Clinton Administration Requests 8.2% Increase for NSF

The administration has requested an 8.2% increase in the National Science Foundation budget for fiscal year 1994. This $240 million increase brings NSF’s total budget request for the year starting on October 1, 1993 to $3.18 billion.

The NSF budget book is still being prepared, and so the “fine print” on various programs is unavailable. Below figures assume that supplemental funding for NSF, contained in the stimulus bill now before the Senate, is approved. This supplemental funding will change current spending levels, upon which all percentage and dollar increases are based.

RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES: A 7.1% increase ($148.58 million) to $2,204.80 million. Under this category are:

Mathematical and Physical Sciences Activity (MPS): An 8.8% increase ($57.96 million) to $718.39 million. Under this category are:

Total Physics Funding: A 3.4% increase ($4.70 million) to $142.60 million.

Research Project Support: A 2.6% increase ($2.70 million) to $106.85 million.

Physics Facilities: A 5.9% increase ($2.00 million) to $35.75 million.

Total Astronomical Sciences Funding: A 3.0% increase ($3.30 million) to $113.94 million.

Research Project Support: A 3.8% increase ($1.50 million) to $40.78 million.

National Centers: A 2.5% increase ($1.80 million) to $73.16 million.

Total Materials Research Funding: A 7.1% increase ($11.40 million) to $170.95 million.

Materials Research Project Support: A 5.4% increase ($4.70 million) to $92.41 million.

Materials Research Centers and Groups: A 6.6% increase ($3.50 million) to $56.44 million.

National Facilities and Instrumentation: A 16.9% increase ($3.20 million) to $22.10 million.

Major Research Equipment Funding: A 50.0% increase ($24.00 million) to $72.00 million.

Geosciences (a separate program element on the same level as MPS): A 6.9% increase ($13.54 million) to $209.78 million. Under this category are:

Total Atmospheric Sciences Funding: A 5.3% increase ($7.48 million) to $149.10 million.

Earth Sciences Funding: A 7.8% increase ($6.47 million) to $89.65 million.

Ocean Sciences Funding: A 6.9% increase ($13.54 million) to $209.78 million.

EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES is a separate program, on the same level as Research and Related Activities. Total spending would increase $8.7% ($44.53 million) to $556.10 million. Under this category are:

Systemic Reform: A 20.2% increase ($17.30 million) to $102.98 million.

Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education: A 5.0% increase ($9.50 million) to $197.95 million.

Undergraduate Education: A 21.2% increase ($13.10 million) to $74.84 million.

Graduate Education and Research Development: A 6.4% increase ($4.00 million) to $66.46 million.

Human Resource Development: A 34.8% increase ($17.00 million) to $65.89 million.

Research, Evaluation and Dissemination: A 19.1% increase ($7.70 million) to $47.98 million.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH FACILITIES AND INSTRUMENTATION is a separate program, on the level of Education and Human Resources. Total funding would be $55.00 million, a decline of $70,000. Determining funding is somewhat complicated because of a carryover.

Future issues of FYI will provide detailed information on selected portions of the NSF budget request.