NSF Funding Bill Passes Senate With 1% Increase Over FY 2005

The Senate voted on September 15 to provide the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) with $5.5 billion for fiscal year 2006 (10/1/05 - 9/30/06) in its approval by a 91-4 vote of the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act. According to a statement released by NSF, "Congress will not be able to finish its work on the measure before the end of the current fiscal year, on September 30. Until a final bill is signed by the President, temporary funding for the NSF and the other included agencies will have to be provided by short term extensions of their current budgets." Many programs received very modest 0.30% increases over 2005 levels. The Education and Human Resources account was funded 11% below current levels but 1% above the request. The Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account was funded 11% above current levels but 23% below the budget request. The NSF FY 2006 Budget Request document can be found here.