PROPOSED CHANGES TO 1997 ESTIMATES This Budget contains proposals to reduce 1997 spending by $5.2 billion. These proposed reductions include $4.8 billion in reduced limitations and other savings detailed in the supSUMMARY OF SUPPLEMENTAL AND RESCISSION PROPOSALS (In millions of dollars) plemental chapter and $0.4 billion in proposed rescissions detailed in the Rescission Proposals chapter of the Budget. 208 71 -82 156 30 -59 59 SALARIES AND EXPENSES For necessary salaries and expenses of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875); services au97 thorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $9,000 for official reception and representation expenses; uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 59015902; rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia; reimbursement of the General Services Administration for security guard services and headquarters relocation; [$134,310,000:] $136,950,000: Provided, That contracts may be entered into under salaries and expenses in fiscal year [1997] 1998 for maintenance and operation of facilities, and for other services, to be provided during the next fiscal year. (Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997.) Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) 59 100 83 82 59 The Academic Research Infrastructure facilities activity was terminated in FY 97. A program to support the acquisition of major research instrumentation is funded through the Research and Related Activities appropriation beginning in FY 1997. Computer and information sciences and engineering.-Research is directed at "information processing" in the broadest sense of the term, ranging from fundamental theory to systems engineering. Engineering.-Research supported by this activity aims to increase U.S. engineering capability and strength, and focus that capability and strength on areas which are relevant to national problems and long-term needs. This activity also includes small business innovation research. Geosciences.-This research advances knowledge of the properties and dynamics of the planet Earth. Mathematical and physical sciences.-Research in this activity is directed at increasing understanding of natural laws and phenomena. It includes research in mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and materials science. Social, behavioral and economic sciences.-This activity supports research in social, behavioral and economic sciences, facilitates international scientific cooperation, and funds science resources studies. U.S. Polar Research Programs.-This activity supports Arctic and Antarctic research and operational science support and other related activities for the United States Polar Research Programs. This activity includes funding for the expenses of the Arctic Research Commission. U.S. Antarctic Logistical Support Activities.-This activity provides necessary expenses for reimbursing Federal agencies for logistical and other related activities for the United States Antarctic Logistical Support Activities. Critical Technologies Institute. This activity supports a federally-funded research and development center that provides analytical support to the Executive Branch. Object Classification (in millions of dollars) The Research and Related Activities appropriation addresses Foundation goals to enable the United States to uphold world leadership in all aspects of science and engineering, and to promote the discovery, integration, dissemination and employment of new knowledge in service to society. Research activities will contribute to the achievement of these goals through expansion of the knowledge base; integration of research and education; stimulation of knowledge transfer among academia and the public and private sectors; and bringing the perspectives of many disciplines to bear on complex problems important to the nation. This appropriation supports NSF's active development of performance indicators that tie to the key program functions of Research Project Support, Research Facilities, and Education and Training. The major research program activities of the Foundation are: Biological sciences.-This activity promotes scientific progress in biology through support of research ranging from the study of molecules, through cells and organisms, to studies of ecosystems. 1001 Total compensable workyears: Full-time equivalent employment 3 3 Pending, end of year Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests received Investigation cases closed Emergency disputes.-When the parties fail to resolve their disputes through mediation, they are urged to submit their differences to arbitration. If neither mediation nor voluntary arbitration is successful, the President, when notified of disputes which threaten to seriously interrupt service, may appoint emergency boards to investigate and report on the disputes under section 160 of the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Such reports usually serve as a basis for resolving the disputes. The Northeast Rail Service Act of 1981 amended the Railway Labor Act by adding a new emergency dispute procedure covering disputes between a publicly funded and operated commuter carrier and its employees. The 1981 Act requires the Board to appoint the public members of factfinding panels on Conrail. Arbitration under sections 3 and 7 of the RLA.-Railroad employee grievances resulting from disputes over the interpretation or application of collective bargaining contracts may be brought for settlement to the National Railroad Adjustment Board (NRAB). The divisions of the Board are composed of an equal number of carrier and union representatives compensated by the party or parties they represent. Public Law 89-456 provides for the adjustment of disputes involving grievances resulting from interpretation or application of bargaining agreements in the railroad industry otherwise referable to the NRAB. Administrative direction and support for the public law boards, special boards of adjustment, and the NRAB are provided by Federal employees who are compensated by the National Mediation Board. Public law boards caseload: Identification code 95-2400-0-1-505 RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES dation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), and the Act For necessary expenses in carrying out the National Science Founto establish a National Medal of Science (42 U.S.C. 1880-1881); services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; maintenance and operation of aircraft and purchase of flight services for research support; acquisition of aircraft; [$2,432,000,000] $2,514,700,000, of which not to exceed [$226,000,000] $228,530,000 shall remain available until expended for Polar [researchand] research and operations support, and for reimbursement to other Federal agencies for operational and science support and logistical and other related activities for the United States Antarctic program; the balance to remain available until September 30, [1998] 1999: Provided, That receipts for scientific support services and materials furnished by the National Research Centers and other National Science Foundation supported research facilities may be credited to this appropriation: Provided further, That to the extent that the amount appropriated is less than the total amount authorized to be appropriated for included program activities, all amounts, including floors and ceilings, specified in the authorizing Act for those program activities or their subactivities shall be reduced proportionally. only (polar operations support), $62,600,000, to become available on Further, for the foregoing purposes related to the national defense October 1, 1998, and remain available until expended. (Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997.) Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Biological sciences 2,000 00.02 4,908 00.05 Special boards of adjustment caseload: 00.06 |