The National Science Foundation is opening its doors to public input on emerging technology priorities in an unprecedented move that could reshape America’s innovation landscape. This initiative represents a critical shift in how federal research funding decisions are made, potentially democratizing the process of determining which technologies receive crucial development support.
Last week, the NSF released a request for information seeking public perspectives on ten key technology areas, including artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and robotics. This unusual step invites stakeholders from across the spectrum—industry professionals, academic researchers, and even everyday citizens—to help shape national research priorities.
“The NSF is acknowledging something vital here: that technology development shouldn’t happen in isolation from the public it ultimately affects,” explained Dr. Marcus Chen, director of the Technology Ethics Center at Stanford University, during our recent conversation. “This represents a fundamental rethinking of how research agendas are determined.”
The timing couldn’t be more significant. With global technology competition intensifying, particularly between the United States and China, federal agencies are under pressure to make strategic investments that maintain American leadership while addressing societal needs. The NSF’s annual budget of approximately $9.5 billion makes it one of the nation’s largest funders of basic research, according to data from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Having covered numerous technology policy developments over the years, I’ve rarely seen such an explicit invitation for broad participation in setting research priorities. The RFI specifically targets input on technologies with “high potential for promoting U.S. technological competitiveness and addressing societal challenges.”
The ten focus areas identified include artificial intelligence, advanced computing (including quantum information systems), advanced communications technology, advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, semiconductor and microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, advanced materials, natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation, and robotics.
During last month’s Emerging Tech Summit in San Francisco, I witnessed firsthand the growing concern among industry leaders about alignment between federal research priorities and real-world needs. This initiative appears designed to address precisely that gap.
“This represents a real opportunity for practitioners working on the ground with these technologies to highlight overlooked challenges and opportunities,” noted Dr. Samira Johnson, chief innovation officer at TechFuture Labs, who I spoke with after the announcement. “The question is whether the NSF will receive sufficiently diverse input to make meaningful adjustments to its funding focus.”
The solicitation asks respondents to identify specific research challenges within these domains, potential societal impacts, and suggestions for how NSF might address risks while maximizing benefits. It also seeks information on opportunities for public-private partnerships and workforce development needs—critical factors in transforming research into real-world applications.
What makes this effort particularly notable is its timing relative to other federal technology initiatives. The CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022, authorized substantial increases to the NSF’s budget specifically for technology development. According to the Computing Research Association, this legislation represented the most significant science funding authorization in decades.
Public comments will be accepted through March 6, 2023, with submitted information potentially influencing future funding opportunities and program designs. The agency has emphasized that responses should focus on research and development rather than regulatory matters.
For those working in emerging technology fields, this presents a rare chance to directly influence national research priorities. Having witnessed previous disconnects between funded research and practical implementation challenges, I believe this consultation could help bridge persistent gaps if it attracts diverse participation.
The stakes extend beyond immediate funding decisions. Technologies like AI, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing are poised to transform entire industries while raising profound questions about everything from privacy to economic displacement. Public input could help ensure these considerations are addressed earlier in the development cycle.
As NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan noted in the foundation’s recent press briefing, “Creating meaningful pathways for diverse voices to shape our research agenda strengthens both the scientific enterprise and our society.”
For those interested in contributing perspectives, the NSF has established a dedicated portal for submissions, with guidelines emphasizing the need for specific, actionable recommendations rather than general commentary.
Whether this consultation represents a one-time effort or signals a more permanent shift toward inclusive priority-setting remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the boundaries between technology development, public interest, and national strategy are increasingly blurred—a reality this initiative appears designed to address.
