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Final Bush R&D budget again boosts physical sciences; takes parting shot at earmarks

APR 01, 2008
For the third year, President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative proposes big increases for NSF, the Department of Energy, and NIST. Funding for most other agencies would rise modestly.

DOI: 10.1063/1.2911192

When Bush unveiled his last budget proposal in early February for the year beginning 1 October 2008, advocates for the physical sciences were preoccupied with trying to mitigate the cutbacks to current fiscal year programs that had blindsided them just a few weeks before. As a consequence of last year’s budget standoff between Bush and the Democrat-controlled Congress, most of the physical-sciences basic-research increases Bush had proposed and House and Senate appropriators endorsed suddenly vanished when the final version of a mammoth spending bill emerged from Capitol Hill and was signed into law in mid-December. The loss of those widely anticipated increases not only has pinched current-year research programs but has the effect of making some of the requested increases for next year appear particularly dramatic.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, one of the three agencies that bankroll most federally sponsored basic research in the physical sciences, would see funding under Bush’s FY 2009 proposal surge nearly 21% above current-year levels. A 13.6% boost is proposed at NSF. The third agency, tiny NIST, is slated for a cut of nearly 5%, although its basic research activity could increase 21% in the unlikely event that lawmakers heed Bush’s call to stop earmarking its funding.

Following recommendations of the influential 2005 National Academies report Rising Above the Gathering Storm , Bush, through his American Competitiveness Initiative, proposed a doubling of the budgets of the Office of Science, NSF, and NIST over a 10-year period ending in 2016. Now in its third year, the ACI is lagging well behind that pace, despite the strong bipartisan support Congress expressed in legislation enacted last summer known as the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act.

Although complicit in the events that led to the loss of most ACI funding from the 2008 budget, Bush blamed Congress for failing to provide the appropriations needed. In his January State of the Union address, the president reaffirmed his commitment to the ACI increases, though he avoided mentioning a specific timetable.

In unveiling Bush’s 2009 R&D budget request a few days later, John Marburger, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, lamented how the 2008 budget process had shortchanged the ACI for the second time in two years. Not only had Congress provided just one-third of the president’s request for the ACI, Marburger complained, but lawmakers had earmarked for pet projects $207 million of the $403 million increase that was appropriated. At DOE, congressionally directed projects claimed $124 million of its $176 million budget increase. NIST got slightly more than the $101 million rise requested by the White House for 2008 but wound up with just a $29 million increase after honoring the $83 million worth of earmarks. NSF, whose budget traditionally is untainted by earmarks, still received only $115 million of the $512 million increase Bush wanted for the current year.

Attack on earmarks

Bush has ramped up his rhetoric against earmarking and has promised to veto spending bills that don’t cut the numbers and cost of the earmarks by at least half from their FY 2008 levels. But the president’s leverage over the 2009 appropriations process is limited by his lame-duck status. Congress has plenty of precedent to let the process drag on well into the new fiscal year, and lawmakers could sit tight beyond Inauguration Day if they think the new president is better aligned with them on spending issues.

In an executive order he signed 29 January, Bush instructed federal agencies to ignore earmarks that aren’t written into the statutory language of future appropriations bills. The vast majority of earmarks are contained in the report that accompanies the bill, which means they do not technically carry the force of law. In practice, agency officials have honored earmarks to avoid upsetting the sponsors who, after all, set the agency’s budget, and before whom they are frequently summoned to testify.

Although this will be Bush’s last appropriations cycle, the White House has pointedly noted that executive orders continue in force unless and until rescinded by future chief executives and that more than 80% of executive orders issued by President Clinton remain in effect today.

Following a one-year hiatus when Democrats assumed control of the unfinished FY 2007 appropriations process, R&D-related earmarks were back in force, reaching $4.5 billion in FY 2008, according to an analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) budget alone includes $3.5 billion in earmarks, and about 10% of DOE’s and 18% of the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) R&D operations funding is earmarked.

R&D reaches record level

Overall, the administration proposes to spend a record $147 billion on R&D in FY 2009, an increase of 3.7% from FY 2008. More than half, $80.5 billion, would go to the DOD, but only $6 billion of that is for basic and applied research. The rest goes for the development of specific weapons systems.

