Senate Report Language: The Future of the National Science Foundation

Accompanying the Senate version of H.R. 4624 is a report providing the Senate Appropriations Committee’s views and recommendations. A section of the report on the National Science Foundation outlines subcommittee chairwoman Barbara Mikulski’s (D-MD) and her colleagues’ views on the future of the NSF:

“The Committee reaffirms its position on the future of the National Science Foundation that was outlined in its fiscal year 1994 report, Senate Report 103-137 [see FYI #116, 1993.] With the national focus on deficit reduction, research universities will be under increasing pressure throughout the next decade to reassess their priorities and to allocate resources judiciously. Federal funding cannot be expected to compensate for decreases in private-sector research investments. Growth in the number of graduating Ph.D. students educated in narrow disciplines cannot be sustained, while dramatic improvements in science, math, engineering, and technical education at all levels will be necessary to build the broadly competent work force the Nation will need to support a strong and productive economy. Industry will look to universities more and more to deliver capable, well-educated graduates as well as to make research advances that will improve their products and processes over the long term. Universities expect and need leadership from the National Science Foundation to help them design and implement a new agenda for the future in research and education. The Foundation’s leadership must be exercised within the context of an integrated Federal investment strategy for research and development that is designed to stimulate the creation of new knowledge and new technologies that in turn lead to new employment opportunities, greater economic security, and improved quality of life for all of our citizens.

“To accomplish these national goals, the Committee challenged NSF last year to develop and emphasize support for research and education in strategically important areas; strengthen its partnerships with industry, State and local governments, and other Federal agencies; address the issue of modernizing the Nation’s academic research infrastructure; and develop performance milestones that will be used to judge the effectiveness of the agency’s programs and initiatives.

“The Director and the National Science Board have embraced these ideas and have engaged the scientific and engineering community in a strategic planning process that recognizes the new realities and opportunities of the post-cold war order. Partnerships and working relationships with other Government agencies and with industry are improving. Formal mechanisms are being put into place to reassess program priorities for the long term, to set appropriate performance milestones and evaluation methods, and to ensure accountability in the management and implementation of strategic research and education initiatives. The Committee acknowledges the efforts of the Foundation as it undertakes this transition, and commends the Director for his leadership. The Committee directs the Foundation to submit its comprehensive long-range strategic plan to the Committee by November 1, 1994.”