Computer Science Research Funding: How Much Is Too Little?
Abstract
A study of the historical and planned level of Department of Defense (DoD) funding in computer science (CS) research from the 2001-2011 DoD records has provided a top-level view of the current status of investment in this foundational technology. This study was triggered by university and Congressional concern that DoD has been reducing its investment in CS research. The study focused on two issues. First, has DoD CS funding to universities changed substantially year-to-year? Second, what was the trend in DoD funding of CS (e.g., absolute funding and ratio of CS funding to total science and technology (S&T) funding)? While the funding database provided by DoD agencies and components was limited, the study found that DoD maintains a significant and stable investment in CS and the related areas of information science (IS) and network and information technology (NIT). Overall, CS/IS/NIT constitutes 17.4 percent of the entire DoD science and technology (S&T) funding base. While top-line DoD funding shows out-year growth, a primary finding of this study is that the focus of the DoD research investment in NIT has shifted from basic research to more applied DoD applications. It remains to be seen whether the shift from basic CS research funding to applied research and advanced technology development in NIT will result in the kind of fundamental advances in technology enabled by an earlier generation of funding in CS research. However, total funding in NIT research and development from all Federal agencies has grown to over three billion dollars in 2008, with DoD contributing about a third. Current hindrances to academic research in DoD-sponsored NIT research have had the effect of limiting university participation in some DoD contracts and grant programs. These obstacles include prepublication review, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions, and short milestones for go/no-go decisions for program continuation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA502135
Entities
People
- Anup Ghosh
- Clifford Lau
- Elihu Zimet
- Stuart Starr
Organizations
- National Defense University