Metascience
New scientific discoveries are the basis of long-term economic growth, human health, and social progress. But despite how much the U.S. government spends on science, we know surprisingly little about how different structures, incentives, and organizational models shape the rate and direction of science. Over the past several decades, the structure of the scientific enterprise has changed dramatically, but the way we fund and incentivize science has remained static. FAS works to catalyze a more nimble science funding ecosystem, capable of keeping up with a rapidly changing enterprise and facilitating new innovations to improve the lives of people around the world. We source creative ideas for new scientific models, curate key evidence regarding the efficacy of programs and policies, and aim to break tacit knowledge out of old silos to keep data open and accessible.
Science funding agencies are biased against risk, making transformative research difficult to fund. Forecast-based approaches to grantmaking could improve funding outcomes for high-risk, high-reward research.
Collaboration between federal agencies and academic researchers is an important tool for public policy. This primer provides an initial set of questions and topics for agencies to consider when exploring academic partnership.
Federal clearinghouses should incorporate open science practices into their standards and procedures used to identify evidence-based social programs eligible for federal funding.
To better address security and sustainability of open source software, the United States should establish a Digital Technology Fund through multi-stakeholder participation.