[Budget Supplement]
[Creating Opportunity and Encouraging Responsibility]
[10. Promoting Science and Technology]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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American history clearly demonstrates the importance of American leadership in science and technology to the
future of our Nation. Investments in science and technology drive economic growth, generate new knowledge,
create new jobs, build new industries, ensure sustained national security, and improve our quality of life.
President Clinton
November 1995
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Technological innovation has accounted for at least half of the
Nation's productivity growth in the last 50 years. We enjoy the fruits
of this innovation every day in the many technologies we have come to
depend on for our way of life, including lasers, computers, x-rays,
teflon, weather and communication satellites, jet aircraft, microwave
ovens, solar-electric cells, and human insulin. The development of these
technologies has created new industries and millions of high-skilled,
high-wage American jobs. Thus, technology has become a major engine of
economic growth, a significant contributor to our national security, a
generator of new knowledge, and a critical tool in protecting our health
and environment.
Because our investments in science and technology (S&T) have paid such
rich dividends, sustaining U.S. leadership in S&T is a cornerstone of
the President's vision for America. The budget maintains vital
investments in S&T by adding funds for basic research in health sciences
at the National Institutes of Health, for basic research and education
at the National Science Foundation, for research at other agencies that
depend on S&T for their missions, and for cooperative projects with
industry and universities.
As the President has said, we need to balance the budget in a way that
boosts economic growth and encourages public and private investment in
innovative S&T. This budget continues the record of S&T investment and
economic stimulation that has helped to keep the economy strong over the
last three years.
The Federal Role in S&T
The post-Cold War era is one of intense global economic competition.
Our country also faces new national security challenges, including
threats from environmental degradation, emerging infectious diseases,
the proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons, and regional
conflicts.
Thus, the Federal Government has an indispensable role to play in
investing in S&T--a role critical to the country's economy, national
security, environment, health, and other social needs. This is
especially true when the risk is too great for individual companies to
make the needed investment, or when the public benefit is large but
private return is small. Our Nation also must support a balanced mix of
S&T investments (i.e., basic research, applied research, and technology
development), since the steps involved in technological innovation are
so profoundly interwoven.
The Administration has initiated or expanded public-private
partnerships to spur innovations with broad economic impact. These
partnerships have traditionally served our Nation well, not only in
building transportation infrastructure (e.g., highways, airways,
harbors, and railroads), but in nurturing new types of technological
infrastructure (e.g., information highways, global positioning
satellites, and environmental monitoring
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systems). The partnerships
enable the private sector to translate new knowledge into novel
technologies that benefit its bottom line and society at large.
Science and Technology Highlights
Under the 1996 budget resolution, Congress would cut support to S&T
programs by about 30 percent by the year 2002.\1\ At a time when
increased global competition threatens U.S. markets, and when Japan has
proposed doubling its investments in S&T, the President believes we
cannot afford such deep cuts. In his budget negotiations with the
bipartisan congressional leadership, the President has repeatedly
reaffirmed his commitment to economic prosperity, education, health, the
environment, and national security. S&T investments are critical to
these goals. The budget fulfills his commitments by:
\1\American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1995.
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Increasing Total Funding for Science and Technology: This budget marks
the fourth straight year that the President has proposed increases in
S&T investments. Table 10-1 shows the proposal to invest roughly $73
billion in research and development (R&D), over $1 billion more than in
1996.\2\ In keeping with previous efforts, the budget also provides an
increasing share for civilian R&D investments, with those investments at
47 percent of the total. Table 10-2 lists selected S&T highlights.
\2\Research and development (R&D) is a widely-accepted measure of
investment in S&T.
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Boosting Funding for Basic Research and Health Research: The budget
proposes $14 billion for basic research, a $278 million increase over
1996, including a four percent increase for the National Science
Foundation. Given the importance of basic and applied health science
research, the budget boosts funding at the National Institutes of Health
by four percent.
