The White House has released the “Science: A New Golden Age” report.
It calls for shifting from institution-centered support to a scientist- and mission-centered framework.
Federal agencies must submit implementation plans within 90 days.
The U.S. government plans to overhaul its national R&D system around artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nuclear fusion and next-generation semiconductors. It aims to redesign the basic structure of U.S. science and technology policy formed after World War II—some 80 years ago—and use AI to boost both research productivity and industrial competitiveness.
On the 21st (local time), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, under Director Michael Kratsios, unveiled the “Science: A New Golden Age” report. The White House regards this document as the most comprehensive review of the U.S. science and technology system since Vannevar Bush’s 1945 report, “Science, The Endless Frontier.”
The report diagnoses that U.S. R&D policy, long run through traditional institutions and large-scale projects, has led to slow decision-making and weakened support for bold research. It proposes expanding support for individual scientists over institutions and diversifying funding allocation methods beyond consensus-based peer review.
Establishing new research organizations is also highlighted as a key task. The White House recommends expanding fast-action “X-Labs” and defense-advanced–research–projects–agency–style units, and creating meta-science bodies to continuously analyze the effectiveness of research support systems.
In strategic technology areas, mission-driven large-scale R&D projects will be strengthened. The government, industry, universities and private foundations will set joint goals and concentrate facilities and data to achieve them.
Major initiatives include the “Genesis Mission,” which aims to double U.S. research productivity using AI; the development of applied and scientific quantum computers; commercial fusion power demonstration by the mid-2030s; manned lunar exploration and base construction; and next-generation semiconductor technology development.
AI is singled out as the central tool in U.S. science and technology strategy. The government plans to invest ample resources in the Genesis Mission and develop science-foundation models in fields such as medicine, physics, chemistry and materials engineering.
It will also expand investments in high-quality research data, AI verification infrastructure and autonomous labs. The goal is to create research environments where robots and AI design, execute and analyze experiments, and transform existing institutions into “AI-native” organizations where machines and humans collaborate.
Policies to link scientific and technological outcomes to local economies and jobs are emphasized. Federal agencies will broaden hands-on technical training and apprenticeship programs in STEM education and extend research personnel structures beyond degree holders to include technicians and field experts.
Regional innovation clusters connecting research institutions with advanced manufacturing facilities will be established to ensure that the economic benefits of science and technology investment are spread across communities and industrial bases nationwide, rather than concentrated in a few research hubs or large corporations.
Alongside the report, the White House issued federal R&D priority guidance for FY 2028. All federal R&D agencies must submit concrete plans to implement the report’s recommendations within 90 days.
This policy shift demonstrates that U.S. science and technology competition is moving from supporting individual projects to a mission-focused, long-term investment system. By integrating AI, supercomputing, research data and manufacturing bases into a unified policy structure, the U.S. seeks to strengthen its technological hegemony.
There are important implications for Korea as well. Domestic R&D policy has been criticized for its fragmented projects across ministries, research institutes and universities, and its funding allocation and performance evaluation focused on short-term metrics.
As the U.S. expands mission-oriented research in AI, quantum, fusion and semiconductors, opportunities for collaboration with Korean companies and institutions may grow. Conversely, stronger U.S.–led technology standards and supply chains could increase Korea’s dependence on American systems.
Korea also needs to transition from an institution-centered support system to one centered on researchers and national strategic tasks. It must design policies that connect national research data, supercomputing and experimental facilities across universities, institutes and industry and set long-term technology goals.
The “Science: A New Golden Age” report shows that in the AI era, competitiveness is not determined solely by research budgets. The ability to integrate researchers, data, computing resources and manufacturing capabilities into a single national strategy will be at the core of future science, technology and industrial competitiveness.
