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H.Rept. 105-610, NSF Section of the House VA/HUD Committee
Report
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Fiscal year 1999 recommendation |
$3,626,700,000 |
Fiscal year 1998 appropriation |
$3,429,000,000 |
| Fiscal year 1999
budget request |
$3,773,000,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1998 appropriation |
+$197,700,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1999 request |
-$146,300,000 |
The National Science Foundation was established in
1950 and received its first appropriation of $225,000
in 1951. The primary purpose behind its creation was
to develop a national policy on science, and support
and promote basic research and education in the sciences
filling the void left after World War II.
The Committee recommends a total of $3,626,700,000
for fiscal year 1999. This recommendation is an increase
of $217,000,000 above last year's appropriation and
$146,300,000 below the President's budget request.
Of the amounts approved in the following appropriations
accounts, the Foundation must limit transfers of funds
between programs and activities to not more than $500,000
without prior approval of the Committee.
Further, no changes may be made to any account or program
element if it is construed to be policy or a change
in policy. Any activity or program cited in this report
shall be construed as the position of the Committee
and should not be subject to reductions or reprogramming
without prior approval of the Committee. Finally,
it is the intent of the Committee that all carryover
funds in the various appropriations accounts are subject
to the normal reprogramming requirements outlined
above.
RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Fiscal year 1999 recommendation |
$2,745,000,000 |
Fiscal year 1998 appropriation |
$2,545,700,000 |
| Fiscal year 1999
budget request |
$2,846,800,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1998 appropriation |
+$199,300,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1999 request |
-$101,800,000 |
The appropriation for Research and Related Activities
covers all programs in the Foundation except Education
and Human Resources, Salaries and Expenses, NSF Headquarters
Relocation, Major Research Equipment, and the Office
of Inspector General. These are funded in other accounts
in the bill. The Research and Related Activities appropriation
includes United States Polar Research Programs and
Antarctic Logistical Support Activities and the Critical
Technologies Institute, which were previously funded
through separate appropriations. Beginning with fiscal
year 1997, the President's budget provided funding
for the instrumentation portion of Academic Research
Infrastructure in this account.
The Committee recommends $2,745,000,000 for Research
and Related Activities in fiscal year 1999, an increase
of $199,300,000 above last year's funding level and
$101,800,000 below the budget request. An additional
appropriation of $70,000,000 is included in Title
IV-General Provisions of this bill. The funding increase
over the 1998 level is intended to be spread proportionally
throughout NSF's Research and Related Activities as
outlined in the budget request and accompanying justification,
except as specifically noted below.
It is the Committee's intention that within the increased
funding level provided for fiscal year 1999, Atmospheric
Sciences will receive the budget request of no less
than $170,000,000, Earth Sciences the budget request
of no less than $106,000,000, and Ocean Sciences the
budget request of no less than $230,000,000. No funds
have been provided for the GLOBE program.
The Committee has included bill language intended
to make it clear that NSF will no longer have the
governmental responsibility to administer the domain
name and numbering system of the Internet. While NSF
may have appeared to be a logical choice to have such
a mission several years ago, the overwhelming growth
and maturity of the Internet clearly point to other
agencies of government, such as the Commerce Department,
as the better candidates to oversee the system.
The scientific work performed by and through the NSF
in Antarctica continues to be of great importance
to the Committee. At the same time such scientific
endeavors proceed, however, significant and perhaps
difficult changes regarding the management and logistics
of operations throughout the continent are taking
place. Such changes remain a concern for the Committee
from the standpoint of minimizing the disruption of
ongoing science while at the same time maximizing
the use of available fiscal resources. In this vein,
questions were raised by the Committee in the context
of the fiscal year 1999 budget hearings focusing on
utilizing industry best management and accounting
practices as well as reducing disruptions while the
move towards privatization and facility upgrade moves
forward. For example, NSF has indicated that the construction
schedule at South Pole will of necessity reduce the
number of flights available to shuttle researchers.
While this circumstance is obviously unavoidable to
some degree, the Committee believes every effort should
be made to maintain the highest level of ongoing science
possible.
