FASEB Federal Funding Consensus Conference - Executive Summary
As originally published in The Physiologist
Volume 45, Number 1, February 2002, page 1
Our investment in scientific research has contributed substantially to our health and quality of life. We have made tremendous progress in the battle against disease and now enjoy longer, healthier lives. With the power of the new discoveries in genetics, we stand on the threshold of even more profound understanding of basic biological processes which will, in turn, dramatically enhance our abilities to prevent, treat and cure disease.
The past year has also seen the rise of new threats to our security. Protection against bioterrorism has become a major national priority. Due to our previous investments in research, the scientific community was able to immediately contribute to the nation’s response to this new threat. Much more remains to be done, and we stand ready to do our part. Scientific research must be an essential component in our plans to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
In this report, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), on behalf of its 21 member societies representing more than 60,000 scientists, offers its view of immediate research opportunities for scientific and medical advancement and provides fiscal year 2003 funding recommendations for the biomedical and life sciences portfolios of seven federal agencies.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
FASEB recommends an appropriation of $27.3 billion for NIH in FY 2003. This will achieve the goal of doubling the NIH budget within five years.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
FASEB supports a major increase in the average size and duration of NSF grants.
FASEB supports funding more of the most meritorious yet currently unfunded proposals.
FASEB advocates a return to the commitment to double the NSF budget and recommends that the NSF budget for FY 2003 be increased by at least 15 percent, to $5.5 billion.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
FASEB supports increasing funding for the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program to at least $200 million. This amount would be a significant step toward bringing the program closer to its authorized level of $500 million.
FASEB recommends that funding for the National Needs Fellowship Grants be increased to $5 million and the Higher Education Challenge Grants increased to $6 million.
FASEB supports development of mechanisms that would enable the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems to become a stable source of research funds.
Department of Energy (DOE)
FASEB recommends a budget of $3,668 million for DOE’s Office of Science in FY 2003 for work that addresses important national needs in basic energy sciences and to augment important core programs, enhance utilization of major research facilities, develop the next generation of scientific tools and strengthen research and education at US universities.
FASEB supports the establishment of the position of Under Secretary of Science and Energy Research.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
FASEB recommends that the Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) give the highest priority to expanding its investigator-initiated, peer-reviewed re-search program. This effort should include an increase in the number of meritorious proposals funded, the addition of a second annual review cycle, expansion of the ground-based research program to support the OBPR flight program and to prepare for utilization of the International Space Station and expansion of outreach activities to enlist, train and retain outstanding investigators.
FASEB recommends an annual increase of $100 million for OBPR’s biological research programs to be used to enhance investigator-initiated, peer-reviewed life sciences research opportunities.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
FASEB recommends that $404 million be appropriated in FY 2003 for VA biomedical research, $33.5 million (a nine-percent increase) over FY 2002. This should be the beginning of a sustained, multi-year investment.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
FASEB encourages the EPAs Office of Research and Development to attract and retain talented scientists through an expanded pre-doctoral, post-doctoral and faculty exchange program.
FASEB urges Congress to provide new funds for projects that it directs the EPA to perform.
FASEB recommends that funding for the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program be increased by $25 million.
FASEB recommends that funding for the EPAs Office of Research and Development budget be increased to $664 million for FY 2003.
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