Nearly 180 business, education, and scientific organizations have signed on to a letter urging the next president to appoint a cabinet-rank science adviser by Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009.

In letters sent to both Barack Obama and John McCain the groups urge that “domestic and international challenges such as health care, energy costs, U.S. economic competitiveness, and global climate change will require scientific and technological ingenuity,” according to a press release from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“It is therefore critical that the next president seek out and rely upon sound scientific and technological advice early and often in the new administration,” the organizations wrote. “It is essential that you be prepared to quickly appoint a science adviser who is a nationally respected leader with the appropriate scientific, management and policy skills necessary for this critically important role.”

The organizations also noted that President Bush did not appoint a scientific adviser, John H. Marburger III, until June 25, 2001. Mr. Marburger, they said, was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate until late in October that year, “after key policies on climate change and stem-cell research already had been announced by the White House.”