8 



of discovery ranging from the origins of the universe, to the discov- 

 ery of a new state of matter, to manufacturing microscopic ma- 

 chines. 



We have at our fingertips today an array of experimental instru- 

 ments, computers, information networks that enable us to design 

 and carry out research that would have been impossible just a few 

 years ago. 



Over the next decade, the potential for rapidly increasing our un- 

 derstanding of both the natural world and that shaped by humans, 

 and applying new knowledge and technologies resulting from that 

 research, is staggering. 



Mr. Chairman, we appreciate this opportunity to present this dis- 

 cussion of our fiscal year 1997 budget request and the rationale be- 

 hind the proposals. 



Dr. Petersen and I would be pleased to respond to any questions 

 you might have. 



Mr. Schiff. Dr. Petersen, do you have any separate remarks you 

 would like to make at this time? 



Dr. Petersen. No, I do not. 



Mr. Schiff. Thank you, Dr. Lane. 



[The prepared statement of Dr. Lane follows:] 



TESTIMONY OF 



DR. NEAL LANE 



DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 



BEFORE THE 



SUBCOMMITTEE ON BASIC RESEARCH 



HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE 



MARCH 22, 1996 



Chairman Schiff, Mr. Cramer, members of the committee, it is a pleasure to ap- 

 pear before you to provide an overview of our budget request for the coming fiscal 

 year. I am accompanied this morning by Dr. Anne Petersen, Deputy Director of 

 NSF. 



My remarks this morning will provide a brief overview of how we went about put- 

 ting our budget request together and review some highlights of that request. I have 

 attached a summary of our budget request to my testimony and ask that it be made 

 a part of the record. 



Mr. Chairman, our budget request for fiscal year 1997 is $3,325 billion. This is 

 a 4.6 percent increase above the House and Senate appropriations conference report 

 for fiscal year 1996. After inflation is taken into account, this is a modest increase, 

 but in a time of very tight budgets it reaffirms the priority we give to investments 

 in the nation's future. 



The NSF strategic plan, which was approved by the National Science Board a 

 year and a half ago, served as the starting point for developing our budget. The 

 goals set forth in the plan — maintaining a world leadership position in all aspects 

 of science, mathematics, and engineering; employment of new knowledge in service 

 to society; and excellence in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology edu- 

 cation at all levels — reflect NSF's overall mission. 



In addition to looking to our strategic plan for guidance, we made specific deci- 

 sions about allocating resources by applying three principles. First, we have sought 

 balance across the agency, both as a way of ensuring continuity in our programs 

 and as a way of fulfilling our responsibility as the only federal agency that supports 

 research and education in all fields of science and engineering. We intend to con- 

 tinue this balanced support across major fields while retaining flexibility to move 

 quickly into new and emerging areas. 



