Federal science funding keeps Kansas and America competitive

Monday, June 9, 2025

Editor’s note: This letter was originally published in the Wichita Eagle on June 3. K-State faculty interested in strategic influencer communication should contact Division of Communications and Marketing for guidance and distribution.

So much that we take for granted today, from grocery shopping to driving across town to Googling why dogs like belly rubs, traces back to advances in physics. Technologies like the lasers that cashiers use at check out, the GPS we use in our cars and even the internet all began with curiosity-driven research into abstract scientific questions. These breakthroughs didn't happen overnight; they came from pursuing the fundamental scientific inquiry that only federal funding enables. And future breakthroughs are now in jeopardy because of the proposed federal budget cuts to science.

In early May, the proposed budget for how the federal government should be funded next year was released. It includes a staggering more than 50% cut to the National Science Foundation, along with debilitating cuts to NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Some of these agencies you may know well, others you might not have heard of. But, for decades they have funded the very work that drives American discovery, enhances our global competitiveness and improves the lives of all Americans. Slashing these budgets will stall innovation, undermine workforce development, damage our economy and weaken our leadership on the global stage.

As a physicist, I’ve spent my career studying the fundamental forces that shape our universe, from the Big Bang to the mysterious nature of “dark energy.” While that may sound far removed from American life, it’s exactly this kind of research that leads to the innovations we rely on every day, as well as building our nation’s economic and national security. And it’s only possible because of consistent, forward-looking federal investments in science.

Federal research funding is how graduate students, and often college students, become part of America’s highly-trained STEM workforce. These students don’t just study textbooks and take tests; they work in the laboratory maintaining state-of-the-art equipment and performing cutting-edge research, all hoping to find the next breakthrough discovery. But it’s not just science that benefits from these bright young minds.

Their research and training are essential in a surprising range of industries. It turns out that the same computational and analytical tools needed to study particle physics and cosmology are also business essential for American companies working in finance, software, manufacturing and national security.

We’re seeing that need right here in Kansas. Major employers in Wichita like Koch Industries and Bombardier are creating thousands of jobs and driving innovation – helping the Air Capital of the World evolve into a key hub in the growing Silicon Prairie.

It’s no surprise that I’ve had former students hired by similar companies, while another has consulted for the U.S. Air Force. And, of course, some join me in training the next generation of scientists and engineers. But this ecosystem is fragile.

Without federal funding, students cannot be supported, and without them, research and its advancements simply stop. That means breakthroughs in fields like quantum computing and artificial intelligence stall, along with the local jobs, startups and economic growth they help generate right here in Kansas.

When federal research dollars come to Kansas, they support more than scientific research. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers live in our communities. They pay rent, shop at local stores and volunteer – contributing to the local economy. They also often mentor the next generation and are the direct pipeline of talent that pays national dividends over time.

Some may ask: Why fund research without obvious and immediate applications?

History gives us a clear answer. As I mentioned earlier, lasers, which now power everything from grocery store scanners to medical devices, trace their roots back to Albert Einstein’s work in the early 20th century. The foundations of the internet were built by particle physicists who needed a better way to communicate. And Wi-Fi? That relies on principles discovered through theoretical science that allows us to transmit data wirelessly.

Every one of them began with exploratory research that’s only made possible by federal funding. If we pull back now, we don’t just slow innovation; we hand the future to our competitors. China, India, and European nations are doubling down on fundamental science to fuel their economic and strategic ambitions. The world’s largest particle accelerator is in Europe, not the United States. That’s not just symbolic; it reflects a shift in where cutting-edge ideas are being developed and where tomorrow’s industries will take root. If we don’t keep up, we will cede our technological leadership, economic vitality and the infrastructure that supports both.

In Kansas, and across America, we pride ourselves on being self-sufficient and staying ahead. But that only happens if we continue to invest in the people and ideas that will shape our future. Fundamental research isn't about instant returns; it’s about building long-term strength.

Imagine if the United States hadn’t maintained its commitment to becoming a global force in aerospace? Today, Kansas wouldn't benefit from the tens of thousands of nearby jobs in technology and national security created by Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation and McConnell Air Force Base.

Innovation and global competitiveness is a bipartisan issue. Across political lines, we agree on the importance of national security, economic growth and preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. Federal research funding supports all these goals.

We can’t afford to fall behind.

 

Bharat Ratra