Selected Federal Research and Development Agencies' 

 Investments in the Development of New Scientists and Engineers 



In 1989, the Nation invested $132 billion, 

 or 2.6 percent of the gross national pro- 

 duct, in research and development. Of 

 this amount, the Federal Government 

 spent approximately 50 percent or 63 

 billion. Federal agencies invested in 

 numerous programs that contributed 

 directly and indirectly to the develop- 

 ment of new scientists and engineers. 



For Fiscal Year 1990, Federal agencies 

 will continue, expand, or initiate some 

 specific extramural programs which help 



meet the national need. Estimated 

 amounts are shown in the figure for eight 

 agencies (Departments of Agriculture, 

 Defense, Energy, and Interior: 

 Environmental Protection Agency; 

 National Aeronautics and Space 

 Administration: National Institutes of 

 Health; and National Science Founda- 

 tion). The dollar amounts do not include 

 all of the efforts currently underway in 

 these or other Federal agencies, nor do 

 they include the value of staff time 

 devoted to activities such as being role 

 models and mentors to students, or part- 

 ners to educators. Nevertheless, they are 

 illustrative of ways the Federal research 

 and development enterprise may be used 

 as leverage to help develop future talent, 

 and to increase the participation of those 

 who traditionally have been under- 

 represented in science and engineering. 



In the chart, the amounts for specifically 

 selected programs are summarized and 

 arrayed along the educational con- 

 tinuum. Focused programs, which are 

 designed specifically to enhance the par- 

 ticipation of those underrepresented in 

 science and engineering, total $209 

 million in 1990 or 2 percent of 

 mainstream programs. Mainstream pro- 

 grams, in which anyone can participate, 

 total over $9 billion. The Federal research 

 and development agencies are committed 

 to increasing the representation of 

 women, minorities, and people with 

 disabilities in both focused and 

 mainstream programs. 



27 



