NPI Praises Proposed Funding Increases for Key Science-Related Agencies

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 4, 2021) – The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology, is praising proposed increases for key science-related agencies in President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. The newly released budget outline proposes significant increases for the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Office of Science.

“The NPI applauds the Biden administration for making clear its commitment to advanced research and development in these critical agencies, particularly for expanded quantum research,” said Ed White, chair of the NPI Steering Committee and Vice President Test, Assembly and Packaging for AIM Photonics. “We are already actively working with members of Congress to secure increased funding for this research in the coming appropriations process. The research happening at these agencies is extremely exciting and full of promise. It is heartening to see continued support for the scientists working today to shape a better tomorrow.”

Specifically, President Biden’s proposed budget proposes: $10.3 billion for NSF, including $260 million for quantum-related research, a 23.8 percent increase over the previous year; $1.5 billion for NIST, including $61.8 million for quantum-related research, a 32.9 percent increase over the previous year; and, $7.4 billion for the DoE’s Office of Science, including $302 million for quantum-related research, an 11.9 percent increase over the previous year.

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About the NPI: The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) is a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics and the impact of photonics on our everyday lives; increase cooperation and coordination among US industry, government and academia to advance photonics-driven fields; and drive US funding and investment in areas of photonics critical to maintaining US economic competitiveness and national security. The initiative is being led by top scientific societies including the American Physical Society (APS), the IEEE Photonics Society, the Laser Institute of America (LIA), The Optical Society (OSA) and SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics. For more information visit www.lightourfuture.org.