SUMMARY OF NSF ACCOUNTS
Research and Related Activities
The Research and Related
Activities (R&RA) account supports activities that enable the U.S.
to uphold world leadership in all aspects of science and engineering by
maintaining the overall health of science and engineering across all disciplines,
and providing leadership across the frontier of science and engineering
research. R&RA provides support for research projects, research facilities,
and education and training activities. Among the priorities for R&RA
in FY 1999 are activities associated with the areas of Knowledge and Distributed
Intelligence (KDI), Life and Earth’s Environment (LEE), and Educating for
the Future (EFF). In FY 1999, NSF will implement efforts to address long-standing
concerns about grant sizes by increasing the average size and duration
of awards across R&RA. FY 1999 funding for R&RA totals $2.85 billion,
an 11.8 percent increase over FY 1998. Within R&RA:
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The Biological
Sciences (BIO) Activity supports research ranging from the study of
the structure and dynamics of biological molecules, such as proteins and
nucleic acids, through cells, organs and organisms, to studies of populations
and ecosystems. It encompasses processes that are internal to the organism
as well as those that are external, and includes temporal frameworks ranging
from measurements in real time through individual life spans, to the full
scope of evolutionary time. The FY 1999 Request for BIO totals $417.82
million, a 12.7% increase over FY 1998. Within BIO, support will be maintained
for research that will advance understanding of the structure, organization
and function of plant genomes.
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The Computer
and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Activity supports research
on the theory and foundations of computing, system software and computer
system design, and human-computer interactions, as well as prototyping,
testing and development of cutting-edge computing and communications systems.
CISE also provides the advanced computing and networking capabilities needed
by academic researchers for cutting-edge research in all science and engineering
fields. The FY 1999 Request for CISE totals $331.14 million, a 16.5 percent
increase over FY 1998. To accelerate development of next generation network
applications and services, $25 million will be provided to enhance Internet
capabilities for research and education at colleges and universities as
part of the interagency Next Generation Internet initiative.
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The Engineering
(ENG) Activity seeks to enhance the quality of life and national prosperity
by investing in research and education activities that develop the next
generation of engineers and scientists, spur new technological innovations,
and create new enterprises and careers. ENG also makes critical investments
in facilities, networks, and people to assure diversity and quality in
the nation's infrastructure for engineering education and research. The
FY 1999 Request includes $400.55 million for ENG, an 11.9 percent increase
over FY 1998. Funds are included to meet the mandated level for the Foundation-wide
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
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The Geosciences
(GEO) Activity supports research in the atmospheric, earth, and ocean sciences.
GEO-supported research also advances the ability to predict natural phenomena
of economic and human significance, such as climate changes, weather, earthquakes,
fish-stock fluctuations, and disruptive events in the solar-terrestrial
environment. The FY 1999 Request of $507.31 million, an 11.5 percent increase
over FY 1998, will support fundamental research and national user facilities
across the geosciences, including activities contributing to the U.S. Global
Change Research Program.
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The Mathematical
and Physical Sciences Activity supports research in mathematics, astronomy,
physics, chemistry, and materials science. Major equipment and instrumentation
such as particle accelerators and telescopes are provided to support the
research needs of individual investigators. The FY 1999 Request of $792.03
million, a 10.7 percent increase over FY 1998, will support fundamental
research and national user facilities, as well as education and training
activities.
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The Social,
Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Activity supports research to
build fundamental scientific knowledge about human characteristics and
behavior. SBE also supports the Foundation’s international activities,
providing U.S. scientists and engineers with access to centers of excellence
in science and engineering research and education throughout the world.
To improve understanding of the science and engineering enterprise, SBE
provides informational tools for tracking the human and institutional resources
that make up the nation’s science and engineering infrastructure. The FY
1999 Request is $150.26 million, a 15.0 percent increase over FY 1998.
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Polar
Programs, which include the U.S. Polar Research Programs and U.S. Antarctic
Logistical Support Activities, support multi-disciplinary research in Arctic
and Antarctic regions. The polar regions are geographic frontiers which
provide premier natural laboratories, and provide unique research opportunities
ranging from studies of the earth, ice and oceans to research in atmospheric
sciences and astronomy. In FY 1999, Polar Programs increase 7.2 percent,
to $244.96 million. Increases are provided for Arctic logistics and for
integrated interdisciplinary studies of the Arctic system, as well as for
research on Antarctic ice sheets and oceans. Increases also sustain the
science facilities and operations that make Antarctic research possible.