Strengthening University-based Research: University-based research is
key to America's future; simultaneously, it provides new knowledge and
new technology, and it trains the next generation of scientists and
engineers. The budget proposes $13 billion for university-based
research, an increase of $155 million over 1996. It also proposes $22
billion for merit-reviewed research (six percent more than in 1996),
which comprises 31 percent of the R&D budget.
Investing in Innovation to Create New Jobs and Industries: Under this
Administration, many of the new jobs have been high-tech, high-wage jobs
in industries like biotechnology and computing--jobs that didn't exist a
decade or two ago. The budget maintains a strong investment in
technology to foster these high-priority civilian S&T industries and
jobs. Funding continues or expands for high-performance computing
research; for the Advanced Technology Program, which works with industry
to develop high-risk, high-payoff technologies; for a Manufacturing
Extension Program to help small business battle foreign competition by
adopting modern technologies and production techniques; and for other
programs.
Increasing Environmental Research: S&T investments are critical for
enhancing environmental quality. While we are making progress on many
pollution fronts, emerging global environmental problems pose new risks.
The budget maintains vital research to provide safe food, clean air, and
pure water. It supports research into new environmental technologies to
provide better environmental protection at lower cost, while generating
jobs and exports. It supports programs to increase energy efficiency and
the development of renewable energy sources that cut demand for foreign
oil, and partnerships with industry to develop cars that use less fuel.
The budget invests in programs that preserve biological diversity and
help us understand and prepare for changing climate conditions and
natural disasters. These investments also provide a sound scientific
basis for rational rule-making on, and the cost-effective implementation
of, environmental regulations. (For more details, see Chapter 9.)
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Table 10-1. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS
(Budget authority, dollar amounts in millions)
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Dollar Percent
1993 1995 1996 1997 Change: Change:
Actual Actual Estimate\1\ Proposed 1996 to 1996 to
1997 1997
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By Agency:
Defense....................................... 38,898 35,350 35,428 35,523 +95 +*%
Health and Human Services..................... 10,472 11,519 12,118 12,621 +503 +4%
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 8,873 9,390 9,334 9,359 +25 +*%
Energy........................................ 6,896 6,481 6,689 6,269 -420 -6%
National Science Foundation................... 2,012 2,431 2,430 2,516 +86 +4%
Agriculture................................... 1,467 1,542 1,479 1,499 +20 +1%
Commerce...................................... 793 1,164 1,086 1,260 +174 +16%
Interior...................................... 649 668 622 582 -40 -6%
Transportation................................ 613 667 622 679 +57 +9%
EPA........................................... 511 554 508 585 +77 +15%
Other......................................... 1,308 1,315 1,134 \2\1,786 +652 +57%
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Total......................................... 72,492 71,081 71,450 72,679 +1,229 +2%
By R&D Theme:
Basic research................................ 13,362 13,805 14,059 14,337 +278 +2%
Applied research.............................. 13,608 14,273 14,251 14,862 +611 +4%
Development................................... 42,795 41,118 41,238 41,042 -196 -*%
Equipment..................................... ........ 743 701 696 -5 -1%
Facilities.................................... 2,727 1,142 1,201 1,742 +541 +45%
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Total....................................... 72,492 71,081 71,450 72,679 +1,229 +2%
By Civilian Theme:
Basic research................................ 11,951 12,629 12,940 13,181 +241 +2%
Applied research.............................. 9,130 10,566 10,560 11,135 +575 +5%
Development................................... 7,269 8,488 8,297 8,096 -201 -2%
Equipment..................................... ........ 599 554 546 -8 -1%
Facilities.................................... 1,979 975 996 1,446 +450 +45%
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Subtotal.................................... 30,329 33,257 33,347 34,404 +1,057 +3%
By Defense Theme:
Basic research................................ 1,411 1,176 1,119 1,156 +37 +3%
Applied research.............................. 4,478 3,707 3,691 3,727 +36 +1%
Development................................... 35,526 32,316 32,612 32,615 +3 +*%
Equipment..................................... ........ 458 476 481 +5 +1%
Facilities.................................... 748 167 205 296 +91 +44%
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Subtotal.................................... 42,163 37,824 38,103 38,275 +172 +*%
By R&D Share:
Defense....................................... 42,163 37,824 38,103 38,275 +172 +*%
Civilian...................................... 30,329 33,257 33,347 34,404 +1,057 +3%
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Total....................................... 72,492 71,081 71,450 72,679 +1,229 +2%
Percent civilian................................ 42% 47% 47% 47% NA NA
R&D support to universities..................... 11,674 12,445 12,573 12,728 +155 +1%
Merit (peer) reviewed R&D programs.............. ........ 21,895 21,160 22,406 +1,246 +6%
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NA = Not applicable.
