image: For more than six decades, the core mission of NSF has been to support fundamental scientific research. As the only Federal agency dedicated to the support of basic research and education in all fields of science and engineering, NSF empowers discoveries across a broad spectrum of scientific inquiry. view more
Credit: Credit: (left to right) from ATE Centers Impact 2011 (<a target="_blank"href="http://www.atecenters.org">www.atecenters.org</a>); KC Roeyer; David Haring, the Duke Lemur Center; ALMA
National Science Foundation (NSF) Acting Director Cora Marrett presented President Obama's fiscal year (FY) 2015 Budget Request to Congress for NSF today.
The FY15 Budget Request for NSF of $7.3 billion supports investments in fundamental research across all scientific disciplines, engineering and education that continue to enhance our national economy, security and quality of life. The budget request represents an increase of about 1 percent over the FY 2014 appropriation of $7.2 billion.
"For more than six decades, the core mission of NSF has been to support fundamental research," said Marrett. "With this budget request, the Administration has conveyed its determination to build on the nation's history of success in leading-edge discovery and innovation."
Detailed information on the FY15 Budget Request is available beginning today on the NSF website.
About 94 percent of the budget request is for research and related activities, education, and facilities, reflecting the agency's core mission. In most areas, the NSF budget is in line with previous budgets. Notably, Education and Human Resources received an increase, as did Agency Operations and Award Management, the latter due primarily to the investment in the future new home of the Foundation, currently projected for completion in 2016.
NSF provides 24 percent of total federal support of academic basic research in all science and engineering fields in the U.S., with some 2,000 U.S. colleges, universities and other institutions expected to receive NSF funding. Each year, NSF receives about 50,000 proposals, and through its competitive merit review process, awards about 11,000 grants that engage the talents of about 300,000 researchers, postdoctoral fellows, trainees, teachers and students. That support is divided equally among individuals, teams, centers and major facilities.
Additional funding provided by the Administration's Opportunity, Growth and Security Initiative (OGSI) will ensure strong support for the core activities that transform the frontiers of learning and discovery, allowing NSF to provide about 1,000 additional research grants. OGSI will add to NSF's support for important national priorities in areas such as climate change, energy, advanced manufacturing, neuroscience and human capital development.
In concert with the release of the FY 2015 Budget Request, NSF is disseminating its strategic plan, which will guide NSF's operations through 2018.
Video of Marrett's budget briefing, when available, will be posted to this page.
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