Obama vows 3 percent of GDP for science research

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama on Monday will set a goal of devoting 3 percent of gross domestic product to science research in a speech in which he will also discuss a U.S. public health emergency over the flu virus.

"A half century ago, this nation made a commitment to lead the world in scientific and technological innovation," Obama will say in the speech at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT).

But he said investment in science had declined since that "high water mark."

"I am here today to set this goal: we will devote more than three percent of our GDP to research and development," Obama said in excerpts of the speech released by the White House.