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 Knowledge
and innovation are powerful forces for progress in the lives of
people and nations. The leadership of the United States and its
unsurpassed standard of living rest on the solid foundation of achievement
in science and engineering. Investments in fundamental research
and education have supported decades of U.S. global leadership in
discovery, learning and innovation.
The National Science Foundation requests $5.745 billion in FY
2005 to ensure that U.S. science and engineering capabilities and
skills remain world class. These investments will enhance discovery
and accelerate the country to greater economic and social prosperity.
NSF research and education programs have provided a steady stream
of benefits to the nation for over fifty years. NSF investments
in the physical sciences are allowing us to probe the origins of
the universe, to create new materials for the 21st century, and
to understand the basic forces and processes that enable and shape
biological activity.
Today, the nation faces new economic, social and security challenges
that make maintaining the strength of our science and engineering
enterprise an imperative. That means pioneering new frontiers in
every field of science, engineering and technology. It means enriching
education and experience for our world-class science, engineering
and technology workforce and making it more diverse in the process.
At the same time, it means building strong partnerships within
the global research community.
We have crossed the threshold into a new era of exploration, one
that will give us deeper understanding of our planet, the universe
and ourselves. The opportunity to improve the quality of people’s
lives worldwide – through new products, processes and services – is
within our reach.
The NSF FY 2005 Budget Request addresses these opportunities and
challenges through an integrated portfolio of investments in People,
Ideas, Tools, and Organizational Excellence, so that the job gets
done effectively and meets the highest expectations of the U.S.
public. In keeping with efforts to promote fiscal responsibility
across the government, NSF’s FY 2005 Request identifies three
clear priorities:
- Strengthen NSF management to maximize effectiveness
and performance.
- Improve the productivity of researchers and expand opportunities
for students.
- Strengthen the nation’s performance with world-class
instruments and facilities.
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