No heg internal link—tons of other ways the US supports R&D

Investing in R&D is not new, and it will be an important element in new economy competitiveness. But supporting federal and university laboratories is not enough. The United States needs to look at the path from the laboratory to production for domestic and global markets. In addition to funding research at universities, national laboratories, and research centers, the United States must also support the education of scientists, engineers, and skilled workers. During the early 1980s, the U.S. often led the world in scientific break throughs, but often lagged in terms of turning ideas into competitive products. Students of innovation point to two hurdles that face every innovator. The challenge of moving from idea to product is often referred to as the Valley of Death. Taking the next step and taking production to a competitive scale is referred to as surmounting the Darwinian Sea. A combination of federal, state, and private support will help labs and single inventors to overcome both hurdles. The U.S. has taken some creative steps to foster innovation. Started by the Obama administration, the Manufacturing USA program now has some 16 public private partnerships focused on aspects of advanced manufacturing that range from 3-D printing to regenerative medicine. The Departments of Defense and Energy provide much of the public funding and choose topics that fit their mission. The Department of Commerce also supports manufacturing institutes but chooses candidates from an open competition. In a recent competition focused on pharmaceuticals, the Department of Commerce identified five qualified candidates but could only fund one (ISA, 2020). By way of contrast, when China saw the U.S. developing the manufacturing institutes, it quickly created its own version. China now has 40 or more similar institutes. The Chinese example suggests the U.S. should pay close attention to the innovation initiatives around the world. In the Department of Commerce, the Foreign Commercial Services promotes exports and economic opportunity for American companies and workers overseas. U.S. could match that effort with a Foreign Technology Service that identifies innovations in products, processes, and institutions around the world. After rejoining the Paris Accord, President Biden is expected to set goals for reducing harmful emissions. Meeting any ambitious goals will require research and development coupled with the ability to put green innovations to work. Facing an ever more competitive world, many students of innovation suggest that the U.S. must pick priority areas for research. Basic research can lead to unexpected but promising directions. At the same time, targeted research focusing on what next steps are needed in artificial intelligence or new materials for electronics will yield near-term dividends that help the U.S. maintain a competitive edge. In an era of global companies and competing nations, the United States is likely to create incentives to translate innovations into domestic production and jobs. Like foreign policy, competitiveness policy starts at home. The Biden team can be expected to build on the reality and the sense that gains in productivity are widely shared.