FY 1997 NSF Request: U.S. Polar Programs
The National Science Foundation budget request states:
“The FY 1997 Budget Request for U.S. Polar Programs is $226.0 million, an increase of $9.0 million, or 4.1%, over the FY 1996 Estimate of $217.0 million.
The over-all U.S. Polar Programs budget request of $226.0 million is distributed as follows (FY 1996 Estimate/FY 1997 Request):
U.S. Arctic Research Program $26.36/29.10 million
U.S. Antarctic Research Grants Program $28.00/$29.10 million
Science Support $40.66/$42.62 million
Operations/Logistics $121.98/$125.18 million
The Polar Program request has two Activities: U.S. Polar Research Programs and U.S. Antarctic Logistical Support Activities.
The U.S. Polar Research Programs budget request is $163.40 million, and increase of 5.8% or $9.00 million. This budget “supports both Arctic and Antarctic research. This Arctic support represents part of a larger NSF and federal Arctic effort. Antarctic support represents the role of NSF as manager of the entire federal Antarctic program, including special requirements for operations and science support.” Within this request, NSF is seeking the following increases: U.S. Arctic Research Program - 10.4%; U.S. Antarctic Research Grants Program - 3.9%; Operations and Science Support - 5.2%.
The U.S. Antarctic Logistical Support Activities budget request is $62.60 million, the same amount as the current budget. The request states that this budget “funds logistics provided by the Department of Defense that contribute to the U.S. presence in Antarctica.”
The foundation’s FY 1997 Major Research Equipment budget request includes safety and environmental improvements at the South Pole. See FYI #58 for information on this budget request.
The NSF submission to Congress makes no reference to questions raised by the FY 1996 VA/HUD appropriations reports on the future of Antarctic operations (see 1995 FYI #131 and 167.)
