Centre of Administration and Operation of the ASCR
Narodni 3
117 20 Praha 1
Czech Republic
25 July 2009
To whom it may concern:
It was disturbing to read in the 9 July 2009 issue of Nature that funding for basic research, primarily as it impacts the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, will be reduced. This move is very short-sighted and contrary to what is occurring in the United States. In the United States, funding for basic research, primarily within the National Science Foundation, is being increased as part of the overall economic stimulus plan. This increase is being done with the realization that basic research is the driving force from which more applied research and application are derived.
My vantage point is as someone who was a Fulbright scholar to the Czech Republic during Fall 2005, lecturing in geological sciences at both Charles University and at the Academy of Sciences. I also am currently doing research with a colleague from the Academy of Sciences concerning climatic and environmental change. It is obvious to me that most of the basic scientific research within the Czech Republic occurs at the Academy of Sciences. Especially since joining the EU, significant upgrading of the level of basic research has occurred at the Academy of Sciences. I am impressed with this research, both as I work with Czech colleagues and as I see their publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Judging the value of basic research is difficult. The global scientific community, however, moves via a "conversation" of scientists that is carried out through journal articles. This is how scientific progress occurs, and journal articles form the basis for subsequent advancements. In the United States and in other Western countries where I have worked, evaluation of individuals and programs is based upon the number and impact of peer-reviewed publications. It is disheartening to see the Czech Republic move in a different direction, especially after so much progress has been made.
Basic research cannot thrive without an adequate source of funding. If the Czech Republic is to continue to grow scientifically along with Western Europe, I urge a reconsideration of the plans to reduce funding for basic research. Rather, the Czech Republic would be better served by establishing a set of guidelines that rewards quality basic research, similar to Western Europe and the United States.
Sincerely,
Gary Kocurek
Professor and Gregory Chair of Sedimentary Geology
University of Texas
Austin, Texas, USA
Narodni 3
117 20 Praha 1
Czech Republic
25 July 2009
To whom it may concern:
It was disturbing to read in the 9 July 2009 issue of Nature that funding for basic research, primarily as it impacts the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, will be reduced. This move is very short-sighted and contrary to what is occurring in the United States. In the United States, funding for basic research, primarily within the National Science Foundation, is being increased as part of the overall economic stimulus plan. This increase is being done with the realization that basic research is the driving force from which more applied research and application are derived.
My vantage point is as someone who was a Fulbright scholar to the Czech Republic during Fall 2005, lecturing in geological sciences at both Charles University and at the Academy of Sciences. I also am currently doing research with a colleague from the Academy of Sciences concerning climatic and environmental change. It is obvious to me that most of the basic scientific research within the Czech Republic occurs at the Academy of Sciences. Especially since joining the EU, significant upgrading of the level of basic research has occurred at the Academy of Sciences. I am impressed with this research, both as I work with Czech colleagues and as I see their publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Judging the value of basic research is difficult. The global scientific community, however, moves via a "conversation" of scientists that is carried out through journal articles. This is how scientific progress occurs, and journal articles form the basis for subsequent advancements. In the United States and in other Western countries where I have worked, evaluation of individuals and programs is based upon the number and impact of peer-reviewed publications. It is disheartening to see the Czech Republic move in a different direction, especially after so much progress has been made.
Basic research cannot thrive without an adequate source of funding. If the Czech Republic is to continue to grow scientifically along with Western Europe, I urge a reconsideration of the plans to reduce funding for basic research. Rather, the Czech Republic would be better served by establishing a set of guidelines that rewards quality basic research, similar to Western Europe and the United States.
Sincerely,
Gary Kocurek
Professor and Gregory Chair of Sedimentary Geology
University of Texas
Austin, Texas, USA
cs 
