Final FY 2003 NIST, USGS, and NIBIB Appropriations

As previously stated, the lengthy struggle to enact the 3,000 page FY 2003 appropriations bill has been followed by further calculations to determine final program figures for the current year. This FYI provides selected budget numbers for NIST, USGS, and NIBIB. These numbers are still subject to minor adjustments. Selections from the final conference report language in House Report 108-010 are provided.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY:

The total NIST budget increased $23.0 million, or 3.4%, from $684.5 million in FY 2002 to $707.5 million in the current fiscal year.

The laboratory budget within the Scientific and Technical Research and Services budget increased $27.1 million, or 8.3%, from $324.8 million in FY 2002 to $351.9 million in the current fiscal year.

The Advanced Technology Program budget decreased $6.5 million, or 3.5%, from $184.5 million in FY 2002 to $178.0 million in the current fiscal year.

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership budget decreased $0.6 million, or 0.6%, from $106.5 million in FY 2002 to $105.9 million in the current fiscal year.

The conference report states:

“Recent economic downturns have had a devastating effect on the manufacturing sector. Therefore, to ameliorate some of the effect on this sector, the conferees have included . . . [funding] for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program to fund all existing centers.”

Advanced Technology Program: “The conference agreement includes $180,000,000 for the program, of which $60,700,000 is for new awards [note: these 2003 figures were not reduced by 0.65% across-the-board reduction]. This amount, when combined with approximately $34,000,000 in prior year funds, provides ATP awards at the fiscal year 2002 level. Within the amounts made available, $45,000,000 shall be used for administrative costs, internal laboratory support, and for Small Business Innovation Research Program requirements.”

In a section regarding the construction of NIST facilities, specific amounts are provided for the Gaithersburg and Boulder laboratories. The conference report concludes: “This account supports all NIST activities by providing the state of the art facilities necessary to carry out the NIST mission.”

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

The conference report does not provide FY 2003 figures for the six major programs within USGS.

The total USGS budget (Surveys, Investigations and Research) budget increased $5.3 million, or 0.6%, from $914.0 million in FY 2002 to $919.3 million in the current fiscal year.

The conference report states:

“The managers recognize the need to implement The National Map for the Nation’s urban areas. These urban areas are the home to more than 160 million citizens, located in areas subject to many natural hazards, such as coastal storms and wildland fires. The managers believe it is important to have up-to-date information available to Federal, State, and local governments, the private sector, and the public for emergency response. The managers recommend that the Survey continue its efforts to develop and implement The National Map, keeping the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations appraised of its progress and future plans through its budget submissions.”

“The managers support strongly Survey partnerships with coalitions of institutions that maintain a strong emphasis on collaborative research, Federal-State partnerships, and public-private partnerships. Wherever possible, the managers encourage the Survey to co-locate at these institutions when this furthers the goals of the Survey, the Department, and the Administration.”

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING:

The NIBIB budget increased $166.3 million, or 148.5%, from $112.0 million in FY 2002 to $278.3 million in the current fiscal year.

There was no conference report language providing guidance.