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

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.

More about the Authors
David Kramer. dkramer@aip.org