Main agencies hang on to funds in skimpy US science budget

摘要

US research funding looks set to take a hit this year as the government struggles to contain a swelling budget deficit while covering the rising cost of the Iraq war. On 7 February, President George W. Bush laid out his US$2.57-trillion plan for federal government spending in the 2006 fiscal year, which begins on 1 October. The proposed budget would cut "federal spending in science and technology" by 1.4% next year, to $60.8 billion. This is the best measure for expenditure on innovative research and development, as defined by the US National Academies.