Department of Energy R&D Programs

  FY 2007 actual FY 2008 estimate FY 2009 request FY 2008–09 percent change
  (millions of dollars) *
Total DOE 24 250 24 378 25 515 4.7
DOE R&D 9035 9661 10 519 8.9
Office of Science R&D programs 3560 3574 4313 20.7
Total high-energy physics 732 689 805 16.8
Proton accelerator-based physics 344 369 420 13.8
Research 110 109 115 4.8
University research 52 54 57 5.3
National laboratory research 57 54 57 4.1
University service accounts 1 1 1 18.3
Facilities 234 260 305 17.5
Tevatron operations and improvements 161 179 222 23.9
Large Hadron Collider project and support 57 64 72 13.9
Advanced Gradient Synchrotron support 1 1 1 0.9
Other facilities 11 16 10 −38.5
Electron accelerator-based physics 101 66 49 −25.6
Research 22 22 23 4.0
University research 11 11 12 3.6
National laboratory research 11 11 11 3.9
Facilities 79 44 26 −40.7
Nonaccelerator physics 61 74 86 16.6
Theoretical physics 60 60 63 4.7
Advanced tech R&D (accelerators and detectors) 167 120 187 55.3
Total nuclear physics 412 433 510 17.9
Medium-energy nuclear physics 109 112 121 7.7
Research 32 41 42 3.3
University research 17 18 19 5.3
National laboratory research 16 16 18 16.0
Other research 1 5 6 9.3
Operations 75 73 78 6.4
Heavy-ion nuclear physics 180 185 202 8.8
Research 35 40 48 20.0
University research 13 13 15 11.4
National laboratory research 22 22 28 24.0
Other research 0 4 6 26.0
Operations (primarily RHIC) 145 145 154 5.8
Low-energy nuclear physics 78 84 97 15.5
Research 50 55 64 16.4
University research 19 20 20 4.2
National laboratory research 27 30 35 16.4
Other research 4 6 9 59.8
Operations (primarily ATLAS and HRIBF) 28 28 32 13.8
Nuclear theory 33 34 40 17.4
Isotope production 20
Construction 12 18 31 77.1
Total fusion energy sciences 312 287 493 72.1
Science 145 164 168 2.8
Facility operations 146 101 302 199.3
Enabling R&D 21 22 23 4.2
Total basic energy sciences 1221 1270 1568 23.5
Materials sciences 879 954 1126 18.0
Chemical sciences, geosciences, and energy biosciences (CGEB) 217 223 297 33.5
National user facilities operations (funding is contained in the materials sciences and CGEB budgets)        
Advanced Light Source, LBNL 49 47 51 7.8
Advanced Photon Source, ANL 105 105 116 11.0
National Synchrotron Light Source, BNL 37 37 40 8.8
Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, ORNL 18 19 20 11.0
Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, SNL/LANL 18 18 20 11.1
Molecular Foundry, LBNL 19 18 20 10.4
Center for Nanoscale Materials, ANL 18 19 21 12.6
Center for Functional Nanomaterials, BNL 0 18 20 10.4
Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, SLAC 31 31 33 7.1
High Flux Isotope Reactor, ORNL 56 55 59 7.8
Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, ANL 15 8 4 −50.0
Manuel Lujan Jr Neutron Scattering Ctr, LANL 10 10 11 6.2
Spallation Neutron Source, ORNL 165 165 178 7.9
Combustion Research Facility, SNL 8 7 7 2.6
National Synchrotron Light Source-II, BNL 22 20 10 −50.0
Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC 13 15 19 22.6
Linac for LCLS 38 61 97 57.2
Construction 125 93 145 56.0
Advanced scientific computing research 276 351 369 5.0
Biological and environmental research 480 544 569 4.4
Fossil energy R&D 481 576 625 8.5
Nuclear energy R&D 300 441 630 42.9
Energy efficiency and renewable energy 938 1238 1025 −17.2
Total National Nuclear Security Administration R&D 3625 3693 3789 2.6
Total weapons activities R&D 2664 2742 2787 1.6
Science campaigns 268 288 323 12.3
Advanced simulation and computing 611 575 562 −2.2
Inertial confinement fusion 490 470 421 −10.4
All other weapons R&D 1295 1410 1481 5.1
Nonproliferation and verification 209 208 208 0.0
Naval reactors 752 743 794 6.9
Environmental management 21 22 33 50.0
Nuclear waste disposal 10 3 0 −100.0

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Includes $214.5 million for the US contribution to ITER. Starting with the FY 2009 budget, the ITER request is consolidated in the facility operations account. A portion of previous year contributions ($10.6 million in FY 2008) was included under the enabling R&D category.

Starting with the FY 2009 budget, the Combustion Research Facility request is included in the chemical physics research program.

ANL, Argonne National Laboratory. ATLAS, a Torroidal LHC Apparatus. BNL, Brookhaven National Laboratory. HRIBF, Hollifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. LANL, Los Alamos National Laboratory. LBNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. ORNL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. RHIC, Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. SNL, Sandia National Laboratories.

Department of Energy R&D Programs

Total DOE

24 250

24 378

25 515

4.7

DOE R&D

9035

9661

10 519

8.9

Office of Science R&D programs

3560

3574

4313

20.7

Total high-energy physics

732

689

805

16.8

Proton accelerator-based physics

344

369

420

13.8

Research

110

109

115

4.8

University research

52

54

57

5.3

National laboratory research

57

54

57

4.1

University service accounts

1

1

1

18.3

Facilities

234

260

305

17.5

Tevatron operations and improvements

161

179

222

23.9

Large Hadron Collider project and support

57

64

72

13.9

Advanced Gradient Synchrotron support

1

1

1

0.9

Other facilities

11

16

10

−38.5

Electron accelerator-based physics

101

66

49

−25.6

Research

22

22

23

4.0

University research

11

11

12

3.6

National laboratory research

11

11

11

3.9

Facilities

79

44

26

−40.7

Nonaccelerator physics

61

74

86

16.6

Theoretical physics

60

60

63

4.7

Advanced tech R&D (accelerators and detectors)

167

120

187

55.3

Total nuclear physics

412

433

510

17.9

Medium-energy nuclear physics

109

112

121

7.7

Research

32

41

42

3.3

University research

17

18

19

5.3

National laboratory research

16

16

18

16.0

Other research

1

5

6

9.3

Operations

75

73

78

6.4

Heavy-ion nuclear physics

180

185

202

8.8

Research

35

40

48

20.0

University research

13

13

15

11.4

National laboratory research

22

22

28

24.0

Other research

0

4

6

26.0

Operations (primarily RHIC)

145

145

154

5.8

Low-energy nuclear physics

78

84

97

15.5

Research

50

55

64

16.4

University research

19

20

20

4.2

National laboratory research

27

30

35

16.4

Other research

4

6

9

59.8

Operations (primarily ATLAS and HRIBF)