*Less than $500 thousand or 0.5 percent.
\1\Includes Administration's proposed adjustments to 1996 continuing resolution levels.
\2\Includes total funding for several projects as part of a Government-wide transition to upfront funding of
fixed assets.
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Table 10-2. SELECTED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS
(Budget authority, dollar amounts in millions)
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Dollar Percent
1993 1995 1996 1997 Change: Change:
Actual Actual Estimate\1\ Proposed 1996 to 1996 to
1997 1997
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National Science Foundation..................... 2,734 3,229 3,220 3,325 +105 +3%
National Institutes of Health................... 10,325 11,240 11,939 12,406 +467 +4%
Environmental Protection Agency:
Environmental technology initiative........... ........ 72 72 72 +* +*%
Science to achieve results.................... ........ 48 95 115 +20 +21%
National Aeronautics and Space Administration:
International space station................... 2,262 2,113 2,144 2,149 +5 +*%
Mission to Planet Earth....................... 917 1,344 1,289 1,402 +113 +9%
New millennium initiative..................... 67 436 569 549 -20 -4%
Reusable launch vehicle technology program.... 0 129 159 266 +107 +67%
Aeronautics inititiative...................... 129 347 415 442 +27 +7%
Department of Energy:
Stockpile stewardship......................... 1,799 1,520 1,567 1,648 +81 +5%
Science users facilities initiative........... ........ ........ 100 100 +* +*
Energy efficiency and pollution preventions
R&D.......................................... 350 447 417 548 +131 +31%
Renewable energy R&D......................... 257 363 275 363 +88 +32%
Fusion energy science program................. 340 361 244 264 +20 +8%
Department of Commerce:
NIST--Advanced technology program............. 68 341 300 345 +45 +15%
NIST--Manufacturing extension partners........ 18 74 100 105 +5 +5%
NIST--Intramural research..................... 193 247 259 271 +12 +5%
NOAA--Weather service modernization.......... 474 576 604 742 +138 +23%
NTIA--National information infrastructure.... ........ 42 54 59 +5 +9%
Department of Defense dual use application
program........................................ ........ ........ ............ 250 +250 +*
USDA national research initiative............... 98 101 97 130 +33 +34%
Department of Transportation intelligent
transportation system.......................... 155 217 208 337 +129 +62%
National Science and Technology Council
initiatives:
High performance computing and
communications:\2\
Defense.................................... 298 375 315 337 +22 +7%
Health and Human Services.................. 47 68 81 87 +6 +7%
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration............................. 82 131 116 104 -12 -10%
Energy..................................... 100 119 121 125 +4 +3%
National Science Foundation................ 233 297 291 280 -11 -4%
Commerce................................... 12 30 31 34 +3 +10%
Environmental Protection Agency............. ........ 12 12 6 -6 -48%
Transportation............................. ........ 24 23 43 +20 +87%
Education.................................. ........ 16 12 18 +6 +50%
Veterans................................... ........ 24 21 16 -5 -24%
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Subtotal.................................. 772 1,096 1,023 1,050 +28 +3%
U.S. global change research program:\3\
Health and Human Services.................. 1 4 4 4 +* +*
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration............................. 917 1,308 1,250 1,375 +125 +10%
Energy..................................... 118 119 111 112 +2 +1%
National Science Foundation................ 124 169 163 170 +7 +4%
Agriculture................................ 55 60 56 59 +3 +5%
Commerce................................... 66 57 60 69 +9 +15%
Interior................................... 38 30 29 29 +* +*
Transportation............................. ........ 6 6 7 +1 +17%
Environmental Protection Agency............ ........ 23 25 19 -6 -24%
Smithsonian................................ ........ 7 7 7 +* +*
Tennesse Valley Authority.................. ........ 2 1 1 +* +*
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Subtotal.................................. 1,319 1,785 1,712 1,852 +141 +8%
Environment and natural resources............ ........ 5,365 5,186 5,448 +262 +5%
Partnership for a new generation of vehicles. ........ 223 241 288 +47 +20%
Construction and building.................... ........ 168 162 194 +32 +20%
Educational technology....................... ........ 464 397 434 +37 +9%
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*Less than $500 thousand or 0.5 percent.
