FY 2009 Omnibus Funding Bill: National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation would receive a 5.9 percent or $362.9 million increase in its FY 2009 budget in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that was released Monday following an agreement by House and Senate appropriators.

H.R. 1105 is now being debated on the House floor. This $410 billion measure consists of nine appropriations bills that were not completed by the start of FY 2009 on October 1, 2008. Following the expected House passage of this legislation it will move to the Senate. While passage of H.R. 1105 is expected, opposition by some Republican senators could delay the enactment of this bill by March 6. The current flat funding for departments and agencies covered in this bill expires on March 6.

A hand-annotated copy of this bill, and its accompanying Joint Explanatory Statement are available here . Explanatory Statement language regarding the National Science Foundation can be viewed in Division B - Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009, which is found on pdf pages 153 through 156. A table with specific line item funding amounts can be viewed at pdf page 345. (Important notes: consult the Explanatory Statement and not the bill text language, and use the pdf and not the typed page numbers.)

The following are the recommended levels of funding for various National Science Foundation programs in H.R. 1105, taken from the above cited table:

Total National Science Foundation:

The FY 2008 enacted budget was $6,127.5 million. The Bush Administration’s FY 2009 request was $6,854.1 million. The omnibus bill recommends $6,490.4 million. This is an increase of $362.9 million or 5.9 percent over FY 2008.

Research and Related Activities:

The FY 2008 enacted budget was $4,844.0 million. The Bush Administration’s FY 2009 request was $5,594.0 million. The omnibus bill recommends $5,183.1 million. This is an increase of $339.1 million or 7.0 percent.

Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction:

The FY 2008 enacted budget was $220.7 million. The Bush Administration’s FY 2009 request was $147.5 million. The omnibus bill recommends $152.0 million. This is a decline of $68.7 million or 31.1 percent.

Education and Human Resources:

The FY 2008 enacted budget was $725.6 million. The Bush Administration’s FY 2009 request was $790.4 million. The omnibus bill recommends $845.3 million. This is an increase of $119.7 million or 16.5 percent.