28

28

32

13.8

Nuclear theory

33

34

40

17.4

Isotope production

20

Construction

12

18

31

77.1

Total fusion energy sciences

312

287

493

72.1

Science

145

164

168

2.8

Facility operations

146

101

302

199.3

Enabling R&D

21

22

23

4.2

Total basic energy sciences

1221

1270

1568

23.5

Materials sciences

879

954

1126

18.0

Chemical sciences, geosciences, and energy biosciences (CGEB)

217

223

297

33.5

National user facilities operations (funding is contained in the materials sciences and CGEB budgets)

Advanced Light Source, LBNL

49

47

51

7.8

Advanced Photon Source, ANL

105

105

116

11.0

National Synchrotron Light Source, BNL

37

37

40

8.8

Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, ORNL

18

19

20

11.0

Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, SNL/LANL

18

18

20

11.1

Molecular Foundry, LBNL

19

18

20

10.4

Center for Nanoscale Materials, ANL

18

19

21

12.6

Center for Functional Nanomaterials, BNL

0

18

20

10.4

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, SLAC

31

31

33

7.1

High Flux Isotope Reactor, ORNL

56

55

59

7.8

Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, ANL

15

8

4

−50.0

Manuel Lujan Jr Neutron Scattering Ctr, LANL

10

10

11

6.2

Spallation Neutron Source, ORNL

165

165

178

7.9

Combustion Research Facility, SNL

8

7

7

2.6

National Synchrotron Light Source-II, BNL

22

20

10

−50.0

Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC

13

15

19

22.6

Linac for LCLS

38

61

97

57.2

Construction

125

93

145

56.0

Advanced scientific computing research

276

351

369

5.0

Biological and environmental research

480

544

569

4.4

Fossil energy R&D

481

576

625

8.5

Nuclear energy R&D

300

441

630

42.9

Energy efficiency and renewable energy

938

1238

1025

−17.2

Total National Nuclear Security Administration R&D

3625

3693

3789

2.6

Total weapons activities R&D

2664

2742

2787

1.6

Science campaigns

268

288

323

12.3

Advanced simulation and computing

611

575

562

−2.2

Inertial confinement fusion

490

470

421

−10.4

All other weapons R&D

1295

1410

1481

5.1

Nonproliferation and verification

209

208

208

0.0

Naval reactors

752

743

794

6.9

Environmental management

21

22

33

50.0

Nuclear waste disposal

10

3

0

−100.0

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Includes $214.5 million for the US contribution to ITER. Starting with the FY 2009 budget, the ITER request is consolidated in the facility operations account. A portion of previous year contributions ($10.6 million in FY 2008) was included under the enabling R&D category.

Starting with the FY 2009 budget, the Combustion Research Facility request is included in the chemical physics research program.

ANL, Argonne National Laboratory. ATLAS, a Torroidal LHC Apparatus. BNL, Brookhaven National Laboratory. HRIBF, Hollifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. LANL, Los Alamos National Laboratory. LBNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. ORNL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. RHIC, Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. SNL, Sandia National Laboratories.

Using the federal science and technology scorecard, which narrows the focus to basic and applied research only, funding would dip slightly next year, from $61.9 billion to $61.8 billion. Significant reductions are proposed for the DOD’s applied research program, NASA’s science and aeronautics research programs, and research at the USDA.

Although the National Institutes of Health remains far and away the biggest federal bankroller of basic research, its current $29.3 billion budget will stay exactly that for next year under the Bush plan. In inflation-adjusted terms, NIH spending has been dropping each year since 2003, when the rapid five-year doubling of its budget was completed. At his budget briefing, Marburger offered little sympathy for the biomedical research community, observing that the ACI increases were meant to address the “imbalance” in federal support for the life sciences on the one hand and the physical sciences on the other.

Support for the multiagency National Nanotechnology Initiative would increase 2.4% to $1.5 billion, while the Climate Change Science Program climbs $177 million, or 10%, to $2 billion. Support for a third interagency effort, networking and information technology, would increase 6.2% to $3.5 billion. In each case the funding is from the budgets of the participating agencies, not in addition to them.

National Science Foundation. NSF funding would shoot up 13.6%, or $822 million, to $6.8 billion. The agency’s R&D would surge 15.5%; all NSF divisions, except the major research equipment and facilities account, would receive increases. The biggest jump, $790 million, or 16%, would be for the research and related activities account, the source of nearly all NSF grants to support investigator-initiated research. NSF director Arden Bement told the House Committee on Science and Technology in February that the federal government must rapidly grow its support for physical sciences and engineering, which has been halved since 1970 as a percentage of R&D. By comparison, China has more than doubled its gross domestic product percentage expenditure on R&D since 1995. At his presentation of the budget request, Bement cited equally sobering statistics, observing that if the numbers come in as projected, the 2004–07 period will mark the first multiyear decline of federal support for academic research in 25 years. “Even a disinterested bystander would have to conclude that we were contributing to our own economic demise,” he lamented.

