Don't quit the long game.

Raff-Heinen, Stefan; Murray, Fiona E · Science · 2025

editorial · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Living cells that produce biofuel; robots that assist factory workers; intelligent machines that guide drug discovery-these technologies are "deep" in that they achieve something extraordinary-often thought impossible-and push society forward. Indeed, so-called "deep tech" powers the future of medical breakthroughs, resilient energy grids, and clean industrial processes, among other frontiers. But deep tech requires more of everything to become a reality-research and development, specialized talent, time, risk-taking, and funding. The US government has been the world's largest investor in this enterprise. Yet cuts to federal support for deep tech threaten this entrepreneurial engine at its source-university labs. Without sustained federal support, the country risks losing its technological edge, threatening economic competitiveness and national security.