Core Insights - The article discusses the significant reduction in funding for basic scientific research in the United States, particularly highlighting the impact on mathematics research and the long-term consequences for innovation and technology development [2][3][4]. Funding Cuts - The National Science Foundation (NSF) plans to cut basic science funding by more than half by 2025, with the upcoming budget proposal indicating further substantial reductions [4]. - In mathematics, funding has dropped to $32 million this year, compared to an average of $113 million over the past decade, equating to less than $0.22 per person annually, down from $0.80 [4]. Impact on Research and Innovation - The reduction in funding has led to difficulties in maintaining basic research activities, with many innovative projects relying on a small number of volunteers [3][4]. - The lack of long-term investment in basic research is expected to delay or prevent key technological advancements, affecting the growth of the next generation of innovators and the country's long-term competitiveness [3][6]. Indirect Contributions of Basic Research - Basic mathematical research, while seemingly distant from practical applications, plays a crucial role in driving broader scientific ecosystems and ultimately leads to real-world applications [6][7]. - For example, methods developed from theoretical explorations in high-dimensional space have become essential tools for solving practical problems in telecommunications, such as efficient signal encoding [7].