Foreigners: Thanks for keeping U.S. No. 1 in science and tech

The United States remains atop the world when it comes to science and technology leadership, and in no small part this is due to the influx of foreign students and scientists, according to a new study by nonprofit research outfit RAND Corp.

While concerns are aired regularly by tech executives, including those from Microsoft and Intel, about the lack of government and corporate funding for tech R&D in the U.S., the 189-page RAND study ("U.S. Competitiveness in Science and Technology") shows that the U.S. still blows away other countries when it comes to science.

The U.S. accounts for 40% of the world's spending on scientific R&D, employs 70% of its Nobel Prize winners and hosts three-quarters of the top 40 universities. U.S R&D investments rates have actually exceeded those of Europe and Japan in recent years, the report says.

To keep its lead, the U.S. will need to continue attracting science experts and retaining students from other countries, the study concludes, as China and Europe are graduating more scientists and engineers annually than the U.S. these days.

"Much of the concern about the United States losing its edge as the world's leader in science and technology appears to be unfounded," said Titus Galama, co-author of the report and a management scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "But the United States cannot afford to be complacent. Effort is needed to make sure the nation maintains or even extends its standing."

RAND warns that the U.S. needs to bolster science and tech learning in grades K-12 and be careful about over-restrictive H1-B visa rules.

It also cautions that a loss in tech/science leadership "could hurt the U.S. economy,  living standards and national security."