Science as Public Infrastructure: A New Social Contract for Discovery

Modern science moves faster than ever. Global networks connect brilliant minds. Yet sudden political shifts shake the foundation. Years of hard-won knowledge face uncertainty. Budgets tighten. Research facilities fall behind. The old model of support needs reinvention.

Enter the Discovery Compact. This proposal treats scientific discovery as public infrastructure. It calls for a collective agreement among governments, researchers, businesses, and the public. Five guiding rules shape the plan. One rule demands we see discovery as essential national infrastructure. Another allows swift progress without sacrificing quality. A third focuses on growing talent through openness and mobility. A fourth ensures discoveries stay available for future use. Finally, the fifth pillar guarantees democratic legitimacy and resilient institutions.