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The Critical Technologies Institute
is a Federally-funded Research and Development Center established in 1992
by Congress to support the complex task of devising and implementing science
and technology policy. Specifically, the Institute provides analytical
support to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to identify
near-term and long-term objectives for research and development and to
identify options for achieving those objectives.
Education and Human Resources
The FY 1999 Budget Request
for Education and Human Resources (EHR) is $683.0
million, an increase of $50.50 million, or 8 percent, over FY 1998. EHR
supports a cohesive and comprehensive set of activities that encompass
every level of education and every region of the country. EHR also plays
a major role in the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to developing
our nation’s human resources for the science and engineering workforce
of the future.
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Support at the PreK-12 level
totals $414.85 million, an increase of $40.54 million. In FY 1999, priority
is given to efforts across all EHR programs that respond to the K-8 mathematics
initiative, and the research on education and training technologies initiative,
conducted in collaboration with the Department of Education. EHR will focus
its efforts on implementing standards-based mathematics curricula; developing
and implementing assessments; strengthening preparation of pre and in-service
teachers; and expanding state, urban, and district-wide systemic reform
projects. In addition, funding will aim to extend the effective application
of computer, networking, and other technologies to PreK-12 education.
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Support at the Undergraduate
level increases $6.98 million to total $122.68 million. In FY 1999, EHR
will focus on institution-wide implementation of high quality instructional
materials and educational practices in classrooms and laboratories. Advanced
technological education program funding will increase to support curriculum
and faculty development at undergraduate and secondary school levels, aimed
at strengthening the science and mathematics grounding of technicians for
the high-performance workplace
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Support at the Graduate level
is $80.99 million, an increase of $2.20 million. In FY 1999, EHR continues
to increase support for the NSF-wide Integrative Graduate Education and
Research Training (IGERT) program—an interdisciplinary effort that provides
graduate students with the knowledge and professional skills for meeting
career demands of the future. Funding for the Graduate Research Fellowships
program will increase to support a rise in the institutional cost-of-education
allowance.
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Support for research activities
and public understanding of science efforts totals $64.48 million. The
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program
continues efforts to strengthen the infrastructure of participating states.
Co-funding of research proposals across NSF will increase substantially.
FY 1999 funding will also focus on expanding applications of technology
that promote scientific literacy.
Major Research Equipment
The FY 1999 Budget Request
for Major Research Equipment (MRE) is $94.0 million,
a decrease of $15.0 million, or 13.8 percent below the FY 1998 Current
Plan of $109.0 million. The Major Research Equipment account funds the
construction of major research facilities that provide unique capabilities
at the cutting edge of science and engineering. Projects supported by this
account are intended to expand the boundaries of technology and will offer
significant new research opportunities, frequently in totally new directions,
for the science and engineering community.
The MRE FY 1999 request includes
funding for five projects: initial investments in the construction for
the Large Hadron Collider (LHC); the second year of the Design and Development
Phase for the Millimeter Array (MMA); construction of the Polar Cap Observatory
(PCO); reconfiguration of Polar Support Aircraft; and support for the ongoing
modernization of South Pole Station.
Salaries and Expenses
The FY 1999 Budget Request
for Salaries and Expenses (S&E) is $144.0 million, an increase of 5.1
percent over the FY 1998 level of $136.95 million. The Salaries and Expenses
appropriation provides funds for staff salaries and benefits, and general
operating expenses necessary to manage and administer the NSF. The requested
level supports 1,150 full-time equivalents (FTEs), provides for current
administrative services, and enhances the agency’s investment in information
technology to increase productivity.
Office of Inspector General
The Office of Inspector General
(OIG) was established to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness
in administering the Foundation’s programs; to detect and prevent fraud,
waste, or abuse within NSF or by individuals that request or receive NSF
funding; and to identify and resolve cases of misconduct in science. The
FY 1999 request for the OIG is $5.20 million, an increase of $350,000,
or 7.2 percent, over the FY 1998 level.