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AAAS Resolution:
Federal Funding of Research and Development
At its June 22-23, 1995 meeting, the Board of Directors of the American Association for the Advancement of Science discussed the current policy environment for federal support of research and education. The Board recognizes the seriousness of the federal budget situation and supports efforts to reduce the deficit and balance the budget. The Board is gratified to see that, despite the severe constraints imposed by deficit reduction efforts, federal funding for basic research continues to enjoy strong bipartisan support in Congress and the Administration. It is particularly pleased by the acknowledgment by congressional leaders of the key role played by science and technology in improving the nation's economy and quality of life. Nevertheless, the Board expressed concern over the future implications of budgetary trends contained in current legislation. AAAS analyses suggest, for example, that under the version of the Budget Resolution passed by the House, expenditures for nondefense R&D I real (inflation-adjusted) dollars would drop more than 34 percent from fiscal year 1995 to 2002. Even the relatively protected National Science Foundation budget for R&D would lose more than 20 percent during this period. The Board urges Congress to exercise great caution in considering changes of this magnitude and consequences for the nation's vital research enterprise. It further encourages the research community to make known its concerns, and to do so with an appreciation of the fundamental unity of the research and education enterprise and an understanding of the importance of congressional concerns about the federal budget. [Statement adopted by the AAAS Board, June 23, 1995.]
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