January 9, 2015
On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, the president signed into law the "Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act" of Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law No. 113-235). The legislation will provide the U.S. National Science Foundation with $7.344 billion, an increase of $172 million (or 2.3%) over the FY 2014 Current Plan level of $7.172 billion, and $89 million (or 1.2%) above the president's FY 2015 request.
In the bill, the Research and Related Activities account receives $5.934 billion, $132 million (2.2%) above the Current Plan, and $126 million (2.2%) above the request. The Education and Human Resources Directorate is given $866 million in the bill, an increase of $20.6 million (2.4%) over the Current Plan, but $24 million (2.7%) below the request. The Major Research, Equipment and Facilities Construction account is funded at $200.76 million, $0.76 million over the Current Plan, and equal to the request. The Agency Operation and Awards Management account is given $325 million, $18 million (5.8%) over the Current Plan, but $13 million (4.1%) below the request. The National Science Board is provided $4.37 million, an increase of 1.6% from the Current Plan, and equal to the request. The Office of Inspector General receives $14.43 million, an increase of 1% over the Current Plan, and equal to the request.
Please see the table below for details. Numbers are presented in millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
| FY 2014 Current Plan ($) |
FY 2015 Request ($) | FY 2015 Omnibus ($) |
Difference vs. Current Plan ($) | Difference vs. Current Plan (Percent) | Difference vs. FY 2015 Request ($) | Difference vs. FY 2015 Request (Percent) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Related Activities |
5,801.63 |
5,807.46 |
5,933.65 |
132.02 |
2.22% |
126 |
2.13% |
| Education and Human Resources |
845.44 |
889.75 |
866.00 |
20.56 |
2.37% |
(24) |
-2.74% |
| Major Research, Equipment and Facilities Construction |
200.00 |
200.76 |
200.76 |
0.76 |
0.38% |
- |
0.00% |
| Agency Operation and Awards Management |
306.26 |
338.23 |
325.99 |
18.74 |
5.77% |
(13) |
-4.07% |
| Office of Inspector General |
14.28 |
14.43 |
14.43 |
0.15 |
1.04% |
- |
0.00% |
| Office of the National Science Board |
4.30 |
4.37 |
4.37 |
0.07 |
1.60% |
- |
0.00% |
| Total |
$7,171.91 |
$7,255 |
$7,344.205 |
$172 |
2.35% |
$89 |
1.21% |
Totals may not add due to rounding.
Full report language
National Science Foundation
This Act includes $7,344,205,000 for the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Research and Related Activities
This Act includes $5,933,645,000 for Research and Related Activities (R&RA). NSF's R&RA reduction and consolidation proposals are incorporated unless specifically noted otherwise in this statement or in language in either the House or Senate report that is not modified or superseded by this statement.
Neuroscience. - House report language regarding funding and policy for neuroscience at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is adopted by reference. Furthermore, NSF is encouraged to work in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience (IWGN) and the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative to establish a National Brain Observatory working group to determine how to use the data infrastructure of the NSF, the Department of Energys national laboratory network, and other applicable agencies to help neuroscientists collect, standardize, manage, and analyze the large amounts of data that will result from research attempting to understand how the brain functions. NSF shall report to the Committees on Appropriations not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act on the progress of this effort.
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction
This Act includes $200,760,000 for Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction.
Education and Human Resources
This Act includes $866,000,000 for Education and Human Resources (EHR). The agreement includes $66,000,000 for Advanced Technological Education; $32,000,000 for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program; $46,000,000 for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; and $13,500,000 for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. NSF's EHR termination and reduction proposals are incorporated unless specifically noted otherwise in this statement or in language in either the House or Senate report that is not modified or superseded by this statement.
Broadening participation programs .-Within existing funding for these programs, the agreement includes up to $3,000,000 to create effective models of intervention to nurture students in STEM subjects from K -12 through undergraduate studies, as described in the Senate report. NSF shall comply with House direction to meet the needs of Hispanic Serving Institutions through existing NSF programs and shall report to the Committees no later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act on how these activities increase the recruitment, retention and graduation rates of Hispanic students in STEM fields.
Agency Operations and Award Management
This Act includes $325,000,000 for Agency Operations and Award Management.
Office of the National Science Board
This Act includes $4,370,000 for the National Science Board.
Office of Inspector General
This Act includes $14,430,000 for the Office of Inspector General.
Administrative Provision
This Act includes a provision that establishes terms and conditions for the transfer of funds.