Trump Administration Releases FY 2027 R&D Priorities Memo

On September 23, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued their annual memorandum to federal agencies outlining the Trump Administration’s research and development priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The memo is intended to inform the development of agencies’ FY 2027 budget requests.

The memo continues to prioritize critical and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. In addition, the Administration intends to focus on: “energy dominance,” including exploration of polar regions and oceans; national and economic security; health, including chronic diseases; and space exploration.

The memo further makes clear the Administration’s positions on particular research topics, stating: “Following years of unfocused Federal investments weighed down by woke ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, we are realigning the Federal R&D portfolio to serve its core purposes: driving economic growth and high-wage employment for all Americans, promoting high quality of life, and ensuring U.S. leadership in critical sectors to our national security.”

Elsewhere in the memo it states: “Funding programs may require reorganization to address changes in funding levels to focus on promising and high-value research. These programs should be consolidated and managed, as necessary, to focus research on efforts that produce meaningful outcomes.” This hints at the Administration’s ongoing interest in shaking up federal research programs to align with its priorities.