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APS Science Policy Update
October 4, 2005
In this issue:
- Congress passes a continuing resolution to extend funding as FY 2006 begins
- NIH announces the official establishment of the Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives
- Chronicle of Higher Education article on Chairman Barton
Continuing Resolution passed in Congress During the last week of September, both houses of Congress approved a continuing resolution (CR) that allows federal agencies whose funding bills have not yet become law to continue operating into the new fiscal year, which began on October 3. The CR will extend funding until November 18, 2005, or until the Appropriations bills are signed into law. Funding levels under the CR are set at the lowest level between the House-passed, Senate-passed or FY 2005 levels. This means that for the NIH, NSF and NASA, funding will continue at FY 2005 levels, and spending for VA Medical and Prosthetic Research will be set at the House passed level of $393 million. As a condition of the CR, federal agencies are prohibited from initiating programs or awarding grants that were not funded in the FY 2005 spending bills.
OPASI announcement On September 22, 2005, NIH published a Notification of Organizational Change in the Federal Register to establish the Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI). The purpose of this office as stated in FR Doc. 05-19371 is to "support regular trans-NIH scientific planning and initiatives and the successful and adaptive priority-setting process for identifying areas of scientific and health improvement opportunities." OPASI will exist within the Office of the Director (OD) and will include the NIH Roadmap Initiative. OPASI will be staffed by up to 76 people, and will have three divisions: Resource Development and Analysis; Strategic Coordination; and Evaluation and Systematic Assessments. The divisions will identify a list of potential trans-NIH activities that will be considered by the OPASI Director, the IC Directors and the Council of Councils, which will have a rotating 30-member roster consisting of members of the IC advisory councils, representatives from the OD program offices and members of the lay public.
Federal Register Notice:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-19371.pdf
Article on Chairman Barton The October 7, 2005 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education has a lengthy article about Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee (see below for link). While NIH Reauthorization appears to be on the backburner for this Congressional session, Chairman Barton has made clear that it remains a priority.http://chronicle.com/weekly/v52/i07/07a02301.htm