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Research Reporter: April 2008
Research Information from the University of Michigan
Washington Update
Appropriations fight for research funding is afoot
By Sarah Walkling
Director of Federal Relations for Research & Assistant Director of the UM Washington, D.C. office
As the annual appropriation battle begins once again in Washington, advocates for science and engineering are waging campaigns to protect federal research programs in today's tight budget climate.
Given reports that Congress may not make final FY09 funding decisions until after the November elections, these campaigns are likely to last into next year. In March, the House and Senate both passed Budget Resolutions that recommended strong funding levels for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and for physical sciences programs.
In the weeks following that vote, the Michigan delegation and other members of Congress sent letters to the powerful Appropriations Committees calling for increases for major federal research programs.
The programs of concern are the NIH, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science.
Efforts also are ongoing to include money for the NSF and for the Office of Science in the upcoming supplemental appropriations bill to fund U.S. military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The sense of urgency is in response to the final FY08 appropriations decisions made last winter in which Congress agreed that all domestic federal programs would be funded at the President's initial budget request level. The only exception was medical care for veterans, which would receive an increase.
As a result of these decisions, new money expected for the NSF, and the DOE Office of Science did not materialize and the NIH once again faced a flat budget.
Researchers across the country immediately felt the impact.
- Seven hundred peer-reviewed DOE research grants were eliminated.
- The U.S. contribution to ITER was zeroed out, dealing a blow to U.S. participation in this high-visibility international collaboration on fusion power.
- The NSF predicted that 1,000 fewer basic research grants might be funded this year, and
- the NIH proposed to support 9,757 Research Project Grants - down from the FY07 level of 10,323.
To emphasize the urgent need to reverse this funding trend, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman came to Washington, D.C., in early April. Joined by other academic and business leaders, President Coleman met with Senate Democratic leaders-- including Michigan Senators Levin and Stabenow--and members of the press, to advocate for strengthening federal research programs.
The Science Coalition (TSC), a group of 50 research universities including U-M, organized the meeting. TSC members coordinate to advocate for strong federal funding for basic research. They held a similar meeting with Senate Republicans, as well.
Coleman came to drive home the message that research is critical to the well-being and security of the state of Michigan and the nation. Federal research dollars make up 72.4 percent of U-M research expenditures.
Reflecting on "what we see on the ground," President Coleman noted the outcome of research. "We have nearly doubled our lifespan; enhanced our nation's security; fueled most of our economic growth; sent Americans to the moon; and established instant worldwide communications," she said.
" We have developed entirely new approaches to drug development; enabled ubiquitous new forms of art and entertainment; and uncovered the workings of our natural world."
She emphasized to the Senators that universities today "are looked to more and more for economic development via research."
The current trend of under-funding research initiatives, however, puts the country at great risk. "Twenty years down the road that under investment in the seed corn is going to have a devastating impact. We're trying to raise the alarm."
President Coleman's trip came at the start of the appropriations process when Congress hears testimony from executive branch officials on the financial needs of their programs.
Over approximately the next three months, the Appropriations Committees will begin negotiating the bills that specify dollar amounts for individual priorities.
These deliberations might stretch as far as the beginning of 2009, with final decisions being wrapped up between Congress and a new presidential administration.
Walkling is the Director of Federal Research Relations and Assistant Director of the UM Washington, D.C. Office.
Travelling to Washington with policy or research funding concerns? Contact Sarah Walkling at the University of Michigan DC Office, 499 South Capitol Street, SW, Suite 501, 202-554-0578. Faculty and staff with questions may e-mail her at skwa@umich.edu.
April 2008
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