Similarly, NSF has reported the need to upgrade its
air traffic management system on the continent. Such
a system will most likely require significant appropriations,
and it is the Committee's desire to begin planning
for such future needs now rather than at the "last
minute." Again, lack of adequate lead time to facilitate
these upgrades will only serve to further disrupt
ongoing operations. The Committee expects to be kept
informed on a regular basis of the progress and the
problems occurring in Antarctica as events move forward,
and also expects to receive a semi-annual accounting
of the specific cost savings generated as a result
of the privatization of operations.
The Foundation's budget contains $50,000,000 for major
research instrumentation. These funds are distributed
at the outset of each year to each of the research
directorates. Ultimately, the distributed resources
are reallocated based on actual funding decisions
made on proposals submitted in response to the program
announcement. This reallocation leads to annual revisions
in the operating plan for each of the research directorates,
usually late in the fiscal year. Even though the NSF
has made these adjustments in accord with the Committee's
reprogramming procedures, it does make it difficult
to track funding trends among and between the various
activities within the research account.
Therefore, the Committee requests the Foundation to
use the fiscal year 1999 operating plan and the 2000
budget request to begin displaying major research
implementation as an activity within the Research
and Related Activities appropriation account.
The Committee understands that the Foundation is reorganizing
its behavioral and social science research programs
to accelerate the impressive advances that are occurring
in these areas. The Committee applauds this reorganization
as a sign of NSF's expanding commitment to these areas
and reiterates its belief that basic research in the
behavioral sciences is central in understanding and
addressing many national concerns. Also noted is the
publication of "Basic Research in Psychological Science,''
a human capital initiative report on the achievements
in many areas of psychological research such as visual
and auditory perception, memory and learning, decision
making, social and culture-based behaviors, and human
development. The Foundation is encouraged to use this
report in establishing behavioral and social science
research priorities.
In testimony before the Committee on the 1999 budget
request, the National Science Board was asked to discuss
its recent report on government funding for scientific
research which, among other matters, calls for more
comprehensive coordination of federally funded research.
In response, the report was noted to comment that,
"there should be an overall strategy for research,
with areas of increased and areas of decreased emphasis.
The budget as a whole should be adequate both to serve
national priorities and to foster a world-class scientific
and technical enterprise. To this end, Congress and
the Administration need to establish a process that
examines the complete Federal research budget before
the budget is disaggregated for consideration in Congressional
committees.''
The Board's witness went on to say that, "The Board
has concluded that an appropriate next step is to
initiate a study of guidelines for priority setting
across fields of science that go beyond those proposed
in the COSEPUP report * * * [The] purpose of this
task would not be to set priorities, but rather to
undertake a study of how they might best be set. The
study should involve the opinions of a diverse group
including, among others, active researchers with breadth
of vision."
The Committee strongly agrees with the thrust of the
NSB report and the comments of the NSB witness. The
Foundation is thus asked to develop the guidelines
for such a study and provide for the Committee at
the earliest possible date a proposed plan, including
necessary costs, to accomplish this task and institute
such a study.
Finally, in a response to questions raised at the
aforementioned budget hearing, it was determined that
the NSF Director has since fiscal year 1995 maintained
a so-called "Opportunity Fund." Resources for this
Fund are derived from proportionate "contributions"
requested of each of the research directorates.
The Committee is not aware of any reference to the
existence or the use of this Fund in either the budget
justification or in the annual operating plans. While
the Committee will at this time reserve judgment with
respect to the use of further appropriated funds in
this manner, the Foundation is directed to provide
by November 1, 1998 a report detailing specifically
the amount, the origin, and the use of these funds
since NSF instituted the program. Should the Fund
exist beyond fiscal year 1998, the Committee expects
to see a spending plan submitted for the Fund as part
of the operating plan, as well as a detailed reference
to the Fund and its planned use in the budget justification.
The National Science Board (NSB) approved the Science
and Technology Centers Program in August 1987. Ten
years later, the NSB reviewed the program and approved
its continuation based upon its documented success.
