2008 Federal Budget Cuts Out Science Increases
Well, it’s pretty much final now — the 2008 federal budget eliminates virtually all of the planned increases for science funding. This, despite bipartisan support and a new law, the American COMPETES Act. See the article in Science here. An examination of the appropriations shows that — Democrats and Republicans alike — opted to preserve earmarks (i.e., “pork”) at the cost of the previously planned science increases. Even the few science agency budget increases seem to be there only when they bring specific mandates to particular districts.
With regard to our main sources of federal research funding — NSF CISE and DARPA — both will have less money in 2008 after adjusting for inflation.
Where do we go from here? Perhaps the only positive is that the community is fully mobilized to argue the issues and will have an even louder rallying cry in Washington next year. But it may take some time to recover the optimism we were starting to gain just a few months ago.
Peter Lee @ December 19, 2007
How cold-hearted can you be. Who is going to protect javelinas from the Mexican Grey Wolves if we increase science funding.
You need to get your mind right!