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Press Release 04-013
National Science Board Says NSF Needs $19 Billion Annually to Address U.S. Research and Education Needs
February 2, 2004
Arlington, Va.—The National Science Board (NSB) released a report
today that responds to Section 22 of the National Science
Foundation (NSF) Authorization Act of 2002, in which Congress
directed the Board to address the Foundation's budgetary and
programmatic growth through fiscal 2007. The Board is the
independent body appointed by the president and confirmed by the
Senate to establish the policies of the Foundation, and provide
policy advice to the president and the Congress on matters of
science and engineering research and education.
In a letter accompanying the report, Board Chairman Warren
Washington said the recommendations "are provided at a very broad
level and assume full implementation of the [Congressionally]
authorized increase in NSF's budget to $9.8 billion in FY07."
Further, the letter says, " the report estimates that
approximately $19 billion would be required to fully address all
unmet needs...and ensure continued U.S. leadership in the
international science, engineering and technology enterprise."
Entitled "Fulfilling the Promise: A Report to Congress on the
Budgetary and Programmatic Expansion of the National Science
Foundation," and informally known as the "Section 22 Report," the
document identifies specific areas for spending authorized budget
increases through fiscal 2007, rather than across-the-board
increases.
The report recommends almost $3 billion, for example, to expand
the shrinking cadre of Americans who chose science and technology
careers and calls for increased education and training mechanisms
to access the relatively untapped talents of racial and ethnic
minority Americans.
Those funds would also be used to increase research grant size
and duration and open new research frontiers. Another $1.2
billion is suggested to enhance research technology and
infrastructure.
"Clearly," the report says, "we must attract more U.S. students
to [science and engineering] fields, and provide them with high
quality education and training and access to the most advanced tools, facilities, and cyber
infrastructure. If we fail to do this, increasing numbers of high
technology and manufacturing jobs will go overseas. "
The report also says $200 million should be added to NSF's annual
budget to maintain its excellence in research management and
provide for expanded responsibilities in that area.
Board Chairman Washington states that while the FY2007 authorized
level of $9.8 billion "...will significantly enhance NSF's ability
to address many unmet needs identified
by the Board, the report estimates that approximately $19 billion
would be required to fully address all unmet needs."
Washington goes on to state: "... The present federal budget
realities will require the NSF and the Board to adjust the
planned budget and programmatic expansion to fit actual yearly
increments. However, the Board feels strongly that the current
positive momentum for annual increases to the NSF budget must be
maintained in order to enhance NSF's ability to address these
issues, and ensure continued US leadership in the international
science, engineering and technology enterprise."
An online version of the report is available on line at:
www.nsf.gov/nsb.
-NSF-
NSF PR 04-13 (NSB 04-17)
NSB is composed of 24 part-time members, appointed by the
president and confirmed by the Senate. They are selected on the
basis of their eminence in basic, medical, or social sciences,
engineering, agriculture, education, research management or
public affairs. The NSF Director serves on the Board, ex officio.
Media Contacts
Bill Noxon, NSF (703) 292-7750 wnoxon@nsf.gov
Program Contacts
Jean Pomeroy, NSF (703) 292-7000 jpomeroy@nsf.gov
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
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