Enlightenment from the new round of national innovation subject construction plan in the United States

China Energy Storage Network: In recent years, the United States has faced unprecedented challenges from emerging countries in the fields of artificial intelligence, 5G, quantum science, etc. In order to solve the two long-standing problems of the fragmented innovation chain and excessive administrative supervision in the scientific research system, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) first proposed the concept of the Future Industry Research Institute in June 2020, and further refined the design plan and construction steps of the Future Industry Research Institute in January 2021. This is a new round of national innovation subject construction plan initiated by the federal government in the United States since then-President Obama proposed the establishment of the Manufacturing Innovation Institute in 2012.

Innovation is the core of my country's overall modernization construction during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. Scientific and technological self-reliance is the strategic support for national development. Comparative analysis of the U.S. Future Industries Institute and the Manufacturing Innovation Institute is of reference significance for my country to promote the construction of new innovation entities.

01. Similarities between the two types of research institutes

1. In terms of strategic vision, both emphasize maintaining the United States’ global economic leadership.

In March 2012, the U.S. federal government announced that it would build a National Manufacturing Innovation Network1 (NNMI) consisting of interconnected Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (IMIs) across the country, aiming to solve the "valley of death" problem between basic research and commercialization, and accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and large-scale commercial applications. The Manufacturing Innovation Institute has continuously improved the innovation capabilities of the U.S. manufacturing industry by laying out key areas of manufacturing and focusing on the supply and application of common key technologies, thereby maintaining the U.S.'s position as a global manufacturing leader. The Future Industries Institute aims to build a new model of multi-subject cooperation in the U.S. innovation ecosystem to respond to major social challenges in the new era, improve people's quality of life, ensure future national and economic security, and maintain and consolidate its position as a global leader in science and technology.

In general, the Institute of Manufacturing Innovation emphasizes maintaining the United States' position as a global manufacturing leader, while the Institute of Future Industries emphasizes seeking to become a leader in future industry technology. These are just specific directions proposed by the United States at different times and under different circumstances. In fact, the ultimate vision is to maintain the United States' overall competitive advantage and core leadership in the global economy.

(II) In terms of operation and management, both adopt network development and multi-agent joint governance

From a macro perspective, both adhere to a networked development model and establish leadership organizations for the entire innovation network. The National Manufacturing Innovation Network has established a network leadership committee composed of representatives from various research institutes, federal departments, and other relevant agencies to supervise and manage public affairs at the level of the entire innovation network, form a unified solution, and actively seek opportunities for resource sharing among various research institutes. The Future Industries Research Institute will set up a National Future Industries Research Institute Office to promote exchanges and collaboration among various research institutes, ensure the smooth implementation of the mission, vision, and values ​​of each research institute, and plan and manage research, education, and workforce development activities related to the future industries of the United States.

From the perspective of micro-governance, both have established management organizations composed of representatives from academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations, emphasizing the use of industry-university-research collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation to solve the problems of achievement transformation and resource sharing of a single research institute. The Manufacturing Innovation Research Institute discusses and deliberates on its work through a board of directors composed of key stakeholders; the Future Industry Research Institute continues the board of directors management model. In addition to key stakeholders, the board of directors will also absorb external experts in the fields of data security, project evaluation, ethics, etc., who will jointly take charge of daily guidance and supervision and management.

(III) In terms of funding sources, both choose diversified investment channels guided by the government

The funding for the Manufacturing Innovation Institute is a combination of federal government investment and supporting funds (providers include state governments, local governments, manufacturing companies, research universities, community colleges, non-profit organizations, etc.), and the investment ratio of the two parts is less than 1:1. In the early stage of establishment, the federal government's investment can be the largest, but after 2-3 years, the federal government's investment will continue to decrease. After 5-7 years, the Manufacturing Innovation Institute will no longer rely on federal funds, but will obtain sustainable income in a flexible form of operation, such as membership fees, service fees, contract-commissioned research or product trials, intellectual property royalties, etc.

The funding sources of the Future Industries Research Institute have shown phased characteristics as each institute develops. In the initial stage, the Future Industries Research Institute relied on the budgets of multiple federal government departments to jointly establish a "seed fund" to leverage social investment; in the mature stage, as the operating model gradually matures and the business model achieves self-sufficiency, federal funds gradually withdraw. The Future Industries Research Institute will develop creative financing channels, further promote multi-department participation, and reduce the administrative burden that comes with federal funds.

02. Differences between the two types of research institutes

(I) In terms of the innovation chain, the Manufacturing Innovation Research Institute has broken through the "valley of death" of the innovation chain, while the Future Industry Research Institute covers all links of the innovation chain.

The Manufacturing Innovation Institute is committed to solving the problem of insufficient government support for the innovation link between basic research and large-scale production, aiming to fill the gap between scientific research concepts, research discoveries and basic inventions and the development of manufacturing capabilities and large-scale production in the United States. By connecting with the major needs of the US manufacturing industry, the Manufacturing Innovation Institute emphasizes deeper engineering development and commercial application of technologies with a certain degree of maturity, focusing on relevant technologies at levels 4-7 in technology maturity.

The main goal of the Future Industry Research Institute is to promote the integration of the entire innovation chain from basic and applied research to the industrialization of new technologies, solve the problem of separation between different links in the innovation chain, and strive to promote seamless cooperation among various parts of the US science and technology infrastructure to achieve one-stop innovation of "theoretical exploration-basic research-engineering pilot-industrialization". In the specific plan, each Future Industry Research Institute will establish a one-stop R&D chain from original innovation to large-scale commercial use in accordance with the strategic direction of its respective field. This chain is a full-view innovation chain covering technology maturity levels from level 1 to level 9.

▲The two types of research institutes focus on different links in the innovation chain

(II) In terms of layout, the Manufacturing Innovation Research Institute focuses on the sub-sectors of advanced manufacturing, while the Future Industry Research Institute aims to seize the commanding heights of future industry competition

The Manufacturing Innovation Institute was established against the backdrop of the serious hollowing out of the U.S. manufacturing industry. It aims to promote the revival of traditional manufacturing in the U.S. and accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing to advanced manufacturing, with a focus on advanced manufacturing fields such as manufacturing processes, advanced materials, and enabling technologies. Each innovation institute is responsible for a unique and clear focus area, and conducts scientific and technological innovation in product manufacturability, manufacturing processes, and technologies.

The Future Industries Research Institute is an innovative plan proposed by the United States to cope with the dual challenges of the evolution of the new scientific and technological revolution and the pressure of catching up from latecomer countries. The purpose is to seize the commanding heights of science and technology to maintain its technological dominance. The Future Industries Research Institute pays close attention to the five major future industries of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology, and advanced communication networks. By conducting research and innovation in the cross-integration of at least two industries, it solves major social problems that urgently need to be solved in American society.