This document has been archived. NSB-98-210 APPROVED MINUTES OPEN SESSION 350th MEETING NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD National Science Foundation Arlington, Virginia November 18-20, 1998 Members Present: Eamon M. Kelly, Chairman Diana S. Natalicio, Vice Chair John A. Armstrong Pamela A. Ferguson Mary K. Gaillard Sanford D. Greenberg* M.R.C. Greenwood Stanley V. Jaskolski Anita K. Jones* Jane Lubchenco Eve L. Menger Claudia I. Mitchell-Kernan Vera S. Rubin Robert M. Solow Bob H. Suzuki Richard Tapia Warren M. Washington John A. White, Jr. Rita R. Colwell, Director NSB Consultants Present NSB Consultants Absent George M. Langford Joseph A. Miller, Jr. Robert C. Richardson Maxine Savitz Luis Sequeira Chang-Lin Tien _______________ *Attended Thursday only Note: The Board, at its 352nd meeting, March 25, 1999, approved the Provisional Minutes of the Open Session of the 350th meeting. The National Science Board (NSB) convened in Open Session at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 19, 1998 with Dr. Eamon M. Kelly, Chairman of the NSB, presiding (Agenda NSB 98-152). In accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, this portion of the meeting was open to the public. AGENDA ITEM 7: Swearing in of NSB Members The Chairman announced eight new nominees to the Board: Dr. Pamela A. Ferguson, Grinnell College; Dr. Anita K. Jones, University of Virginia; Dr. George M. Langford, Dartmouth College, Dr. Joseph A. Miller, Jr., E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Dr. Robert C. Richardson, Cornell University; Maxine Savitz, AlliedSignal of California; Dr. Luis Sequeira, University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Dr. Chang-Lin Tien, University of California, Berkeley and welcomed those who were in attendance. Dr. Kelly then administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Jones and Dr. Ferguson, who had been confirmed by the Senate on October 21, 1998. AGENDA ITEM 8: Minutes, August 1998 Meeting The Board approved the Open Session minutes of the August 1998 NSB meeting (NSB-98-166, Board Book Tab D). AGENDA ITEM 9: Closed Session Agenda Items for March 1999 The Board approved the Closed Session items for March 1999 (NSB-98-181, Board Book Tab E), attached as Appendix A. AGENDA ITEM 10: Chairman's Report a. NSB Annual Awards Dinner The Chairman asked for discussion on the location for the NSB Annual Awards Dinner, whether at the National Press Club or the State Department dining room, previous sites for the Board annual event. In discussion, some members spoke favorably of the special privilege represented by the ability to use the State Department site. Others noted the possibility that the National Press Club event would not be as well attended in future years, since a major draw last year was the particular awardees. The primary argument for the Press Club was to attract more media to the Public Service Award ceremony, initiated last year, and size and access limitations of the State Department facility would not permit the desired public attention to the NSF's and awardees' roles in dissemination of information about science. An additional event might be warranted if the State Department is used for the awards ceremony. Dr. Kelly noted his intention, in consideration of the discussion, that the NSF Director and he, with the consent of the Board, would discuss these points and make a selection after the NSB meeting. NSB Committees The Chairman announced the establishment of two new NSB task forces: (1) the Task Force on Methodologies for Priority Setting, chaired by Dr. Kelly; and (2) the Task Force on International Issues, chaired by Dr. Natalicio. Membership will be announced at a later time. b. Guidelines for NSB Document Preparation The Chairman called on Dr. Marta Cehelsky, NSB Executive Officer, to report on the proposed "Guidelines for Staff Assisting in the Preparation of NSB Reports and Statements." Dr. Cehelsky asked members to contact her with any comments concerning the draft document they had received. Changes would then be incorporated into the Guidelines. AGENDA ITEM 11: Director's Report a. National Science Foundation Staff The Director announced changes in senior staff. She thanked Dr. Juris Harmanis, Assistant Director (AD) for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), who would complete his term on November 30 after serving as AD since September 1996. Dr. Ruzena Bajcsy, who will begin her Intergovernmental Personnel Action (IPA) assignment as AD for CISE on December 1, 1998. A professor both in the Computer and Information Science Department and in the Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Department at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Bajcsy is also director of the University's General Robotics and Active Sensory Perception Laboratory, which she founded in 1978. She received her master's and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Slovak Technical University in 1957 and 1967, respectively, and a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University in 1972. Dr. Karl A. Erb was appointed Director of the Office of Polar Programs effective