The National Science Foundation : hearings before the Subcommittee on Science of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Second Congress, second session, February 25; March 3, 1992.

United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Subcommittee on Science

Date:: 1992

Credit: The National Science Foundation : hearings before the Subcommittee on Science of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Second Congress, second session, February 25; March 3, 1992. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$operating budget. Even the national facilities, to which the Federal Government retains title, are treated and budgeted for as part of a single budget for current operating expenses. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, summing up our analysis, we find that, one, the cross-cutting Presi- dential research initiatives constitute a useful approach that prom- ises to strengthen NSF’s research programs. However, these initia- tives should occupy a somewhat smaller fraction of NSF’s total re- search budget than is the case in the budget proposals. Second, the program of support for research facilities is an im- portant but currently badly unbalanced part of NSF’s effort in sup- port of the physical infrastructure. The strong support for new fa- cilities and upgrading of existing facilities at the national research facilities should be supplemented by an equally strong program of support for new facilities and upgrading of existing facilities at the Nation’s universities in order to maintain the vigor and leadership of American academic science. Third, in policymaking for both the cross-cutting research initia- tives and for research facilities, a stronger participation by mem- bers of the scientific community is clearly desirable. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We would certainly be pleased to re- spond to questions. [The prepared statement of Dr. Nelson follows:]$