Among the reasons for the success of the program has
been that Centers have been selected because of the
strength of the individual research performers that
have applied. With participation open to all research
performers, and with independent evaluation every
three years, the Centers have been selected and continued
strictly on the basis of the following criteria:
- Research merit and educational excellence;
- Exploitation of opportunities in science, engineering,
and technology where the complexity of the research
problems or the resources needed to solve these
problems require the advantages of scope, scale,
change, duration, equipment, facilities, and students
that can only be provided by a campus-based Center;
- Investigations at the frontiers of knowledge,
at interfaces of disciplines and/or fresh approaches
at the core of disciplines;
- The engagement of the Nation's intellectual talents,
drawn from its full human diversity (especially
women and underrepresented minorities), in the
conduct of human research and education activities;
- Organizational connections and linkages within
and between campuses, schools and/or the world
beyond (state, local, federal agencies, national
labs, industry, international);
- Focus on integrative learning and discovery and
the preparation of students for a diverse set
of career paths; and
- Science and engineering in service to society
especially with respect to new research areas,
promising new instrumentation, and potential new
technologies.
The Committee has provided continued funding for the
Centers program, with the understanding that the Foundation
will continue to apply these criteria for the selection
of Centers. The Committee is concerned that the effectiveness
of the program could suffer if its limited resources
were diverted from a strict evaluation of merit to
other allocation mechanisms.
MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT
Fiscal year 1999 recommendation |
$90,000,000 |
Fiscal year 1998 appropriation |
$74,000,000 |
| Fiscal year 1999
budget request |
$94,000,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1998 appropriation |
+$16,000,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1999 request |
-$4,000,000 |
This account provides funding for the construction
of major research facilities that provide unique capabilities
at the cutting edge of science and engineering.
The Committee recommends a total of $90,000,000 for
the major research equipment account for fiscal year
1999. This level reflects $9,000,000 for the Millimeter
Array, $22,000,000 for the Large Hadron Collider,
$20,000,000 Polar support aircraft upgrades, and $39,000,000
for continued maintenance and construction of new
facilities in Antarctica.
The Committee recommendation for the Millimeter Array,
LHC, and Polar support aircraft upgrades is the same
as requested in the budget submission. The South Pole
Station/Antarctica construction project has been increased
from the budget request of $22,000,000 to $39,000,000,
reflecting the Committee's desire to provide as much
"up-front'' funding as possible so as to achieve maximum
economies of scale and planning and purchasing flexibility
at an early stage of the project.
With this appropriation, the Committee will have provided
some $109,000,000 of the $127,900,000 projected cost
of the project. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee
has recommended no funding for the Polar Cap Observatory.
This action is taken reluctantly and without prejudice.
Indeed, the Committee has been a strong proponent
of the project and believes the science to be achieved
would go far towards enhancing our understanding of
the conditions in the space environment that can influence
the performance and reliability of space-borne and
ground-based technological systems. Such systems include
satellites, communications, navigation, and electric
power distribution grids.
Despite the value of the project, however, difficulties
in resolving concerns voiced by various parties have
effectively brought the project to a standstill. Moreover,
there appears to be little likelihood that a resolution
of these concerns will come about soon. The Committee
has therefore determined to utilize funds budgeted
for this project to enhance the funding proposed for
construction of South Pole Station. Should these concerns
be resolved prior to final passage of this measure
or in future months, the Committee will revisit funding
for PCO at the earliest possible time.
The Committee has not advanced funded MRE projects
as was proposed in the budget submission.
Although the Committee has provided the budget request
of $9,000,000 for the Millimeter Array--which is similar
to the funding provided in fiscal year 1998--there
is considerable concern that the construction phase
of this important project may be delayed or abandoned
as a consequence of not securing funding partnerships
with foreign organizations. The Foundation is encouraged
to continue to actively pursue an appropriate sharing
arrangement, and the Committee expects to be kept
informed of the progress in this regard.
Last year, the Committee noted that the scientific
opportunities associated with high-field nuclear magnetic
resonance technologies were being pursued by scientists
in other nations. This past January, scientists met
in Washington, D.C. to examine the opportunities these
major instruments could provide in the exploration
of new frontiers. As this technology is one of the
most exciting and promising for new advances, the
Committee strongly encourages NSF to carefully review
and consider this report as it seeks future MRE activities.
EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Fiscal year 1999 recommendation |
$642,500,000 |
Fiscal year 1998 appropriation |
$632,500,000 |
| Fiscal year 1999
budget request |
$683,000,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1998 appropriation |
+$10,000,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1999 request |
-$40,500,000 |
The Foundation's Education and Human Resources activities
are designed to encourage the entrance of talented
students into science and technology careers, to improve
the undergraduate science and engineering education
environment, to assist in providing all pre-college
students with a level of education in mathematics,
science, and technology that reflects the needs of
the nation and is the highest quality attained anywhere
in the world, and extend greater research opportunities
to underrepresented segment of the scientific and
engineering communities.
For fiscal year 1999, the Committee recommends $642,500,000,
an increase of $10,000,000 above last year's appropriated
level and a decrease of $40,500,000 below the budget
request. Within this total funding level, the Committee
expects that up to $7,500,000 above the budget request
be used for graduate needs of under-represented minority
doctorates in science and engineering. Additionally,
the Foundation is directed to provide $41,000,000,
or $5,000,000 over the budget request, for the Informal
Science Education program.
The National Science Foundation has made considerable
progress with its state, urban, and rural systemic
initiatives designed to promote reform of K 12 math
and science education. Early results show significant
math and science student achievements in NSF funded
sites. The Committee believes each program should
be sustained as appropriate and in particular, the
Urban Systemic Initiative should be fully funded in
fiscal year 1999.
The Committee notes the national model for which the
Alliance for Minority Participation program has become
for producing minority scientists and engineers. This
very important national initiative should be sustained
as well as the K 12 programs that serve as feeders
to it. One initiative of the program, the summer science
camp program, serves as a stimulant for interest in
math and science and is the foundation for future
interest in this subject area.
Although only established within the past few years,
the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program
is viewed as crucial to ensuring a highly competent
technical workforce. The Committee is pleased that
the Foundation has forged effective partnerships with
the relevant, local scientific and technical business
sector to further expand the scope and significance
of the program. The Committee encourages continued
growth of this important activity. Additionally, the
Committee urges the Foundation to incorporate advance
technology in its math, science, engineering, and
technology programs including the math/science education
programs and the K 12 summer science camps mentioned
previously.
Efforts to achieve high quality math and science performance
in the K-12 sector is highly dependent upon the quality
of the teacher workforce and, especially in urban
and rural school systems, there is a growing inadequacy
of highly qualified math and science teachers. Accordingly,
the Committee strongly urges the National Science
Foundation to strengthen and significantly expand
its math and science teacher preparation programs.
Increasingly the purposeful applications of technology
is regarded as an integral and value-added component
of high quality math, science, engineering and technology
education. The National Science Foundation is urged
to increase its investment in research and development
that underpin learning technologies and their application
in math, science, engineering, and technology education
sites at the K 12, two year and community colleges,
and undergraduate levels.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal year 1999 recommendation |
$144,000,000 |
Fiscal year 1998 appropriation |
$136,950,000 |
| Fiscal year 1999
budget request |
$144,000,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1998 appropriation |
+$7,050,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1999 request |
0 |
The Salaries and Expenses activity provides for the
operation, support and management, and direction of
all Foundation programs and activities and includes
necessary funds that develop, manage, and coordinate
Foundation programs.
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $144,000,000
for salaries and expenses, the same as the President's
budget request and an increase of $7,050,000 over
last year's appropriated level.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Fiscal year 1999 recommendation |
$5,200,000 |
Fiscal year 1998 appropriation |
$4,850,000 |
| Fiscal year 1999
budget request |
$5,200,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1998 appropriation |
+$350,000 |
| Comparison with fiscal year
1999 request |
0 |
This account provides National Science Foundation audit
and investigation functions to identify and correct
management and administrative deficiencies which could
lead to fraud, waste, or abuse.
For fiscal year 1999, the Committee has recommended
$5,200,000 for the Office of Inspector General. This
amount is $350,000 above last year's funding level
and is the same as the President's budget request.
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