November 2, after serving as Senior Science Advisor at NSF since 1992. Dr. Erb had served from 1989 to 1993 under two presidential science advisors, overseeing basic research in science and engineering at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Erb received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan in 1970. Dr. Joseph L. Dehmer joined NSF as Director, Division of Physics, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, in October 1998. Dr. Dehmer previously served as Group Leader of the Optical Sensor Group, Physics Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology since July 1996, after working with Argonne National Laboratory since 1971. Dr. Dehmer received his Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Chicago in 1971. Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega began an IPA assignment as Director, Division of Design, Manufacture and Industrial Innovation in the Engineering Directorate on October 5, 1998. Dr. Martin-Vega served as Professor and Chairman, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Lehigh University, since 1994. He also served as Senior Program Director, Division of Design and Manufacturing Systems, NSF, on a rotational basis in the early 1990's. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida in 1975. Dr. Michael Evangelist began an IPA assignment as Director, Division of Computer-Communications Research, CISE, on August 1, 1998. Dr. Evangelist served as Director, School of Computer Science, Florida International University since 1992. He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1978, focusing on mathematical theory of computation. b. Congress Dr. Colwell reported that Congress was in adjournment until January 1999. She noted, however, that several organizational meetings would take place among House and Senate members in the next two months, and that Representative Robert Livingston (R-LA) was expected to become the new Speaker of the House. Several other changes were anticipated. She briefly outlined the past year in Congress with respect to the Foundation, including the first NSF Authorization Act since 1989, which supported a 10% increase for NSF in the FY 1999 budget request, provided for an increase in FY 2000, and endorsed modernization of the South Pole Station, the participation by NSF in the Large Hadron Collider and the Next Generation Internet program, and requested several technical changes to the NSF Organic Act. Congress appropriated a record $3.67 billion for NSF and eliminated several earmarks, but did not support the request for the proposed Polar Cap Observatory. She noted also that a major piece of immigration legislation enacted by Congress included a higher ceiling on visas for foreign workers, particularly in high technology areas, and about $30 million annually for NSF to provide scholarships for disadvantaged students and additional K-12 activities to be funded by fees charged for visa petitions. Other events included passage of a bill authorizing the interagency Next Generation Internet program; confirmation of a new science advisor, new NSF Director, and two new members of the National Science Board. The President established a blue ribbon commission on women and minorities in science and engineering. The House Science Committee released the report on science policy, prepared under the leadership of Congressman Vernon Ehlers. The Senate passed the Federal Research Investment Act bill authorizing a doubling of civilian R&D over the next 10 years; and NSF has been working with the administration to ensure that concerns of the community and science agencies were address in the database protection and Space Commercialization acts. The House Basic Research Subcommittee held a hearing on the PITAC report as a precursor of the information technology initiative that NSF hoped would be included in its budget for FY 2000. Dr. Colwell then asked Mr. Joel Widder, Deputy Director, NSF Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, to comment. Mr. Widder noted a positive momentum and rhetoric for science and engineering in Congress, but cautioned that though the science community was relatively successful over the past few years in gaining Federal support, it would need to continue active and effective participation. AGENDA ITEM 12: Reports from Committees The Chairman called for committee reports. a. Audit & Oversight (A&O) Dr. Jaskolski, Chairman, A&O Committee reported that, in regular session, Dr. Judith Sunley, Assistant to the Director for Science Policy and Planning, outlined recent Government & Performance Results Act (GPRA) developments and noted that the October Congressional feedback on the NSF Performance Plan offered the opportunity for NSF to make format changes and develop additional information. The Committee discussed how the NSB could most effectively fulfill its role in the process. Specific recommendations/options will be presented at the March 1999 NSB meeting. Dr. Sunley also provided an update on the development of the Federal Research Misconduct Policy. Informal revisions based on the last rounds of comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) are