companies, research universities, and scientific societies. AIP is a member of the Task Force, and AIP’s Government Relations staff assisted with organizing this event.