Department of Homeland Security R&D Programs

  FY 2007 actual FY 2008 estimate FY 2009 request FY 2008–09 percent change
  (millions of dollars) *
Total DHS 50 251 52 653 50 502 −4.1
Total DHS R&D 996 992 1033 4.1
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office 265 274 279 1.8
Science and technology        
Chemical and biological countermeasures 314 208 200 −3.8
Border and maritime 33 25 35 38.5
Command, control, and interoperability 58 57 62 9.5
Explosives countermeasures 105 78 96 23.8
Human factors 7 14 12 −12.3
Infrastructure and geophysical 75 65 38 −41.4
Innovation 38 33 45 36.4
Laboratory facilities 106 104 147 41.5
Test and evaluation standards 25 29 25 −13.5
Transition 24 30 32 5.2
University programs 49 49 44 −11.2
Recissions § −126 0 0
Total science and technology 712 692 737 6.5
Coast Guard 19 27 18 −33.3

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated using unrounded figures.

Includes enacted supplemental appropriations, discretionary and mandatory federal funds, trust funds, and fee-funded activities.

Excludes $2.2 billion in FY 2009 for Project Bioshield procurements of pharmaceuticals to counter biological, chemical, and radiological threats.

Undistributed recissions of previously allocated funds.

Department of Homeland Security R&D Programs

Total DHS

50 251

52 653

50 502

−4.1

Total DHS R&D

996

992

1033

4.1

Domestic Nuclear Detection Office

265

274

279

1.8

Science and technology

Chemical and biological countermeasures

314

208

200

−3.8

Border and maritime

33

25

35

38.5

Command, control, and interoperability

58

57

62

9.5

Explosives countermeasures

105

78

96

23.8

Human factors

7

14

12

−12.3

Infrastructure and geophysical

75

65

38

−41.4

Innovation

38

33

45

36.4

Laboratory facilities

106

104

147

41.5

Test and evaluation standards

25

29

25

−13.5

Transition

24

30

32

5.2

University programs

49

49

44

−11.2

Recissions §

−126

0

0

Total science and technology

712

692

737

6.5

Coast Guard

19

27

18

−33.3

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated using unrounded figures.

Includes enacted supplemental appropriations, discretionary and mandatory federal funds, trust funds, and fee-funded activities.

Excludes $2.2 billion in FY 2009 for Project Bioshield procurements of pharmaceuticals to counter biological, chemical, and radiological threats.

Undistributed recissions of previously allocated funds.

On the positive side, Bement unveiled several new multidisciplinary projects: a $20 million effort dubbed “Beyond Moore’s Law” aimed at developing a new generation of materials, algorithms, architecture, and software to succeed silicon computing technology; a $15 million adaptive systems technology program to attempt to mimic the functions of nervous systems in engineered products and control systems; and a $10 million project on the dynamics of water processes in the environment, aimed at improving the reliability of water forecasting for agriculture, forestry, human health, manufacturing, and other purposes. NSF also will double spending, from $48 million to $100 million next year, on its cyber-enabled discovery and innovation program for advancing science and engineering along new paths that have opened as a result of enhanced computational capabilities.

The administration seeks $682 million for petascale computing and cyberinfrastructure, a $53 million increase. And in 2009, the budget would add five to seven new university-based science centers for interdisciplinary research to the dozens of existing centers that NSF now supports.

The foundation’s education and human resources funding would grow nearly 9%, and the budget request provides more evidence that NSF has successfully won an interagency turf fight to retain its K–12 educational programs, notably the Math and Science Partnership program that provides in-service training to math and science teachers. The White House had sought in prior years to abolish the program and transfer the funding to the Department of Education. But outside assessments proving its effectiveness, combined with congressional opposition, succeeded in reversing the earlier plan. The FY 2009 partnership request adds $2.5 million to the current year’s $48.5 million.

The increases to the partnership and other programs didn’t satisfy Bart Gordon (D-TN), chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology. He told Marburger at a February hearing he was “deeply disappointed” that the president didn’t make the NSF education programs a priority. Improving the science and mathematics skills of K–12 teachers was the highest priority recommendation of the Gathering Storm report, Gordon said.

Department of Energy. Undersecretary for Science Raymond Orbach downplayed the big increase being requested for DOE’s Office of Science, saying it wouldn’t make up for the three-quarters of a billion dollars Congress has lopped off the agency’s share of the ACI increases in the previous two budget cycles. The FY 2009 proposal includes a new $100 million per year program for energy frontier research centers, a program that’s aimed at accelerating scientific breakthroughs into new energy technologies. Universities, national laboratories, and other institutions will be eligible to compete for those grants, which will provide each facility with $2 million to $5 million per year for five years.

The budget request will provide sufficient funding for the DOE laboratories to make full use of their synchrotrons, neutron sources, and other scientific user facilities, Orbach told reporters. But the $214.5 million sought for the 2009 US contribution to the ITER experimental fusion facility isn’t enough to also pay off the $150 million that the US is in arrears since Congress rejected the FY 2008 installment. The Office of Science’s basic energy sciences program, which pays for the lab user facilities and supports most of DOE’s peer-reviewed research grants, is the big winner in that office, with a budget proposed to surge 23.5% to almost $1.6 billion. The biological and environmental research program, which administers three recently established energy research centers and funds microbial genomics R&D in support of DOE’s cleanup and energy missions, would get $569 million next year, compared with this year’s $544 million.

The high-energy physics program, hard hit in 2008, would rise 17% to $805 million. The four nuclear physics accelerator facilities will operate at near-optimum levels if the $510 million request for that program, an 18% increase, is approved, the agency says.

