SPIE calls on photonics industry to defend US investment in science and technology

12 May 2025

International society for optics and photonics raises the alarm to protect US Federal Funding.

Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has been busy upending long-held relationships, with wide-ranging impacts. One such relationship has been the 80-plus year partnership between the US government and the science and research communities. Whether through one of his 147 and counting executive orders, the threats to universities and institutions over DEI or other issues counter to the Administration’s views, or the 2026 budget proposal it’s clear that the longstanding investment in science by the federal government is facing new opposition and the photonics industry is not immune to the current and proposed changes.

Noting the extremes of what is being proposed, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, has launched an advocacy campaign declaring that community action is needed now “to support the optics, photonics, and STEM community that brings so much benefit to our society”. This month, the society has added relevant news items and background information to its website to inform and drive its US-based membership and constituents to act.

‘Investment in photonics provides a remarkable return’

The Society explains that investment in optics and photonics has provided a remarkable return to society and created technology integral to modern life. Photonics supports a wide range of sectors across an industry growing faster than worldwide GDP, creating $350 billion in annual revenue that underpins a $2.5 trillion annual global market in photonics-enabled products.

However, SPIE notes that innovation and good fortune alone have not achieved this success. The statement continues: “It is the result of judicious and sustained private and public investment in research, development, engineering, and manufacturing. Public research and development have directly supported many breakthroughs and technologies that have resulted in products and services that are important, and in some cases, critical elements of modern civilization.”

“Today, in the US, this public investment is under attack. This is a dire national problem, but with profound global implications because of the international collaborations that accelerate innovation. Under the guise of eliminating ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ federally-supported science and engineering activities that are objectively beneficial, trustworthy, and supported by the public are being eliminated and degraded at federal laboratories and universities throughout the US.”

The statement concludes: “Prioritizing the expenditure of taxpayer receipts and ensuring responsible use of such funds is an important role of government and public policy. Arbitrary and uninformed cuts to R&D programs justified with misleading or false narratives disregard this responsibility, and the ensuing degradation of our valuable scientific enterprise will cause both immediate and long-term damage to our economy, security, health, and well-being.”

‘We must act before it is too late’

Under the heading “Protect Federal Funding for Science and Technology,” SPIE urges its members and others interested in ensuring the future of the industry and the US science infrastructure to contact their elected officials in Washington, D.C., and ask them to stand up for science and fight for the funding that advances much of the research and development in the United States. While SPIE is working with many coalitions to promote the cause, direct communication from voters will have the greatest impact on upcoming budget discussions. SPIE provides tools on its site to facilitate sending emails to Senators and Representatives, making this action easy to complete.

In addition, the updated website includes letters and public comments that SPIE has signed on to, pushing for continued and increased funding for science generally and optics and photonics more specifically. The Society, with its annual Global Industry Report and Salary Report, is well-positioned to comment on the value of the photonics industry in terms of jobs created and financial valuation. With the strong message to the community to stand up for science, the updated advocacy tools, and their DC-based public policy team, SPIE appears prepared to ensure the voices of the optics and photonics industry are heard as the current administration continues its attempts at dismantling the US science enterprise.