14 



as tennis racquets, golf clubs, and sailboats, at higher performance levels, the success of our satellite 

 program, earth-orbiting systems, and stealth aircraft depend on fundamental research in composite materials 



NSF has focused its education programs on delivering benefits to the American people Already, teachers in 

 schools across America are discarding outdated textbooks and methods and are engaging students through 

 hands-on, dynamic approaches to mathematics and science education We are now moving toward 

 unleashing the power of advanced technologies in improving the teaching of mathematics and science in the 

 nation's schools 



GOALS AND PRINCIPLES FOR FY 1997 



The goals and core strategies of NSF's strategic plan, NSF in a Changing World, guided the development of 

 the FY 1997 Budget Request Another influence was the second phase of the National Performance Review 

 (NPR) NPR required NSF to reexamine its mission and functions, and whether this mission was 

 appropriate for the Federal government From this process, the need for NSF's mission was strongly 

 reaffirmed As a result, we have combined NSF's stated goals and strategies with an understanding of the 

 rapid change experienced by other components of the science and technology enterprise, and established a 

 small number of principles for developing this Request 



Balanced Portfolio 



NSF is the only Federal agency with responsibilities that cover research and education in all science and 

 engineering fields Through its activities, NSF invests in specific research and education projects, facilities 

 and instrumentation, not only for the immediate results they produce, but for the groundwork they lay for the 

 future Maintaining a balanced investment that enables the agency to move rapidly to address the most 

 compelling opportunities is a key principle in budget development. 



Balance Across Major Fields of Science. NSF's leadership role in support of research and education in 

 colleges and universities requires both sustained, balanced support and the flexibility to move quickly into 

 new and emerging areas. 



In FY 1997, NSF's Research and Related Activities Account increases by 8 7% to $2 5 billion The major 

 disciplinary science and engineering activities funded through that account experience comparable 

 percentage increases Within the activities, priorities shaped by emerging scientific opportunities result in 

 significant variation at the sub-activity and program levels. 



Balance Across Key Program Functions The second phase of NPR led to the organization of NSF's modes 

 of support into a few key program functions (research project support, research facilities, education and 

 training, and administration and management) through which NSF carries out its work 



