We highly recommend you read this recent speech by Michael Kratsios, new director of OSTP and sure to be a key voice in the Administration's upcoming science policy.

You should read it because of the style. It strikes some really good notes. Devotees of Peter Thiel will note some key aspects, such as the idea that America has been stagnating in technology since the 1970s and the goal of "energy too cheap to meter."

But if you don't have the time to read it, here's the policy highlights:

On the promotion side, Kratsios calls for smarter allocation of public R&D funding, prioritizing areas like AI, quantum, biotech, and advanced semiconductors. Funding mechanisms should include prizes, advance market commitments, and fast, flexible grants to accelerate innovation.

He argues for overhauling outdated regulations that hinder energy, transportation, and aerospace development, particularly nuclear energy, supersonic travel, and flying cars.

Intriguingly, Kratsios called for the federal government to act as an early adopter of domestic technologies. The federal government should also aggressively support their export, with the idea that promoting the US tech stack globally will help establish American standards and strengthen international alliances.

On the protection side, the agenda focuses on securing intellectual property, tightening research security, and restricting foreign access to sensitive data. International collaborations will face increased scrutiny.

Supply chains and infrastructure must be secured through reshoring, investment incentives, and public-private partnerships. The U.S. must reduce reliance on Chinese components and prevent adversarial control over critical systems.

Export controls should be strict and simple, enforced with an America-first approach. Advanced technologies must be kept from geopolitical competitors, especially China.

Finally, Kratsios, also intriguingly, urged builders and innovators to re-engage politically.

Overall, as the Administration's innovation agenda comes into focus from great ambitions to practical policies, it's looking good.

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