\1\Includes Administration's proposed adjustments to 1996 continuing resolution levels.
\2\Listing by agency required by law.
\3\Listing by agency required by law, subset of Environment and Natural Resources.
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Investing in a 21st-Century Education: Information technology has
revolutionized America's businesses, but largely bypassed its
classrooms. We must use this new technology to help children prepare for
the challenges of the 21st Century. Building on the experience of
earlier Federal investment in educational technology, the President is
proposing a new Technology Literacy Challenge Fund to encourage States
and communities, working with private sector partners, to develop and
implement plans for adopting these technologies. (For more details, see
Chapter 8.)
Enhancing Programs to Keep Our Nation Secure: While the budget
continues investments in defense research that ensure our strong, future
military capabilities, it also fosters key programs to: keep nuclear
weapons out of the hands of terrorists; achieve a Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty by using science-based techniques to ensure the safety and
reliability of our nuclear weapons stockpiles; and bolster strong
international S&T cooperation to improve global stability. The budget
also supports the Dual Use Applications program, which puts the
technical know-how and economies of scale from commercial industry at
the service of national defense.
Agency Highlights
National Science Foundation (NSF): The NSF promotes science in service
to society, primarily by awarding competitively-selected grants for
research and education. Because most NSF awards go to our Nation's
colleges and universities, they serve to both produce knowledge and
train the next generation of scientists and engineers. The budget
proposes $3.3 billion for NSF, a more than three percent increase over
1996. Included are funds to address critical health, safety, and
environmental impact issues at the Amundsen-Scott Station at the South
Pole.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): The budget continues the
Administration's commitment to biomedical and behavioral research, which
promotes the health and well-being of all Americans. The proposed $12.4
billion for NIH is a $467 million, or four percent, increase over 1996.
NIH's highest priority continues to be funding investigator-initiated,
peer-reviewed research project grants. The budget includes increases for
HIV/AIDS-related research, research into breast cancer and other health
concerns of women, minority health initiatives, high performance
computing, prevention research, gene therapy, and developmental and
reproductive biology. The budget also includes funding for a new NIH
Clinical Research Center, which would give NIH a state-of-the-art
research facility in which scientists would bring their latest
discoveries from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Environmental Technology Initiative (ETI): The ETI is a partnership
among government, industry, non-governmental organizations, and
communities to protect public health and prevent pollution by promoting
innovative environmental technologies, both in the United States and
abroad. ETI supports regulatory reinvention efforts by allowing
companies and communities to comply with environmental regulations by
using the most cost-effective technology strategies possible. The budget
proposes $72 million for ETI, and a total of $127 million for all of
EPA's environmental technology efforts.
