FY 1997 NSF Request: Major Research Equipment and Academic Research Infrastructure

MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT:

The National Science Foundation budget request states:

“The FY 1997 Budget Request for Major Research Equipment is $95.0 million, an increase of $25.0 million, or 35.7% above the FY 1996 Estimate of $70.0 million.”

Two projects will be funded in FY 1997 through this budget category: the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) and South Pole infrastructure improvements.

LIGO funding would remain constant at $70.0 million. Construction is to be completed in FY 1998, with a transition to operations starting the following year. LIGO R&D funding is also provided through the Physics Subactivity. The budget document states: “In FY 1997, support will include the initial activities needed for the operational phase of the facility. Interferometer installation will be completed in FY 2000, with scientific operations beginning the following year. Operations costs are estimated to be approximately $20.0 million per year and will be funded through the R&RA [Research and Related Activities] account.”

SOUTH POLE infrastructure improvements are needed, according to the budget document, because “it is increasingly costly to maintain activities within acceptable risk bounds. To address safety and environmental concerns, several specific improvements are proposed to address critical shortcomings. A request of $25.0 million in FY 1997 provides improvement for the heavy equipment maintenance facility [$7.96 million], the power plant [$12.49 million], and fuel storage facilities [$4.55 million].... All three improvements will be completed by 2002.”

The budget document states that the GEMINI Observatories project has previously received the entire $88.0 million U.S. contribution for construction. First light is expected at the Mauna Kea telescope in December 1998, followed by the Chilean telescope in 2000. Annual operating costs will be approximately $14.00 million, which will be split among the six participating nations.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE:

The foundation proposes to zero this account. The budget document states: “While revitalizing the Nation’s academic research laboratories remains an important national objective, NSF believes it deserves lower priority than core investments in research and education.” Last year, NSF requested $100.0 million for this budget category. Under the new budget, the Research and Related Activities account is augmented by $50.00 million for instrumentation.