NCSE Helps Put Science into Economic Stimulus Bill

NCSE attended the Office of Science and Technology Policy's FY 2010 Budget Rollout at AAAS. See 2010 Federal Research & Development Budget Rollout: Overview of the U.S. 2010 Science and Technology R&D Budget

Update: March 24, 2009

NCSE has identified at least $100 billion in additional funding for environmental and energy research and education in the economic stimulus legislation and the fiscal 2009 omnibus appropriations act. This report shows the allocation of additional funding by department and major independent agencies above the fiscal 2008 baseline:Summary of Federal Environment and Energy Research and Education Funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and 2009 Omnibus Bills. 

February 23, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) recently signed by President Obama provides significant funding for science, as a foundation for long-term economic recovery as well as short-term stimulus. ARRA contains approximately $22 billion for scientific research and development, broken down as follows:

• $3 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF):
  • $2.5 billion for NSF research and research-related activities. Sustained, targeted investment by NSF in basic research in fundamental science and engineering advances discovery and spurs innovation.
  • $400 million for the construction and development of major research facilities that perform cutting-edge research
  • $100 million for improving instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• $8.5 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE):
  • $1.6 billion for the Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation
  • $400 million for the Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) to support high-risk, high-reward research into energy sources and energy efficiency
  • $2.5 billion for research, development, and demonstration projects through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  • $2 billion to support research and manufacturing of advanced vehicle batteries
• $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• $580 million for the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• $830 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• $1 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• $176 million for Agricultural Research Service facilities
• $300 million for Department of Defense (DOD) research for renewable energy generation, transmission, storage, and use on military installations
• $140 million to modernize U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science facilities and equipment

NCSE collected examples of “construction ready” projects to build or improve science facilities at more than 30 of our affiliate universities. We supplied this information to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and to Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) who led the effort to include science funding in the bill. According to Chris Gaston, Legislative Director for Congressman Holt, “I want to let you know how helpful your data was in the successful push we made for science in the recovery bill.  I think by all accounts, the funding levels are a great success.”

NCSE Senior Scientist David Blockstein spoke recently with NSF Director Arden Bement, who told Dr. Blockstein how pleased he was with the additional funds provided to NSF. According to Dr. Bement, he expects that most of the money will simply go to increasing the number of awards from existing competitions. However, he anticipates opening supplemental competition for at least some of the science infrastructure and facilities program announcements. NCSE will keep our Affiliates informed of these opportunities.