If you read the science fiction series "The Three-Body Problem" (highly recommended), it makes a very compelling argument that fundamental research is the most important investment in the future.

For example, fusion drives, not traditional stored rocket propellant engines, will be necessary to navigate between planets and the outer solar system. Also, existing known behaviors/laws of physics aside, the book posits that colonization of other planets/stars in the universe requires achieving light speed travel (along with hibernation technology).

However, the other argument the book series makes is that there needs to be a strong motivator to get all the countries and economies of the world to focus on fundamental research and applying it.