Clinton formulates $4.75 billion for science

President Clinton's proposed budget for the National Science Foundation earmarks $136 million for biocomplexity in the environment, which includes research conducted in Antarctica.

February 16, 2000
Web posted at: 2:02 p.m. EST (1902 GMT)

President Clinton's request to increase the National Science Foundation budget by $675 million to $4.75 billion for the fiscal year 2001 is receiving high praise from the science community.

"The National Science Foundation drastically needs bold new interdisciplinary initiatives to equip the nation's scientists to solve increasing complex and interacting environmental challenges," said Diana Wall, president of the Ecological Society of America.

Clinton's proposal represents a 17 percent increase over FY 2000 for NSF.

Nearly half of the budget bump — $300 million — will go to what the NSF calls "core research and education activities." The money would not be tied to any of the foundation's focused initiatives.

NSF-funded research projects in Antarctica are directed at all levels of scientific organization, from molecules, cells and organisms to communities, ecosystems and global processes.

Core activities cover areas such as psychological, cognitive and linguistic sciences.

"That (would give) us the flexibility we've been seeking for years," said NSF director Rita Colwell. "This investment also recognizes that one of our highest national priorities must always be to stay at the leading edge of science and engineering research, and education across the board."

The FY 2001 budget would provide increased funding in four areas:

Colwell emphasized that the new budget allows for NSF grants of longer duration. The budget also calls for more researchers, an addition that would help build the scientific data base.

Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved

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Clinton Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget
The Science Coalition
The National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation budget request for fiscal year 2001

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