[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                                                             
                                                                                                                

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  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)                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Dollar    Percent
                                                    1993      1995        1996        1997     Change:   Change:
                                                   Actual    Actual    Estimate\1\  Proposed   1996 to   1996 to
                                                                                                1997      1997  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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% 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
  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% 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    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% 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    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% 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    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% 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    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% 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.                                                                                                 


[[Page 98]]
                             Table 10-2.  SELECTED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS                            
                                 (Budget authority, dollar amounts in millions)                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Dollar    Percent
                                                    1993      1995        1996        1997     Change:   Change:
                                                   Actual    Actual    Estimate\1\  Proposed   1996 to   1996 to
                                                                                                1997      1997  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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% 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
      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        +*        +* 
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
      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% 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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
[[Page 100]]
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.)