NASA R&D Programs

  FY 2007 actual FY 2008 estimate FY 2009 request FY 2008–09 percent change
  (millions of dollars) *
Total NASA 16 285 17 309 17 614 1.8
NASA R&D 9 952 10 436 10 737 2.9
R&D programs        
Science, aeronautics, and exploration 8073 8361 8388 2.8
Total science 4610 4706 4441 −5.6
Planetary science        
Discovery 128 153 247 61.4
New Frontiers 107 132 264 99.6
Technology 85 85 65 −23.5
Planetary science research 182 242 271 11.9
Mars exploration 635 553 386 −30.2
Outer planets § 79 82 101 23.4
Total planetary science 1216 1247 1334 6.9
Astrophysics        
Astrophysics research # 99 102 152 49.0
Cosmic Origins 791 807 674 −16.5
Physics of the Cosmos 201 159 157 −1.3
Exoplanet Exploration 185 162 48 −70.4
Astrophysics explorer 89 106 131 22.7
Total astrophysics 1365 1337 1162 −13.1
Earth science **        
Earth systematic missions 421 530 678 27.9
Earth system science pathfinder 168 114 89 −22.1
Multimission operations 168 168 140 −16.3
Earth science research †† 349 376 381 1.3
Applied sciences 34 45 34 −25.6
Education and outreach ‡‡ [26] [23]
Earth science technology 58 47 46 −2.5
Total Earth science 1198 1280 1367 6.3
Heliophysics j        
Heliophysics research 208 181 185 2.0
Deep space mission systems 203 210 0 −100.0
Living with a star 189 217 224 3.1
Solar terrestrial probes 72 106 123 16.2
Heliophysics explorer program 74 61 41 −32.3
Near Earth networks 44 39 0 −100.0
New Millennium 41 26 4 −83.3
Total heliophysics 831 841 577 −31.3
Exploration systems        
Constellation systems ‖‖ 2115 2472 3048 23.3
Advanced capabilities ## 755 671 452 −32.6
Total exploration systems 2870 3143 3500 11.4
Aeronautics research 594 512 446 −12.7
Exploration capabilities        
International Space Station 1469 1813 2060 13.6
Space shuttle 3315 3267 2982 −8.7
Space and flight support 329 446 733 64.2
Total exploration capabilities 5113 5526 5775 4.5
Cross-agency support 2061 2230 2352 1.4

Beginning with FY 2009, budgets for all NASA programs and projects include only direct costs, such as labor and travel. Indirect charges, such as operation and management of the NASA centers and agency headquarters, are provided in a “cross-agency support” category. Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Formerly solar system exploration.

Formerly solar system research.

New line item for FY 2009, formerly part of planetary science research.

For FY 2009, NASA reorganized its astrophysics programs as follows: the Navigator and Explorer programs are combined into a new Exoplanet Exploration program; a new Cosmic Origins program consists of the Spitzer Project from astrophysics research, James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope , and Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy; Chandra X-ray Observatory from astrophysics research, Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope , International Space Science collaboration, and Beyond Einstein program are combined into a new Physics of the Cosmos program; and the Explorer-class projects that are operating missions within the astrophysics research program are moved to the Astrophysics Explorer account.

Formerly universe research.

Formerly the Earth-Sun system.

FY 2009 funding includes transfer of the education and outreach account. FY 2007-08 figures are adjusted to include that transfer.

FY 2009 funding is transferred to the Earth science research account.

For FY 2009, NASA restructured its heliophysics program as follows: Deep Space Mission Systems and Near Earth Networks programs were discontinued; the Deep Space Networks and Advanced Multimission Operation Systems projects were transferred from Deep Space Mission Systems to the Space Operations Mission directorate and to the planetary science research theme, respectively; the Ground Networks and Research Range projects were transferred from Near Earth Networks to the Operations directorate and to the heliophysics research theme, respectively.

Constellation systems includes the crew exploration vehicle, the crew launch vehicle, ground and mission operations, commercial cargo, and other related costs.

Advanced capabilities includes the lunar precursor robotic program, the Prometheus propulsion program, human research, and other related programs.

NASA R&D Programs

Total NASA

16 285

17 309

17 614

1.8

NASA R&D

9 952

10 436

10 737

2.9

R&D programs

Science, aeronautics, and exploration

8073

8361

8388

2.8

Total science

4610

4706

4441

−5.6

Planetary science

Discovery

128

153

247

61.4

New Frontiers

107

132

264

99.6

Technology

85

85

65

−23.5

Planetary science research

182

242

271

11.9

Mars exploration

635

553

386

−30.2

Outer planets §

79

82

101

23.4

Total planetary science

1216

1247

1334

6.9

Astrophysics

Astrophysics research #

99

102

152

49.0

Cosmic Origins

791

807

674

−16.5

Physics of the Cosmos

201

159

157

−1.3

Exoplanet Exploration

185

162

48

−70.4

Astrophysics explorer

89

106

131

22.7

Total astrophysics

1365

1337

1162

−13.1

Earth science **

Earth systematic missions

421

530

678

27.9

Earth system science pathfinder

168

114

89

−22.1

Multimission operations

168

168

140

−16.3

Earth science research ††

349

376

381

1.3

Applied sciences

34

45

34

−25.6

Education and outreach ‡‡

[26]

[23]

Earth science technology

58

47

46

−2.5

Total Earth science

1198

1280

1367

6.3

Heliophysics j

Heliophysics research

208

181

185

2.0

Deep space mission systems

203

210

0

−100.0

Living with a star

189

217

224

3.1

Solar terrestrial probes

72

106

123

16.2

Heliophysics explorer program

74

61

41

−32.3

Near Earth networks

44

39

0

−100.0

New Millennium

41

26

4

−83.3

Total heliophysics

831

841

577

−31.3

Exploration systems

Constellation systems ‖‖

2115

2472

3048

23.3

Advanced capabilities ##

755

671

452

−32.6

Total exploration systems

2870

3143

3500

11.4

Aeronautics research

594

512

446

−12.7

Exploration capabilities

International Space Station

1469

1813

2060

13.6

Space shuttle

3315

3267

2982

−8.7

Space and flight support

329

446

733

64.2

Total exploration capabilities

5113

5526

5775

4.5

Cross-agency support

2061

2230

2352

1.4

Beginning with FY 2009, budgets for all NASA programs and projects include only direct costs, such as labor and travel. Indirect charges, such as operation and management of the NASA centers and agency headquarters, are provided in a “cross-agency support” category. Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Formerly solar system exploration.

