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RESEARCH PROJECT SUPPORT 



Research Project Support includes funding for both Research Projects and Centers 



(Millions of Dollars) 



FY 1995 FY 1996 FY 1997 

 Actual Estimate Request 



Research Projects 1,570 1,553 1,659 

 Centers 196 202 209 



Total, Research Project Support $1,766 $1,755 $1,868 



Research Projects 



FY 1997 support for Research Projects totals $1,659 million, an increase of about $106 million, or 6 8 

 percent, over FY 1996 Research Projects develop intellectual capital through support for individuals and 

 small groups of investigators in disciplinary and cross-disciplinary fields of research, including areas of 

 national priority Project support includes funding for researchers as well as postdoctoral associates and 

 undergraduate and graduate assistants, emphasizing the discovery of new knowledge as well as 

 contributing significantly to education and training Funds are provided for items necessary for performing 

 research such as instrumentation and supplies and related costs for travel and conference support NSF 

 seeks out and supports excellent proposals from groups and regions that traditionally have not fully 

 participated in science, mathematics, and engineering In addition, the Experimental Program to Stimulate 

 Competitive Research (EPSCoR), a State-NSF partnership, will continue to support improvements in 

 academic research competitiveness 



NSF relies on merit review to guide investments within its existing programs As current awards expire, 

 funds are reallocated to new opportunities. The requested increment will intensify NSF-supported efforts 

 in such areas as genome sequencing; computational and theoretical biology, human-centered systems 

 such as learning technologies and virtual environments, computing systems, networking, communications 

 and the convergence of computing and communications; synthesis and processing of nano-particles, 

 water, coastal and marine research; biodiversity, environmental technologies and bioremediation, Arctic 

 research on ocean surface heat budget, and Antarctic studies of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet In addition, 

 $50 million will be used to support an NSF-wide instrumentation program. 



University/industry partnerships within an integrated education/research environment will be supported 

 through expansion of the Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) program New 

 Focused Research Groups (FRGs) in materials science will be initiated and an Industry-University 

 Environmental Chemistry Institute will also be initiated 



Support is targeted for young investigators and for increasing participation of women and minority 

 researchers The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program, which was initiated in FY 1995. 

 will increase by 48 percent to $73 million in FY 1997 CAREER supports junior faculty within the context 

 of their overall career development and combines, in a single program, the integrated support of quality 

 research and education. 



The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is mandated to increase from 2 percent of 

 extramural research to 2.5 percent in FY 1997 The program will total approximately $52 million, an 

 increase of almost $13 million over the nearly $39 million for SBIR in the FY 1996 Estimate 



