Stimulus Package and Omnibus FY09 Budget to Make Significant Investments in S&T

On February 24^th, in his address to Joint Session of Congress, President Obama stated that "we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We have also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history – an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine, science, and technology." In his message prefacing the FY 2010 Budget Summary (see White House summary), the President repeated this message: "And we will invest in the science, research, and technology that will lead to new medical breakthroughs, new discoveries, and entire new industries... Our universities are still the envy of the world. We are still home to the most brilliant minds, the most creative entrepreneurs, and the most advanced technology and innovation that history has ever known." This is a 142-page overview of the FY2010 budget request;  a detailed budget will be submitted to Congress in mid-April. 

February was a good month for Science and Technology.  The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $21.5 billion in federal R&D funding, $18.0 billion for conduct of R&D and $3.5 billion for R&D facilities and capital equipment.  NSF received $3.0 billion, DOE Office of Science $1.6 billion, DOE EER&E $2.5 billion, DOE Fossil Energy $1 billion, ARPA-e $400 million, NIST $580 million, NIH $10.4 billion, NASA $1.0 billion, NOAA $836 million and USGS $$140 million (click here for details). Last week the House passed an Omnibus Appropriations for  FY2009, which includes $6.5 billion for NSF ($363 million above FY2008), $4.77 billion for DOE/OES ($755 million above FY2008), $819 million for NIST ($63.1 million above FY2008), $17.8 billion for NASA ($385 million above FY2008) and $4.4 billion for NOAA ($469 million above  FY2008).  Senate action is expected soon. Congress will probably have to pass a CR today to keep the Federal Government functioning.