Formerly solar system research.

New line item for FY 2009, formerly part of planetary science research.

For FY 2009, NASA reorganized its astrophysics programs as follows: the Navigator and Explorer programs are combined into a new Exoplanet Exploration program; a new Cosmic Origins program consists of the Spitzer Project from astrophysics research, James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope , and Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy; Chandra X-ray Observatory from astrophysics research, Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope , International Space Science collaboration, and Beyond Einstein program are combined into a new Physics of the Cosmos program; and the Explorer-class projects that are operating missions within the astrophysics research program are moved to the Astrophysics Explorer account.

Formerly universe research.

Formerly the Earth-Sun system.

FY 2009 funding includes transfer of the education and outreach account. FY 2007-08 figures are adjusted to include that transfer.

FY 2009 funding is transferred to the Earth science research account.

For FY 2009, NASA restructured its heliophysics program as follows: Deep Space Mission Systems and Near Earth Networks programs were discontinued; the Deep Space Networks and Advanced Multimission Operation Systems projects were transferred from Deep Space Mission Systems to the Space Operations Mission directorate and to the planetary science research theme, respectively; the Ground Networks and Research Range projects were transferred from Near Earth Networks to the Operations directorate and to the heliophysics research theme, respectively.

Constellation systems includes the crew exploration vehicle, the crew launch vehicle, ground and mission operations, commercial cargo, and other related costs.

Advanced capabilities includes the lunar precursor robotic program, the Prometheus propulsion program, human research, and other related programs.

Department of Defense R&D Programs

  FY 2007 actual FY 2008 estimate FY 2009 request FY 2008–09 percent change
  (millions of dollars) *
Total DOD R&D 79 009 77 782 80 688 3.7
Research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E)        
Total basic research (6.1) 1525 1634 1699 4.0
US Army        
In-house independent research 18 22 20 −7.9
Defense research sciences 166 165 177 7.2
University research initiatives 76 82 77 −6.6
University and industry research centers 92 110 106 −4.1
Total US Army 353 379 379 0.1
US Navy        
University research initiatives 87 98 104 5.8
In-house independent research 16 16 17 5.5
Defense research sciences 380 383 407 6.3
Total US Navy 482 498 528 6.1
US Air Force        
Defense research sciences 271 289 310 7.4
University research initiatives 112 120 126 5.0
High-energy laser research 12 13 13 6.9
Total US Air Force 395 421 452 7.4
Defensewide basic research programs        
DTRA basic research initiative 13 11 18 66.2
Defense research sciences 140 175 196 11.8
National defense education program 18 44 69 56.8
Government–industry cosponsorship of university research 9 6 0 −100.0
DEPSCoR 9 17 3 −83.3
Chemical and biological defense research 105 83 53 −36.0
Total defensewide basic research 294 336 339 0.8
Applied research (6.2) 5103 5058 4245 −16.1
Advanced technology development (6.3) 6211 5987 5532 −7.6
Total science and technology (6.1–6.3) 12 837 12 679 11 475 −9.5
Other RDT&E § 64 751 64 055 68 141 6.4
Budget authority adjustment −40 −347
Total RDT&E 77 549 76 387 79 616 4.2
Medical research 680 536 194 −63.8
Other appropriations 780 859 878 2.2

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Includes DOD agencies such as DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; DTRA, Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Missile Defense Agency; and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

The DARPA basic research budget. The bulk of DARPA funding is provided from the applied research (6.2) and advanced technology development (6.3) categories. DARPA’s overall FY 2009 budget would increase by 11%, to $3.3 billion.

Includes RDT&E categories 6.4 through 6.7.

Nuclear weapons–related research in the National Nuclear Security Administration would rise 1.6% to $2.8 billion. Acknowledging lawmakers’ rejection of its 2008 request for $36 million to begin designing the new Reliable Replacement Warhead, the department nonetheless includes $10 million for RRW-related activities. Among other things, those activities should address concerns that the JASON advisory group raised in its September 2007 review of the feasibility of certifying a new warhead without underground testing. As in previous years, Bush proposes to slash DOE’s energy efficiency and renewable energy research programs, this time by 17.2% below their current-year levels. Appropriators can be expected to negate those cuts as they have done repeatedly, including for this year.

Absent from the DOE request are resources to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy that the Gathering Storm report urged and Congress ordered to be set up in the department. Proponents of ARPA-E say it will accelerate the development of high-risk energy technologies, but Bush, in signing the America COMPETES bill into law last August, signaled that he would ignore the provision, saying it was unnecessary and duplicative.

