Morris W. Foster, president of the School for Advanced Research, delves into the changing landscape of academic research on college campuses. He highlights the historical evolution of two fundamental principles guiding American universities post-World War II: student-athletes engaging in sports for tuition benefits and federal funding driving basic science research. However, Foster points out the disruptive transformations unfolding in college athletics, including the shift towards “Name, Image and Likeness,” transfer portals, and conference realignment. These changes are symptomatic of a broader trend where external commercial funding sources are reshaping the traditional structure of college sports, altering recruitment practices, rivalry dynamics, and gameplay strategies.
Similarly, the economic foundation of academic research has been gradually transitioning over the past few decades. Foster underscores the Trump administration’s politicization of university science as a critical turning point. While federal funding for basic research has risen in nominal terms since 2000, the proportion of federal agency support for basic research has declined from 60% to 40%. Concurrently, business investments in research and development activities have outstripped federal R&D spending, underscoring a significant shift in research funding sources. Despite this, federal grants and contracts still constituted over 73% of external research funds dispensed by universities in 2023, indicating a heavy reliance on federal support.
Foster delves into the implications of the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, which granted universities intellectual property rights over inventions originating from federally funded projects. While this legislation aimed to facilitate commercialization and technology transfer, it inadvertently created barriers between academic and business research. The act effectively positioned universities as contenders for intellectual property, hindering collaboration with businesses on basic research initiatives. Foster emphasizes that these regulations have constrained the flow of scientific research and stifled innovation by fostering a competitive environment around intellectual property ownership.
In his previous role as vice president for research at Old Dominion University, Foster encountered challenges in aligning federal contracting rules with commercial entities engaged in research partnerships. Drawing parallels with the NCAA’s governance of college athletics, he highlights the limitations of applying uniform regulatory standards derived from federal funding to all academic research endeavors. This approach has hindered universities’ participation in business-funded basic science, impeding innovation and knowledge exchange across sectors.
Foster advocates for a more flexible and collaborative approach to research partnerships between universities and businesses. He proposes strategies such as tailoring federal regulations to specific projects, enabling universities to opt-out of IP ownership from federally funded ventures, and establishing investment collectives for IP access. By fostering more fluid and mutually beneficial research collaborations, universities can serve as intermediaries in brokering partnerships between diverse entities across sectors, driving innovation and scientific advancements.
In conclusion, Foster underscores the need for universities to adapt to the evolving research funding landscape by embracing new models that promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Just as college athletics are evolving to meet changing demands, academic research must also embrace fresh tools and strategies to thrive in a dynamic and competitive environment where traditional frameworks may no longer suffice. Morris W. Foster’s insights shed light on the complexities and opportunities inherent in reshaping the future of academic research in the context of shifting funding paradigms and regulatory frameworks.