currently under review. The policy will be published in the Federal Register for public comment before final enactment. The Committee heard a report from the NSF Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Acting Deputy Inspector General on NSF financial statements and audit. An internal Audit Coordination Committee (ACC) has been established, which has helped improve communications. Audit of the Antarctic Property, Plant and Equipment is underway, including a site visit next month. Finally, the Committee heard a briefing on the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) Liaison Program, an outreach program that will eventually reach all of NSF staff. The program emphasizes OIG's interest in establishing effective partnerships and open communication and problem solving. NSF staff feedback has been positive. Dr. Jaskolski reported that in the closed supervisory session the Committee discussed the IG's Semiannual Report for the period ending September 30, 1998 with the Inspector General, the NSF Deputy Director and the Director's Liaison to the Committee. It took no exception to the IG's report and agreed on the contents of the NSB Management letter that will transmit the report to the Congress on or before November 30, 1998. Dr. Jaskolski read a sentence to be included in the transmittal letter: "We commend the efforts of the Office of Inspector General to develop an outcomes-oriented strategic plan to guide its vision and operations." Further, in noting discussion of a movement to combine the NSF Office of Inspector General with IG offices in other agencies, the Committee added a short phrase that stated "We continue to support a vigorous and independent Office of the Inspector General within the National Science Foundation." Dr. Jaskolski recommended on behalf of the Committee that the letter be transmitted with the OIG's Semiannual Report. Dr. Kelly noted his willingness to sign the letter, unless there were objections. b. Education & Human Resources (EHR) Dr. Suzuki announced that a report was in preparation on the three hearings sponsored by the EHR Committee, in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Puerto Rico, which would be shared with the full Board within the next few months. He urged consideration of these hearings as a model for other Committees. He reported that the Committee had heard presentations on: the role of Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) in admissions, including a case study of innovative approaches at Rice University, by Dr. Tapia; a new research program, scheduled for initiation in 1999, in the area of child learning and development, focusing on how normal children learn and addressing cognitive, social and biological areas; a strategic plan for the EHR Committee presented by Dr. Luther Williams, based on the NSB's strategic plan, with an overall theme of excellence in U.S. science, mathematics, engineering and technology education at all levels. Four major initiatives were outlined for the Committee in the plan: reform of K-12 education, collaborations into which NSF is entering through EHR, and the role of standardized tests and their misuse, such as the SAT and the GRE in admissions; and the issue of domestic versus foreign students. Dr. Suzuki noted that the issue involving foreign students is one that NSF must tackle, despite its sensitivity, and that the Committee will be discussing it in far more detail. He further noted Dr. Williams' report on the high level of leverage for NSF investments in collaborations for the Urban Systemic Initiative. Dr. MRC Greenwood announced that the National Research Council's Office of Scientific and Engineering Personnel Advisory Committee, which she chairs, will be holding a workshop on December 17, 1998 on the role of tests in higher education. Dr. Suzuki expressed interest in the results of the workshop and noted that Dr. Mitchell-Kernan, chair of the GRE committee for the Educational Testing Service, had given the Committee excellent feedback on that activity. Dr. Greenwood suggested the NSB might pursue a role in coordinating the various efforts being initiated in this area. Task Force on Mathematics and Science Achievement (TIMSS) Dr. Suzuki recalled that the EHR Committee had issued a short statement on the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, entitled Failing Our Children: The Implications of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (NSB-98-154), but had anticipated following it up with a much longer report. He asked Dr. Mary K. Gaillard, Task Force Chair, to summarize the recommendations from that report and asked for NSB response to that summary. Dr. Gaillard directed the Board's attention to a draft table of contents and recommendations for the report provided to each of them at the meeting and explained that the purpose was to familiarize the Board with the general theme and tone of the draft. The proposed report would be focused on content standards rather than addressing all the points from the short statement issued previously. It would include an introduction, a section on student mobility, the need for stakeholders to develop