NASA. The administration’s request of $17.6 billion for NASA is a 1.8% increase from the current year. NASA R&D programs would increase by 2.9%, or $301 million, but as with last year, all of the new funding would be devoted to completing the International Space Station (up 13.6% to $2.1 billion) and to the development of a new manned space vehicle known as the Constellation systems (up 23.3% to $3 billion) to replace the space shuttle. NASA’s science programs would slide 5.6% to $4.4 billion, with the gains in Earth science (up 6.3% to $1.4 billion) and planetary science (up 6.9% to $1.3 billion) being more than offset by declines for astrophysics (down 13.1% to $1.2 billion) and heliophysics (down 31.3% to $577 million). However, nearly all of the loss to the heliophysics portfolio comes from the transfer of the deep space and near Earth networks program to the space operations account.

Direct comparisons between 2008 and 2009 spending levels for NASA are complicated by an agencywide change in accounting procedures to separate the indirect from the direct costs of programs and projects. Some $2.4 billion of that cross-agency support is attributed to the science programs in FY 2009.

Support for aeronautics research is slated to continue its long-running decline, falling $65.2 million, or 12.7%, to $446 million. That is roughly half its 2006 level of $893 million.

Critics, including Gordon, faulted the president’s request as being insufficient to pay for all NASA’s missions, particularly since Bush in 2004 tasked the agency with returning to the Moon by 2020. “I have to ask whether it is credible to believe that we will successfully be able to carry out the human lunar program proposed by the administration, while still maintaining a balanced NASA portfolio overall, if the NASA budgetary outlook doesn’t improve,” Gordon told NASA administrator Michael Griffin at a February hearing.

NIST and NOAA. By the Bush administration’s reckoning, a 5% proposed budget decline in 2009 for the Commerce Department’s NIST unit is actually a 21.5% increase for the agency’s core research programs. That’s because the $634 million request for NIST assumes that Congress won’t earmark any of the funding. That’s a dubious prospect, considering that lawmakers earmarked $83 million of the $666 million they appropriated for NIST’s research programs this year.

The budget request keeps alive the annual game between the legislative and executive branches over a NIST-administered small-grants program that assists companies in commercializing high-risk technologies. The White House has once again proposed to eliminate the $65 million Technology Innovation Program—known until last year as the Advanced Technology Program. With Democrats back in control of appropriations, however, Congress doubtless will keep the program alive for another year.

The R&D funding at NOAA would decline slightly to $576 million, from $581 million. Fisheries research and management would be steady at $52 million, while NOAA’s oceanic and atmospheric research would decline from $291 million to $288 million.

National Science Foundation R&D Programs

  FY 2007 actual FY 2008 estimate FY 2009 request FY 2008–09 percent change
  (millions of dollars) *
Total NSF 5917 6032 6854 13.6
Research and related activities (R&RA)        
Mathematical and physical sciences (MPS)        
Mathematical sciences 206 212 246 16.0
Astronomical sciences 215 218 250 14.8
Physics 248 251 298 18.8
Chemistry 191 194 245 26.0
Materials research 257 260 325 24.7
Multidisciplinary activities 33 33 40 22.3
Total MPS 1151 1167 1403 20.2
Geosciences (GEO)        
Atmospheric sciences 227 229 261 13.6
Earth sciences 153 156 178 13.9
Ocean sciences 309 310 354 13.9
Innovation and collaborative education and research 57 57 57 0.0
Total GEO 746 753 849 12.8
Engineering 630 637 759 19.2
Biological sciences 609 612 675 10.3
Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE)        
Computer and network systems 163 174 207 19.0
Computer-communications foundations 123 143 180 25.5
Information and intelligent systems 119 139 174 25.0
Information technology research 122 78 78 0.0
Total CISE 527 535 639 19.5
Office of cyberinfrastructure 182 185 220 18.8
US polar programs        
Arctic sciences 89 91 104 14.4
Antarctic sciences 57 60 71 18.0
Antarctic infrastructure and logistics 234 228 255 11.7
Polar environmental safety and health 6 6 7 12.7
Polar icebreaking 53 57 54 −5.3
Total polar programs 438 443 491 10.9
Arctic Research Commission 1 1 2 4.1
Social, behavioral, and economic sciences 215 215 233 8.5
Office of international science and engineering 40 41 47 14.8
Integrative activities 219 232 276 18.8
Budget authority adjustment 10 −17 0
Total R&RA 4768 4804 5594 16.4
Major research equipment and facilities 191 205 148 –28.2
Education and human resources 695 726 790 8.9
Agency operations and award management 248 282 305 8.3
National Science Board 4 4 4 1.5
Inspector general 11 11 13 14.6

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Formerly salaries and expenses.

National Science Foundation R&D Programs

Total NSF

5917

6032

6854

13.6

Research and related activities (R&RA)

Mathematical and physical sciences (MPS)

Mathematical sciences

206

212

246

16.0

Astronomical sciences

215

218

250

14.8

Physics

248

251

298

18.8

Chemistry

191

194

245

26.0

Materials research

257

260

325

24.7

Multidisciplinary activities

33

33

40

22.3

Total MPS

1151

1167

1403

20.2

Geosciences (GEO)

Atmospheric sciences

227

229

261

13.6

Earth sciences

153

156

178

13.9

Ocean sciences

309

310

354

13.9

Innovation and collaborative education and research

57

57

57

0.0

Total GEO

746

753

849

12.8

Engineering

630

637

759

19.2

Biological sciences

609

612

675

10.3

Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE)

Computer and network systems

163

174

207

19.0

Computer-communications foundations

123

143

180

25.5

Information and intelligent systems

119

139

174

25.0

Information technology research

122

78

78

0.0

Total CISE

527

535

639

19.5

Office of cyberinfrastructure

182

185

220

18.8

US polar programs

Arctic sciences

89

91

104

14.4

Antarctic sciences

57

60

71

18.0

Antarctic infrastructure and logistics

234

228

255

11.7

Polar environmental safety and health

6

6

7

12.7

Polar icebreaking

53

57

54

−5.3

Total polar programs

438

443

491

10.9

Arctic Research Commission

1

1

2

4.1

Social, behavioral, and economic sciences

215

215

233

8.5

Office of international science and engineering

40

41

47

14.8

Integrative activities

219

232

276

18.8

Budget authority adjustment

10

−17

0

Total R&RA

4768

4804

5594

16.4

Major research equipment and facilities

191

205

148

–28.2

Education and human resources

695

726

790

8.9

Agency operations and award management

248

282

305

8.3

National Science Board

4

4

4

1.5

Inspector general

11

11

13

14.6

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Formerly salaries and expenses.

