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The article disagrees with the widely accepted notion that there is a shortage of technical professionals in the U.S. According to the author, there are no objective data suggesting general shortages of scientists and engineers. In fact, some researchers even suggest the empirical evidence points more toward a surplus than a shortage.

Discusses issues concerning the supposed shortage of scientists and engineers in the U.S. Information on a report released by the National Science Board of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in June 2003 concerning the status of supply and demand for scientists and engineers; Findings of a 2003 RAND study regarding labor shortages; Implications of documentary evidence uncovered by economist Eric Weinstein regarding the intent of the labor shortage reports given by the NSF in the 1980s.

In this article the authors discuss their concerns on the stimulus funding in the U.S. An economist from Harvard College states that insufficient funds will worsen prospects for young researchers. They also cite the encouragement of the president of Arizona State University for a shift to outcome-based research. A journalist from Washington, DC offers that existing agencies can be outdone by a new virtual agency.

The article presents opinion on the claims of workforce shortages or shortfalls in the science and engineering sectors in the U.S. Sufficiency of demand in labor markets for the professional services of scientists and engineers is essential. Job experiences in science and engineering are not commendable compared with other professions. The reports regarding the sufficiency of production of scientists and engineers should consider the factors that affect the appeal of the professions.

The article reports on the status of the funding of the National Institute of Health in the U.S. Because of the dwindling budget of the institution, it has a damaging effects on the biomedical research, thus officials are calling for large increases in its budget. But politicians responded such call with skepticism, as the NIH budget is already very large and was doubled over the five-year period, from 1998 to 2003. Special worries are expressed by NIH leadership about the impact of this difficult situation on junior scientists and the ability of established investigators to maintain their laboratories.