On December 27, the president signed into law the Fiscal Year 2021 omnibus and COVID Relief and Response Act that funds the federal government for the rest of FY 2021, which ends on September 30, 2021. The House passed the measure by a vote of 327 to 85 on December 21, and the Senate approved it the same day by a 92-to-6 vote.
The "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021" (Public Law 116-260) provides $8.5 billion for the U.S. National Science Foundation, an increase of $208.43 million, or 2.5%, above the FY 2020 appropriation. It provides $6.9 billion for the Research and Related Activities account; $968 million for the Education and Human Resources account; $241 million for the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction account; $346 million for the Agency Operations and Award Management account; $4.5 million for the National Science Board account; and $18 million for the Office of Inspector General account.
Please see the table below for details. Numbers are presented in millions of dollars.
FY 2021 Budget Request ($) |
FY 2021 Current Plan ($) |
|
---|---|---|
Biological Sciences |
704.95 |
819.35 |
Computer and Information Science and Engineering |
1,062.40 |
1,022.22 |
Engineering |
909.78 |
1,035.38 |
Geosciences |
836.61 |
1004.91 |
Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
1,448.32 |
1,582.54 |
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences |
246.84 |
282.67 |
International Science and Engineering |
44.01 |
51.32 |
Polar Programs |
348.78 |
406.35 |
U.S. Antarctic Logistical Support Activities |
71.00 |
77.00 |
Integrative Activities |
538.73 |
597.14 |
U.S. Arctic Research Commission |
1.60 |
1.60 |
Total, Research and Related Activities |
6,213.02 |
6,880.48 |
Education and Human Resources |
930.93 |
968.00 |
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction |
229.75 |
241.00 |
Agency Operations and Award Management |
345.64 |
374.93 |
Office of Inspector General |
17.85 |
17.85 |
Office of the National Science Board |
4.21 |
4.50 |
Total |
$7,741.40 |
$8,486.76 |
Totals may not add due to rounding.
From enacted levels to the FY 2021 Current Plan, funds were transferred from the Research and Related Activities account (-$29.29 million) to the Agency Operations and Award Management account (+$29.29 million).