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  • Coalition urges Congress to support National Science Foundation funding

    Jun 3, 2024 9:15 am
    the United States Capitol

    Images

    The following letter was sent to Illinois’ federal legislators last week by a coalition of 59 of Illinois’ institutions of higher education, businesses and nonprofits.

    Dear Member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation:

    We write on behalf of Illinois’ institutions of higher education, businesses and nonprofits to underscore the importance of federal support for science, and to urge you to advocate for robust funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

    In FY2023, NSF invested over $356 million in the state of Illinois for research, entrepreneurship and STEM education. These investments allow our institutions to make cutting-edge discoveries in areas ranging from quantum to biotechnology to clean energy. NSF seed funding also provides vital support for small businesses and startups through the SBIR/STTR programs; Illinois companies have received 67 SBIR/STTR awards from 2019-2023. And, with about a quarter of U.S. workers employed in STEM occupations, NSF education and workforce funding helps ensure that Illinois can meet the need for a trained, diverse STEM workforce.

    Congress recognized the crucial role that NSF plays in advancing innovation and competitiveness when it passed the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022. Unfortunately, funding for NSF is far below the levels authorized in that legislation. While the CHIPS and Science Act authorized $15.65 billion for NSF in FY2024, Congress appropriated just over $9 billion, a 5% cut from NSF’s base budget in FY2023.  

    While we appreciate the fiscal challenges facing this country, federal investments in research and innovation are vital to our state. With your support, NSF will continue to fund the new knowledge, startups and trained scientists and engineers that drive economic growth in Illinois and across the country.

    Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of our state.

    Respectfully,

    The University of Illinois System

    Illinois Chamber of Commerce

    Intersect Illinois

    P33

    Illinois Manufacturers’ Association

    Illinois Railroad Association

    World Business Chicago

    Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

    mHUB Chicago

    John Deere

    Illinois Science and Technology Coalition

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    University of Illinois Chicago

    University of Illinois Springfield

    Northwestern University

    University of Chicago

    Loyola University Chicago

    Illinois Institute of Technology

    Parkland College

    North Central College

    Benedictine University

    Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago

    Governors State University

    Northern Illinois University

    Roosevelt University

    Augustana College

    Eastern Illinois University

    Western Illinois University

    Wheaton College

    Xavier University

    Southern Illinois University System

    Discovery Partners Institute


    Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities

    Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago 

    Current 

    QDIR, Inc.

    Rhaeos

    TERRY VENTURES, LLC

    TCCI Manufacturing

    PSYONIC, Inc.

    Alcorix Co.

    Stemloop, Inc.

    Volexion

    Kaizen Technologies

    BiomeSense

    Field Museum

    MeshPlusPlus, Inc

    Metropolitan Family Services

    Iris Light Technologies

    Kazadi Enterprises

    HIRE360

    Evergreen Climate Innovations

    Clayco

    EarthSense, Inc.

    Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

    Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County

    Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance

    Society of Woman Engineers

    Greater Peoria Economic Development Council



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