A Midland scheme that gets A level students conducting nationally relevant research should be funded by the Government, Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins said.
Mr Collins made his comments during a conference at the institute spearheading the drive - Warwick School.
The unique programme sees teenagers as young as 16 taking part in research of global importance, such as finding cures for cancer and asthma.
It aims to fire the imagination of youngsters who are deserting the sciences in droves in favour of 'soft' options like media studies.
Five other Midland schools are involved in the scheme but Warwick believes a national roll-out holds the key to rekindling interest in the field.
Mr Collins said he was surprised no Government money had been provided, despite attempts by the school to get cash.
"I would like to see the project expanded so that a wider number of participants were able to benefit," he said.
Warwick School has so far managed to raise £50,000 from private sponsors and science bodies.
The Government recently admitting more needed to be done to secure the future of the sciences following the closure of a number of university science departments.
But when approached by Dr Mo Afzal - Warwick School's head of science who masterminded the scheme - Government-funding agencies refused to give money.
Professor Howard Dalton, a chief Governmental science adviser, also gave his support for the drive.
"This sort of programme should be encouraged because UK plc will reduce its influence in science and technology on an international scale if we don't continue to invest in our youngsters," he said.
Mr Afzal urged the professor to call on Tony Blair to give his backing to the pioneering initiative.
"I hope this guy now goes to Blair and says give us another £50,000 to get this project advanced on a national level."
Warwick believes a national expansion, linked to universities, would serve as an antidote to the National Curriculum, which it believes is outdated and failing to excite pupils.
