ABSTRACT
Academic research is a vital and important component of the United States (US) research system. Both government and industry are dependent on it to a greater degree than in most other nations. This chapter reviews a few main rationales that drive the public support of research. The order of these four motives for government support of research is the order of increasing appeal to federal politicians and administrators who are responsible for supporting research. Yet it also represents the order of decreasing appeal to the academic researchers who receive federal support. Past academic research policies have not adequately protected the US advantage in high-tech industries and international competitiveness. The chapter argues that US government needs to re-examine the underlying motives for federal support of academic research and see whether today's realities call for new policies.