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program: The budget proposes $115
million (21 percent more than in 1996) for the STAR program, which
awards grants on the basis of rigorous peer review by extramural
researchers. Under the program, EPA cooperates with NSF and the Energy
Department to sponsor joint requests for grant applications.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
International Space Station: The Administration proposes continued
funding of the International Space Station at $2.1 billion. In less than
two years, NASA will launch the first segments of this ambitious
undertaking among the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, and Russia.
NASA and the Russian Space Agency have reconfirmed their commitments to
the program and have conducted precursor research on two Space Shuttle
flights to the Russian MIR space station, with another seven planned
through 1998.
Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE): MTPE is NASA's effort to observe,
understand, and predict natural and human-induced changes
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to the
environment. The budget proposes $1.4 billion for MTPE, nine percent
more than in 1996. MTPE programs include the Earth Observing System
satellites and information system, the Landsat satellite, and a broad
range of scientific research and data analysis activities. NASA is also
exploring new ways to obtain environmental data using very small
spacecraft and purchasing data sets from industry.
New Millennium Initiative (NMI): The NMI represents a fundamentally
new way for NASA to develop and operate robotic space missions. The
initiative has transformed space missions from occasional, decade-long,
multi-billion dollar undertakings to more frequent, cheaper, and
exciting projects that have reinvigorated a broad section of the space
science community. The budget proposes $549 million to support over 25
missions, either in orbit or under development.
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology Program: The RLV technology
program develops technology designed to significantly cut the cost of
getting into space. The budget proposes $266 million in preparation for
a 1996 decision whether to proceed with the X-33, an experimental flight
vehicle whose costs would be shared with industry.
Aeronautics Initiative: The budget proposes $442 million for NASA
aeronautics initiatives, a seven percent increase over 1996. These
initiatives are partnerships with industry and include advanced subsonic
technology and high speed research that may revolutionize the next
generation of airplanes.
Department of Energy (DOE):
Stockpile Stewardship: The President's commitment to a Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is closely linked to the Administration's plan to
maintain the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile
through scientific experiments and computer modeling (i.e., no explosive
testing of nuclear weapons). The budget proposes $1.6 billion for these
efforts in 1997, a five percent increase over 1996, reflecting the
President's commitment to provide sufficient funding for this program
next year and over the next decade. Closely linked to this program, the
President also is committed to funding a comprehensive R&D program over
the next decade to improve treaty monitoring capabilities and
operations. President Clinton hopes to complete and sign the CTBT in
1996.
Science User Facilities Initiative: The budget proposes continuing
this $100 million initiative begun in 1996 to supplement the operations
and capabilities of DOE's major basic research facilities. The 1996
funding has generated an increase in hours of operation ranging from 20
to 100 percent at various DOE facilities; additional staff support for
the university, government, and industry researchers; and upgraded and
expanded instrumentation.
Energy Efficiency and Pollution Prevention R&D: The budget proposes
increases for research on technologies that use natural gas and
electricity more efficiently; new manufacturing processes that offer
higher productivity as well as lower energy and environmental costs; and
innovative transportation and energy conversion processes. The budget
proposes $548 million, $131 million more than in 1996.
Renewable Energy R&D: The budget proposes $363 million, $88 million
over 1996, for research and technical assistance to foster world-class
competitive renewable electricity and fuels industries, including solar
thermal and photovoltaic, wind and geothermal power, transportation
fuels, and energy from biomass crops and wastes. The development of
alternative energy sources represents a critical environmental and
economic issue for the next century.
Fusion Energy Sciences Program: DOE continues to support basic
research and experimentation in plasma and fusion sciences, with the
long-term goal of harnessing fusion as a viable energy source. The
budget proposes $264 million, roughly an eight percent increase over
1996, and provides for increased basic research activities, the
investigation of tokamak alternatives, and continued operation of the
three major U.S. experimental machines. The budget proposes continued
U.S. participation in the design of the International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor.
