ASU asks for science funds

 by Daniel Newhauser
 published on Tuesday, February 26, 2008

ASU representatives went to Washington, D.C., last week to urge congressional leaders to boost what they say is insufficient federal science funding.

National university and business leaders appealed for a $500 million emergency supplemental package to adequately fund the Department of Energy Office of Science and the National Science Foundation — two key sources of revenue for ASU research.

Although Congress granted 2008 budget increases to both organizations last December, the increases fell short of those initially predicted by Congress and President George W. Bush, said Stuart Hadley, executive director of ASU federal relations.

Hadley said the scientific community was hoping for a 10 percent increase in funding for the National Science Foundation. But the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill designated only a 2.5 percent budget increase for the NSF and 5.8 percent for the DOE.

Hadley said the supplemental package is necessary now because less revenue could lead not only to layoffs within the organizations but also weaker grants in coming years for ASU and other universities.

ASU President Michael Crow said the addendum would benefit the University.

"We have about 10,000 students and staff involved in research activities," he said. "When faculty, students and staff compete, there will be more in the pot for them to compete for."

In 2006, ASU research projects received about 70 percent of their funding — nearly $142 million — from federal sources, of which more than $39 million came from the NSF, according to the ASU Office for Research and Sponsored Projects Administration.

Dale Baker, an ASU researcher and professor, has been the recipient of several NSF grants.

Along with other researchers, she was recently awarded $1 million for a program to prepare female and minority youth to pursue careers in information technology, science, engineering and math.

"Most work could not be done without the funding," she said.

Progressive projects like this have been attracting more federal funding to ASU than ever before, said Daniel Sarewitz, director of the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes at ASU.

"ASU does represent a way of thinking about science that should be [employed] nationally," Sarewitz said.

But he added that current national issues have tightened domestic spending, not just money for science.

Despite the U.S. government's other monetary commitments, he said the resources are attainable.

"If it's a priority for them, the money would be found," he said.

Reach the reporter at: daniel.newhauser@asu.edu.