March 26, 2025
Dear Mr. Kratsios:
Scientific advancement and technological breakthrough have been the dual engines driving the American century. The Manhattan Project ignited the atomic era, while the Apollo Program helped us clinch victory in the space race. The internet, our connective tissue, has ushered us into a digital age. Today, we stand on the brink of a new era—the Golden Age of American Innovation. Our mission is to make America safer, healthier, and more prosperous than it has ever been, renewing the promise of the American Dream for all.
These historical achievements weren’t mere strokes of luck. As World War II drew to a close, President Franklin D. Roosevelt penned a letter to his science and technology advisor, Vannevar Bush, urging him to explore new intellectual frontiers for the sake of national greatness and to pioneer science in peacetime. Dr. Bush’s response laid the foundation for a uniquely successful collaboration among government, industry, and academia, which has made America the most productive nation in human history.
Today, however, we face formidable rivals seeking to challenge America’s status as the world’s leading innovator and knowledge producer. We must rekindle the urgency that propelled us through the last century. It is time to return to our roots and reinvigorate the American scientific enterprise for the challenges that lie ahead. Just as FDR entrusted Vannevar Bush with a monumental task, I now charge you with the following challenges to deliver for the American people.
First: How can the United States secure its position as the unrivaled global leader in critical and emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and nuclear technology—while maintaining our edge over potential adversaries?
We need to hasten research and development, dismantle regulatory obstacles, fortify domestic supply chains and manufacturing, stimulate vigorous private sector investment, and elevate American companies in international markets. Our rivals are making aggressive moves to surpass us, and we must carve out a bold path to sustain our technological supremacy.
Second: How can we rejuvenate America’s science and technology landscape—pursuing truth, minimizing administrative burdens, and empowering researchers to achieve groundbreaking discoveries?
We must embrace new paradigms for the research enterprise, including innovative funding models and collaborative scientific research frameworks. Redefining how America approaches the business of discovery is essential. We need to cultivate an ecosystem that attracts top talent, celebrates merit, safeguards our intellectual assets, and allows scientists to concentrate on meaningful work rather than tedious administrative tasks.
Third: How can we ensure that scientific progress and technological innovation drive economic growth and enhance the lives of all Americans?
During my first term, we made unprecedented strides in establishing America’s scientific and technological leadership. We initiated the American Artificial Intelligence Initiative, catapulting the United States to the forefront of AI development and implementation. Our National Quantum Initiative laid the groundwork for national quantum supremacy. We established the United States Space Force, charting an audacious course for further exploration of space. All these efforts bolstered our security and strengthened our prosperity, reaffirming America’s status as the world’s leading technological superpower.
Now, after four long years marked by weakness and complacency, we must aim even higher. I am calling upon you to forge a path toward the next frontiers of science. We have a unique opportunity to solidify America’s global technological leadership and usher in the Golden Age of American Innovation. This is not merely about competing with other nations; it is about striving to make America greater than ever before.
Sincerely,
