Named for the Partnership for Public Service's late founder who was inspired by President Kennedy's call to serve in 1963, these awards align with his vision of a dynamic and
innovative federal workforce that meets the needs of the American people.
Nonetheless, the
federal government remains the largest funder of basic research ($ 36.9 billion, 44 percent of total share), and is the primary driver of both
innovative research and the training of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
workforce.