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ASTRA, The Alliance for Science & Technology Research in America, is a unique collaboration of interested organizations and individuals representing the physical and mathematical sciences and engineering. Founded in 2001, ASTRA is dedicated to promoting better understanding of the physical & mathematical sciences and engineering.

Members of ASTRA include leading industries, professional societies and associations, universities, and individual scientists and researchers.

ASTRA members conduct policy research to educate the public about the linkages between scientific R&D funding and innovation, our standard of living, national security, and economic growth.

ASTRA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Dr. Mary Good
Dr. Mary Good

ASTRA was founded in 2001 by a group headed by Dr. Mary Good, former Undersecretary for Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce and currently Dean of the Donaghey School of Information Science and Engineering at the University of Arkansas.

From a core group of 18 key corporate, university and nonprofit and trade associations, in 2000, ASTRA has expanded its membership to 124 organizations and a nationwide network of about 32,000 individual scientists, engineers, technologists, researchers, professors students, policy makers and other individuals in 2008.

ASTRA's Board has adopted policy positions on many issues directly affecting federal funding of scientific research, as well as several others which are closely related to the success of the research enterprise.

ASTRA's mission is to focus on the need to maintain adequate funding of key science agencies. After reviewing and analyzing the situation, The ASTRA's Board determined that the top priorities for ASTRA will be to monitor, gather facts about, and disseminate information on funding for the following government agencies, all of which are top priorities for the science and technology community:


ASTRA also conducts education and advocacy on topics related to adequate research funding, including:

  • Workforce
  • Science Education
  • Industry Basic Research
Recent Events
ASTRA's Missions
  • Making the case for increased science funding.
  • Developing primary and secondary research about science funding.
  • Assisting other organizations to work within their own constituencies in terms of science advocacy.
  • Providing testimony and witnesses for Congress, the Administration and others about Science Policy.
  • Educating the general public.
  • Conducting Roundtables, Seminars and other events to help determine policy choices for the organized scientific community.
  • Linking individuals and institutions together.
  • Fostering the growth of coalitions and other forms of organization in promoting the Science enterprise.
  • Helping the S&T community be heard at all levels of government and in the media.
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The Alliance for Science & Technology Research in Amercia
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