CANBERRA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Academy of Science (AAS) has called for an emergency National Science and Technology Council meeting in response to growing threats to Australia's strategic R&D capability.

The threats particularly came from the unpredictability of its key ally, the United States, according to an AAS statement on Friday.

The United States has cut funding to at least six Australian universities, including the Australian National University, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Thursday.

While the United States remains a crucial research partner, Australia must proactively manage risks and reduce over-reliance on a single strategic ally, the statement said.

"Under these circumstances, Australia must assess and manage risks and set policy pathways so we are not over-reliant on one strategic partner, and be poised and ready to face an uncertain future," said AAS President Chennupati Jagadish.

As the United States is Australia's largest research partner, in 2024 alone, U.S. government research funding involving Australian research organizations totaled 386 million Australian dollars (242.83 million U.S. dollars). This does not include in-kind contributions or provision of critical research infrastructure, according to Jagadish.

He cited an example that 40 percent of Australian publications in the physical sciences involve U.S. collaborators in strategic areas including quantum science, space science and others.

The AAS warned that disruptions to U.S.-funded research could impact essential services, including vaccine development, weather forecasting, GPS communications, and defense technology.

To safeguard the research, the AAS called on the Australian government to convene an emergency meeting of the National Science and Technology Council, chaired by the prime minister, to assess Australia's exposure to U.S. research investment and develop risk mitigation strategies.

It urged the government to attract top global talent by capitalizing on the exodus of researchers from the United States through a rapid talent recruitment program, the statement said.

The AAS suggested authorities expand international research partnerships beyond the United States. Enditem

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