Senator Clinton calls her Innovation Agenda: Investing in Ideas and Creating High-Wage Jobs of the Future!
As a way of Background, Senator Clinton emphasized that America is still an "innovation superpower." Further, "we have the world’s best university system, an entrepreneurial culture, and the availability of risk capital. Also, we spend more than $300 billion a year on research and development (approximately 2.7% of GDP), more than any other nation." And finally, "Our products and services are in demand the world over. Last year, Americans captured all of the Nobel Prizes in science."
Yet, Senator Clinton points out the real Challenges facing Americans today: "Other nations are increasingly investing in their innovation infrastructure, positioning themselves to challenge our leadership. In the last 12 years, China has doubled the percentage of GDP dedicated to R&D, and over that same period GDP itself doubled. Also, our share of the world’s scientists and engineers has declined, and too few American college students are preparing themselves for these careers. Fewer than 20% of American undergraduates are earning degrees in science or engineering, compared with more than 50% in China. And, we now rank 25th in broadband deployment."
Finally, Senator Clinton proposes a 9-point plan aka Innovation Agenda. Here are the key 9 points that presidential hopeful Clinton provided to the leaders of Silicon Valley and the nation at large:
1. Establish a $50-billion Strategic Energy Fund
2. Increase the basic research budgets 50% over 10 years at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and the Defense Department
- Increase research focus on the physical sciences and engineering
- Require that federal research agencies set aside at least 8% of their research budgets for discretionary funding of high-risk research
- Ensure that e-science initiatives are adequately funded
- Boost support for multidisciplinary research in areas such as the intersection of bio, info, and nanotechnologies
- Increase investment in the non-health applications of biotechnology in order to fuel 21st century industry
5. Triple the number of NSF fellowships and increase the size of each award by 33 percent
6. Support initiatives to bring more women and minorities into the math, science, and engineering professions
7. Support initiatives to establish leadership in broadband
8. Overhaul the R&E tax credit to make the U.S. a more attractive location for high-paying jobs
9. Restore integrity to science policy
Bottomline:
Senator Clinton's Innovation Agenda is bold and definitely "wooed Silicon Valley campaign contributors and voters." Many elements of the proposed plan such as the strategic energy fund, research budgets and focus, nsf fellowships, women and minorities, and multidisciplinary research are needed now. Although the plan is still forming, and senator Clinton even asks everyone to provide their inputs and feedback, it is a good step towards innovation progress and success. One suggestion I made today on her website was to create a separate office for entrepreneurship that drives innovation. Although entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley is second nature, one cannot say the same for the entire country. As a blogger on Creativity and Innovation driving business, it is great to witness Senator Clinton put forth a plan for Innovation to drive America and Amerian business forward. Perhaps Americans at large will listen to her agenda, participate, and provide feedback, which in turn should definitely benefit her presidential campaign.
Also check out:
Senator Barack Obama -- Bold Innovations and Opportunities
President Clinton - Innovations in Philanthropy
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