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NSF Congressional Update
February 13, 2003
House Science Committee Holds Hearing on FY04 Budget Request for R&D
 House Science Committee Hearing. On February 13, the House Science Committee held a hearing to examine the Federal budget for research and development for fiscal year 2004.
Testifying were: Dr. John H. Marburger, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Rita R. Colwell, Director of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Samuel W. Bodman, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, and Robert G. Card, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy.
Following opening statements by Committee Chairman Boehlert and Ranking Member Hall, Dr. Marburger stated the Administration's R&D budget priorities as "winning the war on terrorism, strengthening homeland security, and strengthening the economy." He said that the FY04 budget request included $123 billion for R&D which amounts to a 7% increase over the request for FY 2003. Dr. Marburger also described interagency initiatives on combating terrorism, networking and information technology, bioinformatics, nanotechnology, climate change research, and math and science education, with special emphasis on the improvement of pre-K through 12 education. (Dr. Marburger's testimony is available on the web.)
Dr. Colwell told committee members that "the surest way to keep our nation prosperous and secure is to keep it at the forefront of learning and discovery." She stated that NSF is requesting $5.48 billion dollars for FY 04, which is an additional $453 million, or 9 percent more than last year's request. Dr. Colwell outlined NSF's priorities, including biocomplexity, information technology, nanoscale science and engineering, mathematical sciences, human and social dynamics, and the 21st century workforce. She also discussed the priority-setting process at NSF that results from continual consultation with the research community. (Dr. Colwell's testimony is available on the web.)
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