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Be countedYou’ve heard the myths
Academic science is expensive and inefficient. It’s too far removed from the public. And private industry can do it faster and at lower costs.
But here’s the truth: Academic research is the frontline of discovery, and discovery isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of America’s economic vitality. That investment pays off in industries built, jobs created, and communities strengthened. But right now, it’s in jeopardy—with consequences that threaten Cornell, New York State’s tech economy, and industries across the U.S.
What’s at stake
The situation unfolding in Cornell nanoscience shows how far the losses could spread. After nearly five decades of NSF support, federal funding for the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) is now in limbo. If funding doesn’t resume, CNF may be forced to scale back—directly impacting hundreds of researchers, local and regional startups, and companies that rely on this work.
Why CNF matters
- CNF’s users come from all over the U.S. and the world. They help people do groundbreaking micro- and nanoscale work on everything from cancer research to microelectronics and quantum computing.
- Nearly 200 businesses have turned to CNF to prototype and test new technologies.
- More than 36,000 people have benefited from CNF’s education and outreach efforts.
- CNF has supported 563 researchers in the last 18 months alone.
- CALS researchers recently used CNF to prototype a device that could make fertility treatments faster, safer, and more accessible.
The ROI is clear. CNF and other shared academic facilities pay off big for the public. This isn’t a benefit private companies could replicate—nor do they have the financial incentive to do so.
The NSF actually looked at what is the return on the federal dollar in supporting shared facilities. The return was more than tenfold. Any support in early product development and basic science, at the end, is translated to commercial products that help us, the taxpayers.
—Judy Cha, the Lester B. Knight Director of the CNF and professor of materials science and engineering
We’re listening. How are your conversations going? What other myths are you hearing? Email us at alumniaffairs@cornell.edu and let us know.
