Hearing of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee - The Relationship Between Business and Research Universities: Collaborations Fueling American Innovation and Job Creation

Hearing

Good morning. We are pleased to welcome this distinguished panel of witnesses to examine partnerships and collaborations between industry and research universities. I look forward to working with my fellow Members of this Subcommittee to learn more about these important relationships.

The fundamental basic research taking place at U.S. research universities is essential to the future prosperity of our Nation. Collaboration between business and academia helps fuel research necessary for American innovation and helps prepare a workforce that meets the needs of industry. Both are critical components to future economic prosperity and job growth.

As we discussed in a previous Subcommittee hearing in June, the National Academies report, Research Universities and the Future of America: Ten Breakthrough Actions Vital to Our Nation's Prosperity and Security, asserts that "business and industry have largely dismantled the large corporate research laboratories that drove American industrial leadership in the 20th century, such as Bell Labs, but have not yet fully partnered with research universities to fill the gap at a time when the new knowledge and ideas emerging from university research are needed by society more than ever." The report asserts an important role for industry to play in maintaining the strength of the Nation's research universities. The report also asserts that "business is the channel through which basic ideas developed in research universities reach the
marketplace."

The report recommends that America strengthen businesses' role in research partnerships, reform graduate education, and reduce regulatory burden for U.S. research universities as part of its ten stated actions to support the future of U.S. research universities. Today we will hear from witnesses representing industry and academia and learn more about what these collaborations hold for the stakeholders and students, how they take shape and evolve, and if and how they can continue to be strengthened.

I look forward to learning more from our witnesses, and how this Subcommittee and Congress can institute policies which help rather than hinder industry and research universities.

Thank you again to our witnesses for taking the time to be here with us today.

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