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Department of Commerce (DOC):
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): NIST promotes
U.S. economic growth by working with industry to develop and apply
technology, measurements, and standards. NIST employs a unique
combination of innovative programs. The Advanced Technology Program
(ATP) is a rigorously competitive, industry-led, and cost-shared R&D
program that fosters technology development, promotes industrial
alliances, and creates jobs. The budget proposes $345 million for ATP to
support roughly $120 million in new awards and continue commitments to
over 500 companies. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
provides the Nation's 381,000 smaller manufacturers with technological
information and expertise that could improve their operations. The
budget proposes $105 million for MEP to support 75 extension centers
nationwide. The budget proposes $271 million for NIST laboratories to
support important measurement research with industry in areas such as
semiconductor metrology, advanced materials, and biotechnology. The
budget also proposes $105 million for technology facilities, $80 million
of which to construct a new Advanced Technology Laboratory to support
cutting-edge research.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National
Weather Service Modernization: The largest modernization in the National
Weather Service's history is well underway. The budget requests $742
million to support this multi-year effort to develop and deploy cutting-
edge technology, including advanced radar equipment, other ground
observing systems, and geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites that
will greatly improve the timeliness and accuracy of severe weather and
flood warnings.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
National Information Infrastructure (NII) Grants Program: The budget
requests $59 million in grants to help develop the NII, which provides
the infrastructure that enables computers to connect to one another and
to information systems across the country. These grants help fund
demonstration projects to show how information technology can improve
the delivery of educational, health, and other social services.
Department of Defense (DOD) Dual Use Applications Program: The budget
includes $250 million for the Dual Use Applications Program (DUAP). DOD
would solicit projects as Government-industry partnerships, and select
those that meet military needs. The DUAP is built around a three-year
process of transition from technology concept to product demonstration.
This new program builds on the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP), a
highly successful experiment that proved DOD could acquire superior
commercial technologies for military needs through cost sharing,
Government-industry partnerships.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Research Initiative: The
budget proposes $130 million for the National Research Initiative (NRI),
a 34 percent increase over 1996, to support research on a broad range of
topics, including integrated pest management, biological control of
pests and diseases, human nutrition, plant genome, water quality, food
safety, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural systems. NRI is unique
in USDA's research portfolio because its awards are based on merit
review evaluations by scientific peers.
Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
Initiative: The budget includes $337 million for the ITS initiative, an
increase of 62 percent over 1996. Under ITS, the Administration would
work with 75 of the Nation's largest and most congested metropolitan
areas to develop and deploy modern information technology for highway
and transit systems.
National Science and Technology Council Interagency Initiatives
High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC): The budget
proposes $1 billion, a three percent increase over 1996, for research
and development in information and communications technologies that
build on HPCC's accomplishments over the past five years.
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Environment and Natural Resources: The budget proposes $5.4 billion, a
five percent increase over 1996, for research to address environmental
issues ranging from local to regional to global, including: air quality,
biodiversity and ecosystems, global change, natural disaster reduction,
resource use and management, toxic substances/hazardous and solid waste,
and water resources/coastal and marine environments. The budget includes
$1.9 billion for the U.S. Global Change Research Program, eight percent
more than in 1996.
Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles: The budget proposes $288
million, a $47 million increase over 1996, for research to: 1) develop
advanced manufacturing techniques that make it easier to get new
automobiles and auto components into the marketplace quickly; 2) use new
technologies for near-term improvements in auto efficiency, safety, and
emissions; and 3) lead to production prototypes of vehicles that are
three times more fuel efficient than today's cars, with no sacrifice in
comfort, performance, or price.
Construction and Building: The budget proposes $194 million, a 20
percent increase over 1996, for research to develop better construction
technologies to improve the competitive performance of U.S. industry,
raise the life cycle performance of buildings, and protect public safety
and the environment.
Educational Technology: The budget proposes $434 million, or a nine
percent increase over 1996, for research and development on education
and training to improve learning in schools, workplaces, and homes.
(See, for instance, ``Investing in a 21st-Century Education,'' earlier
in this chapter.)