Department of Homeland Security. Science and technology programs at the five-year-old Department of Homeland Security have resumed their upward track after a steep decline in 2007 that resulted from congressional dissatisfaction with the program’s management.

With a new leader, retired rear admiral Jay Cohen, in place, the DHS science and technology directorate has been slated for a 6.5% increase in FY 2009, to $737 million. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, which was spun off from S&T into a separate DHS unit back in 2006, would grow a modest 1.8% next year, to $279 million. Total DHS R&D funding of $1 billion is 4.1% above the current-year appropriation. Within S&T, funding has seesawed from year to year; for example, chemical and biological countermeasures, the largest R&D effort, would decline by 3.8% to $200 million, while spending for laboratory facilities would grow 41.5% to $147 million. Funding for university-based “centers of excellence” for research on various homeland security needs would decline 11% to $44 million.

Department of Commerce (NOAA and NIST) R&D Programs

  FY 2007 actual FY 2008 estimate FY 2009 request FY 2008–09 percent change
  (millions of dollars) *
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration R&D        
Total 557 581 576 −0.9
NIST R&D        
Total 572 666 634 −4.8
Scientific and Technical Research Services 376 385 447 16.1
Technology Innovation Program R&D 52 27 0 −100.0
Construction of research facilities § 59 109 99 −9.3

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Includes NIST’s laboratories.

Formerly the Advanced Technology Program.

Excludes FY 2008 congressional earmarks of $51.3 million.

Department of Commerce (NOAA and NIST) R&D Programs

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration R&D

Total

557

581

576

−0.9

NIST R&D

Total

572

666

634

−4.8

Scientific and Technical Research Services

376

385

447

16.1

Technology Innovation Program R&D

52

27

0

−100.0

Construction of research facilities §

59

109

99

−9.3

Figures are rounded to the nearest million. Changes are calculated from unrounded figures.

Includes NIST’s laboratories.

Formerly the Advanced Technology Program.

Excludes FY 2008 congressional earmarks of $51.3 million.

Department of Defense. Although the Bush administration touts the R&D spending increases that have occurred during its seven-year tenure, many of them have come in spite of the White House. Spending for basic research (classified as 6.1) and applied research (6.2) at the DOD is a good example; each year the president proposes cuts that Congress restores and often supplements. The FY 2009 request of $5.9 billion for basic and applied research is 11.2% below the current year. The basic research portion, however, would increase by 4% to $1.7 billion. More important, perhaps, at $270 million more than was requested for 2008, it is an indication that Pentagon officials have acted on their stated intention of ramping up 6.1 funding levels over several years. Assuming Bush’s request is enacted, the Pentagon’s basic and applied research programs will have grown 20% since 2001, according to administration budget documents.

The 6.1 funding helps support much of the academic research in engineering and computer science, and research universities applauded the proposed increase. “Defense basic research, which has led in the past to technologies ranging from global positioning systems to stealth technology and the internet, has been decimated over the past several years,” said Association of American Universities president Robert Berdahl. “The president’s budget would begin to set this critical research on the right funding path to help our fighting men and women to protect our country.”

A third category of S&T, advanced technology development (6.3), would see a budget decrease of 7.6% to $5.5 billion. When combined, the proposed 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 funding would make up 2.2% of the $515 billion base defense budget plan for 2009—still well below the 3% target that was established in the Pentagon’s 2001 quadrennial review. Spending by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which draws from 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 accounts, would rise by 11% next year to $3.3 billion.

PTO.v61.i4.37_1.f1.jpg

More winners than losers in Bush’s final science budget. For the third straight year, the president has requested big increases in support for basic physical-sciences research at the Department of Energy, NSF, and NIST as part of his American Competitiveness Initiative, which would double their budgets over 10 years. DOE leads the parade, with a 21% leap proposed for its Office of Science and, in an about-face from last year, an increase for its energy research programs. A 3.7% boost in overall R&D spending by the Department of Defense, to $80.7 billion, is mostly due to weapons system development, though the Pentagon’s relatively small basic research budget would grow 4%, to $1.7 billion. The DOD applied research would plunge 16%, to $4.2 billion. Homeland Security R&D would resume an upward path after a couple of lean years, growing 4% and topping $1 billion. Funding for NOAA research would decline by 1% to $576 million but would increase by 8% if congressional earmarks were excluded. A 2.9% increase for NASA would go entirely toward manned spaceflight development and the International Space Station, with the agency’s science programs slated to decline 5.6%. The National Institutes of Health faces a fifth straight year of flat budgets, while R&D at the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterans Affairs, and US Geological Survey all are set to decline.

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More about the Authors

David Kramer. dkramer@aip.org

This Content Appeared In
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Volume 61, Number 4

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