AIP FYI #23: FY 2004 NSF Request: Engineering

The Bush Administration is requesting an increase in the FY 2004
Engineering Activity’s budget of 10.0%, or $48.6 million, as compared to the
FY 2003 request. The $536.6 million request is14.0% higher than the
activity’s FY 2002 budget. As previously explained, the FY 2003
appropriations bill for the National Science Foundation has not been
enacted.

The Engineering Activity has a wide range of programs. Information on a
specific component of the Administration’s request can be found in the
budget document presented to Congress that is available at
http//:www.nsf.gov/bfa/bud/fy2004/toc.htm . The Engineering Activity
section can be found on pages 225-246.

There are six subactivities within the Engineering Activity:

Bioengineering and Environmental Systems: The FY 2004 request of $47.9
million is 9.2%, or $4.0 million, over the FY 2003 request. This is an
increase of 15.9%, or $6.6 million, over the FY 2002 budget.

Chemical and Transport Systems: The FY 2004 request of $66.2 million is
12.3%, or $7.3 million, above the FY 2003 request. This is an increase of
15.7%, or $9.0 million, over the FY 2002 budget.

Civil and Mechanical Systems: The FY 2004 request of $64.4 million is
11.4%, or $6.6 million, above the FY 2003 request. This is an increase of
14.7%, or $8.3 million, over the FY 2002 budget.

Design, Manufacture, and Industrial Innovation: The FY 2004 request of
$163.1 million is 15.5%, or $21.8 million, above the FY 2003 request. This
is an increase of 20.8%, or $28.1 million, over the FY 2002 budget.

Electrical and Communications Systems: The FY 2004 request of $70.8
million is 6.1%, or $4.1 million, above the FY 2003 request. This is an
increase of 9.3%, or $6.0 million, over the FY 2002 budget.

Engineering Education and Centers: The FY 2004 request of $124.3 million
is 4.0%, or $4.8 million, above the FY 2003 request. This is an increase of
6.7%, or $7.8 million, over the FY 2002 budget.

One of the Engineering programs that has been identified as an FY 2004
“priority area” is nanotechnology. The introduction for this section
states:

“Nanoscale Science and Engineering: In FY 2004, ENG will provide $106.85
million for Nanoscale Science and Engineering activities, an increase of
$12.50 million over the FY 2003 Request of $94.35 million. ENG will support
comprehensive research on nanotechnology for functional nanostructures,
processing and fabrication of nanostructured materials, new devices and
architectures, tools for investigation at nanoscale, and technologies with
applications ranging from biology to environmental sensing. Requested funds
expand research in the following areas: Manufacturing processes at the
nanoscale; Bio-chemical-radiological-explosive detection and protection;
Infrastructure; and Education and societal implications.”

In addition:

“In FY 2004, ENG support for the enhancement of infrastructure to conduct
engineering research is funded at $10.75 million, an increase of $6.45
million over the FY 2003 Request of $4.30 million.

“Of this funding, $8.80 million will be provided to the National
Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN), an integrated national network
of user facilities that will support the future infrastructure needs for
research and education in the burgeoning nanoscale science and engineering
field. The facilities comprising this network will be diverse in
capabilities, research areas, and geographic locations, and the network will
have the flexibility to grow or reconfigure as needs arise. The NNIN will
broadly support nanotechnology activities outlined in the National
Nanotechnology Initiative investment strategy. It will provide users across
the nation access to leading-edge fabrication and characterization tools and
instruments in support of nanoscale science and engineering research,
develop and maintain advanced research infrastructure, contribute to the
education and training of a new workforce skilled in nanotechnology and the
latest laboratory techniques, conduct outreach to the science and
engineering communities, and explore the social and ethical implications of
nanotechnology. The NNIN will supersede the National Nanofabrication Users
Network (NNUN), initiated in 1994 and coming to the completion of NSF
support at the end of 2003.”

Richard M. Jones

Media and Government Relations Division

The American Institute of Physics

fyi@aip.org

(301) 209-3094