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FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 41: March 31, 2003

Final FY 2003 National Science Foundation Appropriation

As previously stated, the lengthy struggle to enact the final FY 2003
appropriations bill has been followed, in some cases, by weeks of
calculations by federal agency budget officers trying to determine
their program numbers for this year.  In order to make the numbers
add up, adjustments were made by the appropriators in different parts
of the 3,000+ page conference report.   This FYI presents the "final"
budget numbers for major programs within the National Science
Foundation.  These numbers are still subject to minor adjustments.
Selections from the final conference report language in House Report
108-010 are provided. 

First the numbers:

The TOTAL NSF Budget increases $501.4 million, or 10.4%, from
$4,808.5 million in FY 2002 to $5,310.0 million in the current fiscal
year. 

The RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES budget increases $457.8 million,
or 12.7%, from $3,598.6 million in FY 2002 to $4,056.5 million in the
current fiscal year.

The following budgets are within the Research and Related Activities
budget:

The MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES budget increases $114.0
million, or 12.4%, from $920.5 million in FY 2002 to $1,034.4 million
in the current fiscal year.

The GEOSCIENCES budget increases $75.3 million, or 12.3%, from $609.5
million in FY 2002 to $684.7 million in the current fiscal year.

The ENGINEERING budget increases $58.3 million, or 12.3%, from $472.3
million in FY 2002 to $530.6 million in the current fiscal year.

The U.S. POLAR RESEARCH PROGRAMS budget  increases $21.4 million, or
7.2%, from $297.8 million in FY 2002 to $319.2 million in the current
fiscal year.

In other sections of the budget:

The MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES  budget increases $9.7
million, or 7.0%, from $138.8 million in FY 2002 to $148.5 million in
the current fiscal year.

The EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES budget increases $8.9 million, or
1.0%,  from $894.3 million in FY 2002 to $903.2 million in the
current fiscal year.

Conference report language regarding the overall budget  for the
National Science Foundation states: "In allocating this increased
funding to the directorates, NSF is expected to give a high priority
to increasing research opportunities for investigator initiated
research in the core scientific disciplines.  In addition, NSF is
urged to use the growth in its resources to make a marked and
substantial increase in the average award, as well as increase the
number of awards being made with a particular effort to include those
individuals and institutions not well represented in the Nation's
research enterprise."

The following selections from the conference report pertain to
physics-related programs.  All of the amounts specified are subject
to a reduction of 0.65%.

MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES: The conference report states:
"$1,041,165,000 for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Of this
amount, $179,617,000 is for Mathematics programs and not less than
$222,169,000 is for Physical Science programs. The conferees further
agree that adequate resources be provided in support of the National
High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the Cyclotron and Synchrotron
Radiation Facilities, and other such important research facilities.
The Foundation is directed to provide, by August 31, 2003, a report
which documents what has been accomplished as a result of the growth
in mathematics research funding. 

"For Astronomical Sciences within the MPS Directorate, $4,000,000 is
provided for the Telescope Systems Instrumentation Program (TSIP),
$6,000,000 is for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory program,
$4,200,000 is for the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, and
$2,000,000 is for the National Optical Astronomy and Ionosphere
Center. In addition, the conferees agree that NSF should provide
adequate support for preparatory work for the Giant Segmented Mirror
Telescope (GSMT)." 

GEOSCIENCES: The conference report provides $689.2 million, and
states: "The Foundation is expected to provide adequate funding to
augment support for the national user facilities within this
directorate as well as to move forward on the integrated ocean
drilling program." 

U.S. POLAR RESEARCH PROGRAMS: The conference report provides $252.3
million, and states: "The conferees agree that OPP  [Office of Polar
Programs] should report at the earliest practicable time on the
necessary work and costs associated with the repair, upgrading, and
replacement of NSF's research and support facilities in Antarctica.
Upon completion of this report, funds available through this and
other appropriations may be used for planning, design,
pre-construction, and construction activities as identified in the
report. In addition, the conferees agree that with the funds
provided, OPP may execute necessary contractual arrangements in
preparation for the Foundation's plan for mechanical traverse between
McMurdo Station and Amundson-Scott South Pole Station."

A forthcoming FYI will review the conference report language
regarding Education and Human Resources.  The conference report also
had considerable language regarding management issues and the role of
the National Science Foundation.

###############
Richard M. Jones
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi{at}aip.org
(301) 209-3094
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