news of the week F E BRUARY 1 1 , 2008 E DI T E D BY W I L L I A M G. SC H UL Z & A L I C I A J. C H A MBE RS
PATCHY INCREASES FOR R&D
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receive $4.7 billion, a 19% increase; NSF’s funding would rise 16% to $5.2 billion; and the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s laboratory budget would rise 4% to $634 million. FEDERAL SPENDING: Proposed Commenting at his agency’s budget research funding is way up for briefing, NSF Director Arden L. Bement Jr. said: “Increased federal investments some agencies, down for others in research and education are imperative now to sustain our comparative advantages in a flattening world. The NSF budEDERAL SPENDING on research and developget for 2009 reflects that commitment.” ment would be $147 billion in fiscal 2009 under The proposed spending for other mathe proposed budget released by the Bush Adminjor research agencies is flat or declining. istration on Feb. 4. That would be a 3% increase over NIH would get no increase at all next fiscal 2008 spending, according to figures from the year. Its budget would be fixed at $29.3 White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB). “Overall, the increase in the total federal science and billion, the same as in fiscal 2008. And despite continuing long-term energy contechnology budget is modest,” said John H. Marburger cerns, spending at DOE’s Office of EnerIII, director of the White House Office of Science & gy Efficiency & Renewable Energy would Technology Policy, at a press conference. “But it is a be cut 17% to $1.2 billion. Research fundreflection of the Administration’s priorities.” ing at NASA next year would be down 7% to $5.5 billion. Also, FISCAL 2009 research at the Department of President’s proposal gives boost to Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service is physical science agencies slated for a 7% cut to $1.0 billion. Multiagency programs touted by the AdCHANGE $ MILLIONS 2007a 2008 b 2009c 2008–09 ministration would get some increases. The Defense $78,329 $80,192 $80,494 0.4% National Nanotechnology Initiative, formed Health & Human 29,201 29,475 29,480 0.0 to create materials, devices, and systems that Services exploit the distinct properties of matter at NASA 9,952 10,436 10,737 2.9 the molecular level, would receive $1.5 bilEnergy 8,522 9,739 10,558 8.4 NSF 4,479 4,500 5,201 15.6 lion next year, up 2%. Likewise, the Climate Agriculture 2,275 2,309 1,952 -15.5 Change Science Program, which includes 13 Homeland Security 1,246 1,143 3,287 187.6 federal departments and agencies, is slated Commerce 1,080 1,113 1,157 4.0 for a 10% rise in funds to $2.0 billion in the EPA 606 557 550 -1.3 proposed budget. Other 3,382 3,599 3,547 -1.4 According to OMB data, most of the $3.9 billion increase in federal R&D spending will TOTAL $139,072 $143,063 $146,963 2.7% go to two areas. The Department of Defense a Actual. b Estimate. c Proposed. SOURCE: Office of Management & Budget would receive a $1.0 billion increase, to $74.4 billion—51% of total federal R&D funds—just for development and testing of large weapons systems. Marburger also pointed out that the inclusion of And at the Department of Homeland Security, spendcongressionally mandated spending items, or earing for new research facilities and equipment would marks, continues to negatively impact science. If skyrocket to $2.1 billion from just $148 million this year. earmarks are removed and agencies are allowed full However, the budget proposal is likely to undergo discretion over appropriated funds, “the amount of significant changes this year as Congress goes through money requested is more than adequate to meet the the appropriations process. Cuts the President has proneeds of the agencies,” he noted. posed for popular programs such as NASA and USDA, Increases, however, are not consistent across agenalong with the lack of an increase for NIH, may change. cies. The programs cited by President George W. Bush Especially in this election year, Congress may add in his State of the Union address as essential to U.S. funds to programs now slated for flat or lower spendcompetitiveness are all slated for increases. The Department of Energy’s Office of Science programs would ing.—DAVID HANSON
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