Funding the Scientific Community Through Universities

If a country streams money into the science departments of its major universities, would that in turn be enough to reach a new peak in the scientific community both economically and credibly? In the October 18, 2006 online issue of Nature, an editorial titled “Striving for Excellence,” was posted concerning the recent allocation of funds by Germany in an attempt to revive a “scientific renaissance,” (par. 1). In short, the author discusses adding more funding to select German universities, in hopes to rival other universities globally as a notable cause, however that this new step is almost futile because the resources won’t be sufficient to put the Germans at the top of the biotechnological and molecular science community. It seems as though the author has little faith in the German competition. Perhaps because this science resurgence is in such an early stage, is it too hard to conceivably aspire for a bright future? The author presents the argument that no amount of money (and frankly time) could put the German university system near the top of the global science community. But who is to say where and when the next innovations in science will be made? One of the few things that can aid in determining such situations are the resources put into a research/development program, and funding is a definite necessity when getting anything done, especially if economic prosperity could follow suit.

The RAND Corporation sponsored a 2004 portfolio titled “Vital Assets,” outlining the federal funding in Research and Development (R&D) programs in the United States’ universities and colleges. Contributors to the report included Donna Fossum, Lawrence S. Painter, Elisa Eiseman, Emile Ettedgui, and David M. Adamson. The portfolio stated that funds from 1996 to 2002 for R&D programs jumped from $12.8 billion to $21.4 billion, a 45.7% increase. Think of all the latest advancements in health care industry alone – don’t even imagine novelties such as camera cell phones, iPods, or cars running on hydrogen fuel. R&D funds helped universities sustain programs while expanding collective knowledge throughout the scientific community. In addition, universities conducting these experiments with federal money fulfill many missions of federal agencies. Most of the research done at universities provides graduate, and many undergraduate, students with real-life experience in the field expanding their knowledge base. With the need for professors comes the demand for jobs and a highly educated population, as well as training for professionals. This newly educated generation is what will be the expertise in the next technologies to be presented on the market in the future – we must consider facts like this.

No one can predict exactly how things will turn out in the future, but progressions will occur in the universities when given the proper resources and funding. So who is to say that those advances will be in American, German, or other nationalities’ universities? North Carolina ranks 7th in the nation as a state in receiving federal funding for R&D programs, this includes medical schools, totaling $858 million (“Vital Assets” 13). The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 18th overall in the United States as a recipient for funding, including medical schools (“Vital Assets” 30). Without funding to the UNC Medical School, UNC-CH is 17th overall, ahead of universities like Duke and Wake Forest (“Vital Assets” 30). These statistics are outstanding, and it is completely unfair for someone to assume that Germany couldn’t have successful science departments in their universities even with proper funding. Just give it time. Competition of the capitalistic nature is emerging throughout the world, even among universities looking for funding. Things simply have to play out in Germany, and with the new younger professors leading classes in Germany with a more progressive idea about science, revival is very possible.