Remarks by Director Michael Kratsios at the Science: A New Golden Age Summit
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Date: Oct. 8, 2026
Good morning, and thank you all for being here. It has been encouraging to see “Science: A New Golden Age” receive such a warm reception. The enthusiasm from leaders across government, industry, philanthropy, and academia is thrilling as we work to remake the American science enterprise for the 21st Century.
The American people deserve a science ecosystem that is bold and ambitious, aiming to solve grand national challenges and fostering a community that believes in the power of fundamental discovery to improve daily life. This summit is an opportunity to share such a vision for the future, highlighting the small steps and giant leaps being taken.
The Genesis of “Science: A New Golden Age”
This initiative was born from President Trump’s vision to:
- Maintain and extend American technological leadership.
- Ensure all Americans benefit from emerging technologies.
- Revitalize the research enterprise by empowering scientists.
Since Vannevar Bush’s Endless Frontier in 1945, the landscape of science has radically transformed. The U.S. research ecosystem today, with significant advances in funding and methodologies, requires an update that the federal government can lead.
Transformative Changes in Science
The private sector and philanthropy now play crucial roles in American basic science, with private funding for fundamental research increasing fivefold over the last two decades. The traditional linear model of innovation, which assumed a sequential pipeline from research to commercialization, has evolved. Today’s innovation cycle is iterative, with a new emphasis on super intelligence affecting research across disciplines.
“Science: A New Golden Age” aims to adapt to this changing landscape. My team at the White House has driven a comprehensive government effort to fulfill this vision, resulting in significant accomplishments.
- $1.5 billion commitment over 10 years for X-Labs, dedicated to addressing pressing scientific challenges.
- The NSF’s Graduate Research Fellows Program saw its largest cohort ever this spring, promoting maximum flexibility for young scientists.
New Initiatives Announced
Today, I am excited to announce a comprehensive suite of science initiatives, the most ambitious since World War II:
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Genesis Mission: A super intelligence initiative mobilizing over 15 federal agencies with a commitment of $5 billion to tackle National Science and Technology Challenges.
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In space exploration, the Artemis Program aims to return Americans to the Moon by 2028 and establish a moonbase by 2030.
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Our fusion roadmap targets commercial activity by the mid-2030s, and nuclear energy initiatives are set to revitalize America’s atomic energy infrastructure.
International Collaboration
The Kyoto Vision for a Golden Age of Science, endorsed by 17 countries, demonstrates international commitment to scientific progress and shared diplomatic priorities in science and technology.
Launch of New Initiatives
I am proud to announce several initiatives:
- Genesis Mission industry partners are committing $2.4 billion in computational resources for research.
- A $100 million investment from the NSF and DOE in developing instrumentation for autonomous science.
- The American Science and Security Platform will federate 190 key datasets across 14 federal agencies.
Emphasis on Metascience
To enhance the scientific enterprise, we are institutionalizing continuous improvement:
- Launching the Office of Metascience at the NSF to encourage innovative research funding.
- NASA and DOE are implementing new metascience initiatives to refine research merit review processes.
Institutional Support for Young Scientists
To support early-career scientists, we’re renewing the NSF Young Scholars Program and launching a $50 million NextGen Workforce Program, aiming for expedited Ph.D. paths.
Addressing Administrative Burden
To alleviate the documentation burden faced by researchers, NSF and NIH are streamlining funding applications to promote more efficient research practices.
A Call to Action
In partnership with various sectors, the government aims to set clear goals and priorities for America’s research enterprise. We must respond to the transformative world shaped by technological change to restore our leadership in science.
Together, we can unleash a Golden Age of Science in America.
Thank you.
