American Competitiveness Initiative

Stored: American Competitiveness Initiative

American Competitiveness Initiative

Type	Initiative
Sponsor Organization	Partnership
Top Organization	Office of Science and Technology Policy
Creation Legislation	N/A
Website	Website
Purpose	Boosts U.S. economic edge by funding research, enhancing science and tech education, and sparking innovation to keep America a leader in science and technology nationwide.
Program Start	2006
Initial Funding	$5.9 billion
Duration	Ended
Historic	Yes

The American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) is a federal assistance program intended to help America maintain its competitiveness through investment in research and development (R&D) and education. The ACI’s focus is on programs that are likely to strengthen U.S. competitiveness by targeting funding to agencies that support research in the physical sciences. It was launched to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness by increasing investments in R&D, enhancing STEM education, and promoting innovation. Aimed at ensuring America's continued global leadership in science and technology, the ACI included plans for substantial funding increases in research, education reform, and tax incentives for private sector R&D over a decade.

In partnership with the private sector, state and local governments, and colleges and universities, the ACI hopes to promote new levels of educational achievement and economic productivity.

Official Site

Goals

• Double federal investment in key physical sciences over 10 years.
• Expand STEM education to prepare students for high-tech jobs.
• Stimulate innovation through research and tax incentives.

Organization

The ACI was a collaborative effort involving multiple federal agencies, notably the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Education, and the Department of Energy. Leadership was provided by the President's administration, with no single agency designated as the primary sponsor. Funding was proposed through the federal budget process.

Key leadership roles were held by individuals like the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Partners

• Office of Science and Technology Policy
• National Science Foundation
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy

History

Announced by President George W. Bush in his 2006 State of the Union address, the ACI was an attempt to address concerns about America's declining edge in science and technology. It was followed by legislative action like the America COMPETES Act, which embodied many of its principles. However, the initiative itself did not continue as a distinct program; its goals were partially absorbed into broader legislative frameworks like the America COMPETES Act and later iterations.

Background

In October 2005, the National Academies of Science released a report that revealed how U.S. technological leadership and export are currently under threat. As an example, the report cited that out of the 120 chemical plants built around the world worth $1 billion or more, one is constructed in the United States but 50 are in China. The organization stressed that "the scientific and technical building blocks of our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength." Three months after the publication of the report, ACI was announced in President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address given on January 31, 2006. In his statement, the President said: "Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hard-working, ambitious people - and we are going to keep that edge."

The Initiative committed $5.9 billion ($1.3 billion in new Federal funding, and an additional $4.6 billion in R&D tax incentives) in FY 2007 to increase investments in R&D, strengthen education, and encourage entrepreneurship. Over ten years, the Initiative plans to commit $50 billion to increase funding for research and $86 billion for R&D tax incentives. Key programs under the ACI include:

• more rigorous math courses with new programs for elementary and middle school students and research-based instruction;
• in-service development of new Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate teachers in schools that serve low-income families; and
• preservice development for 30,000 math and science professionals who will become adjunct high school teachers.

The ACI was signed into law in 2007 and has since been replaced by the America COMPETES Act. The cutoff date for grants appropriated and funded by this bill was December 31, 2008.

Funding

The initiative proposed an initial investment of $5.9 billion for FY 2007, with a long-term commitment of $50 billion in research funding and $86 billion in R&D tax incentives over 10 years. However, these figures were part of budget proposals, and actual funding levels depended on Congressional appropriations.

Implementation

Implementation involved:

• Proposing budget increases for R&D in key science agencies.
• Developing educational programs to enhance STEM learning.
• Advocating for tax policies to encourage private sector innovation.

The ACI as an initiative ended, with its objectives influencing subsequent policies and acts.

Related

• America COMPETES Act
• Office of Science and Technology Policy

External links

• https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/aci
• wikipedia:American Competitiveness Initiative
• The ACI Press Briefing held on February 1, 2006
• ACI Booklet from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)