Obama 2011 R&D Budget Contains Bright Spots Despite Fiscal Challenges, Holdren Says at AAAS

While the Obama administration’s overall R&D budget proposal for the 2011 fiscal year is essentially flat compared to the previous year, it does contain bright spots for the nation’s science and technology enterprise, science adviser John P. Holdren said yesterday in a briefing at AAAS.

Overall, the budget proposal includes $147.7 billion for research and development, an increase of $343 million or just 0.2% above the 2010 level enacted by Congress. That is essentially the same amount Obama sought in 2010, when he proposed a total R&D budget of $147.6 billion.

However, basic science research, along with energy, health, and climate, are among sectors that would receive expanded funding in the coming budget year. At the same time, the Obama administration would step away from a controversial moon-landing program and it would cut the Department of Homeland Security R&D program by 9%, or $104 million.

While acknowledging that the plan required many tough decisions on R&D priorities, Holdren said Obama had “managed to preserve and expand” science and technology programs that the administration considers essential to promoting economic growth, protecting the environment, and setting the stage for a clean energy future.

To learn more about the proposed 2011 R&D budget, read the full story.