NSF Congressional Highlight
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2003 NSF Budget

July 25, 2002

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the subcommittee version of the FY 03 NSF budget without change today providing the agency with an 11.78 percent increase over last year. In extensive report language the committee outlined plans for a number of significant changes for the agency in the coming year. Among the most noteworthy is an increase in the Graduate Fellowship stipend to $30,000 per year. This is above the $25,000 requested level, which was itself an increase over the current $21,500 level.

Although all of the Research and Related Activities account is increased by the 14.81 percent which would lead to a five-year doubling, the actual growth varied across directorates. Most notable are the 19.9 percent increases in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate (to emphasize cybersecurity and advanced broadband research) and the 20 percent increase in Engineering, with an emphasis on nanoscience and engineering research. The Mathematics and Physical Science Directorate is slated for a 14.8 percent increase (to $1,056 million), of which $162 million is provided to the mathematical sciences. This is less than the $182 million requested, an increase intended to invest heavily in the new mathematics initiative.

The Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate received the requested 15.9 percent increase (to $195.6 million), within which $10 million is directed to the children's research initiative. The Geosciences Directorate is slated for a 12.3 percent increase (to $684.5 million) of which $15 million is to be used for national user facilities and the integrated ocean drilling program. The Biological Sciences Directorate is funded at the requested amount, which provides a 3.4 percent increase to $525.6 million. Within that account $85 million is directed to plant genomics research and $26 million for biocomplexity research. An additional $50 million is provided above the request for the Major Research Instrumentation and $10 million is added to the Partnerships for Innovation program.

The largest decrease from the request is in the Major Research Facilities Equipment and Construction account, which is reduced by 59 percent from last year. The requested level of funding is provided for the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, the Large Hadron Collider, the National Earthquake Engineering Simulation, and the South Pole Station. Other requested MREFC projects did not fare as well, with only $20 million of the $35 million provided for Earthscope (contingent on hiring a permanent deputy for MREFC projects); $10 million, half of the request for Terascale Computing Systems, is provided through the R&RA account; and $12 million requested for the National Ecological Observatory Network is deferred pending an analysis of the projected fully scaled project.

The Education and Human Resources Account receives an 8.3 percent increase to $947 million. This includes $120 million of the $200 million requested for the Math and Science Partnership program; $186 million for the Elementary, Secondary and Informal Education (up $14.65 million from the request); $110 million for Human Resources Development ($20 above the request); $125 for undergraduate education including adds to the request of $20 million for Tech Talent and $5 million for Advanced Technology Education; $110 for EPSCoR, an increase of $35 million over the request; and $153.4 million ($25 million over the request) for increased stipends in the Graduate Research Fellowship program.

The NSF Salaries and Expenses Account is increased by 7 percent above the prior year, less than the 19 percent requested. The Committee also establishes a separate account for the National Science Board, funded at $3.5 million. Funding for the Inspector General is increased by 34 percent to $9.06 million.

	FY 02 Plan	FY 03 Request	FY 03 Senate	Change Over FY 02 Plan	% Change
Biological Sciences	508.41	525.62	525.62	17.21	3.4
CISE	514.88	526.94	616.94	102.06	19.8
Engineering	472.32	487.98	567.98	95.66	20.3
Geosciences	609.47	691.07	684.49	75.02	12.3
Math & Physical Sciences	920.45	941.57	1,056.57	136.12	14.8
Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences	168.79	195.61	195.61	26.82	15.9
U.S. Polar Research Programs	229.74	235.74	245.74	16.00	7.0
U.S. Antarctic Logistical Support Activities	68.07	68.07	68.07	0.00	0.0
Integrative Activities	106.51	110.61	170.61	64.10	60.2
Total, Research and Related Activities	3,598.64	3,783.21	4,131.63	532.99	14.8
Education and Human Resources	875.00	908.08	947.78	72.73	8.31
Major Research Equipment & Facilities	138.80	126.28	79.28	-59.52	-42.90
Salaries and Expenses	170.04	210.16	182.16	12.12	7.1
Inspector General	6.76	7.70	9.06	2.30	34.02
TOTAL NSF	4,789.24	5,035.79	5,353.36	564.12	11.8

See also : NSF Section of S. Rept. 107-222

Senate Appropriations Committee Report on S. 2797, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003

Summaries of Hearings on the NSF Fiscal 2003 Budget Request:

• Hearing Summary: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Hearing on the National Science Foundation Fiscal 2002 Budget, June 19, 2002
  
  
• Hearing Summary: Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space on the National Science Foundation Fiscal 2003 Budget, May 22, 2002
  
  
• Hearing Summary: Senate VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee on the National Science Foundation Fiscal 2003 Budget, May 15, 2002
  
  
• Hearing Summary: House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies on National Science Foundation Fiscal 2003 Budget Request, April 11, 2002
  
  
• Hearing Summary: House Research Subcommittee Hearing on the NSF Budget: How Should We Determine Future Levels?, March 13, 2002
  
  
• Hearing Summary: House Science Committee on President's Budget Request for Research and Development, February 13, 2002

See also:

• NSF & Congress Archive