a consensus on a common core of mathematics and science knowledge and skills to be conveyed in the classroom, and three points on instructional materials, teacher preparation, and college admissions to illustrate how consensus could be achieved. She requested that Board members look at these materials and raise any questions. She agreed, in response to a comment, to consider highlighting the importance of employers as stakeholders. Dr. Suzuki noted that there would be an opportunity for more extensive input from the Board when the full draft report is distributed for comment. He noted that should there be no major concerns raised by Board members after reviewing the draft, a final draft would be brought to the Board for approval at the February 1999 meeting. If there were major concerns, the report would be brought back to the Board for approval in March. He urged that members submit their comments on the full draft report as soon as possible. c. Committee on Programs & Plans Dr. Armstrong, Chair, reported that the Committee, in the interest of better evaluating major proposals and initiatives that come before the Board had asked for an advance look at major activities under consideration for future support by the Foundation. The Committee received an overview of NSF support for infrastructure projects, and was also provided with a long-range view covering a preliminary list of sixteen potential future projects presented by Mr. Joseph Kull, Director and Chief Financial Officer, Office Of Budget, Finance, and Award Management and Dr. Joseph Bordogna, NSF Acting Deputy Director. Dr. Armstrong highlighted a presentation by Dr. Bordogna of 16 potential infrastructure or major new programmatic initiatives. Mr. Kull and the NSF ADs participated in the discussions. He commended NSF managers for their presentation, and noted that CPP must now think carefully of ways in which the Committee can add value to the long-range planning process. Dr. Armstrong asked Dr. Lubchenco, Chair, Task Force on the Environment, to report. CPP Task Force on the Environment (TFE) Dr. Lubchenco noted the charge to the Task Force was to identify the role of NSF in meeting the research, education and assessment needs in the environmental arena. She noted that the Task Force had compiled a list and synthesis of two decades of reports on primarily environmental research, in recognition of the substantial amount of thinking that could be brought to bear in the environmental arena. Weaknesses were in linking the information to education and assessments. The Task Force has also developed a list of questions, provided to the Board, outlining areas of possible focus for its work. Plans were described for analysis of program histories to identify what has worked and why. In addition, the Task Force reported plans for a panel or hearings, and a Web site. She welcomed Board members to comment and thanked them in advance for that assistance. CPP Task Force on Polar Issues (PI) Dr. Armstrong, Chair, CPP, reported for Dr. Washington, Chairman, Task Force on Polar Issues. Dr. Armstrong noted staff briefings on several topics, and plans to recompete some of the support services for the South Pole, an earlier concern of the CPP. He highlighted the issue of the current inadequacy of communications capabilities with Antarctica and the expectation that those capabilities will be strongly outstripped over the next few years. Brief reports were given on a recent mishap in Antarctica involving an Air National Guard (ANG) LC- 130 and on the icebreaker being built by the Navy for the Coast Guard in which NSF has an interest, which is about a year behind schedule. Dr. Armstrong noted that the ANG is deploying another aircraft to provide continued logistics support to replace the ANG LC-130 that was damaged. NON-AGENDA ITEM: Federal Partnerships Dr. Armstrong reported that the CPP had endorsed a resolution, for consideration by the NSB, supporting NSF leadership in a Federal partnership for information technology in advanced science and engineering computation. He asked Dr. Kelly, Board Chairman, to comment. Dr. Kelly noted that NSF management had taken a firm stand and initiative to move forward in this area, and was supported by the OSTP. He expressed the opinion that it would be appropriate for the Board to consider a resolution specifically endorsing the Foundation's taking such a lead role in this effort, and he noted CPP's recommendation to this effect. After a short discussion, the Board APPROVED the following resolution (NSB 98-212). The National Science Board strongly endorses the concept of a Federal Partnership to address critical national needs and opportunities in Information Technology and in Advanced Scientific and Engineering Computation. These needs have been compellingly described in the recent interim report from the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC), and the report from the DOE/NSF Workshop on Advanced Scientific Computation. The Foundation is prepared, in full consultation with its other Federal partners, to provide leadership for these important activities. The Board directed that the resolution be distributed to OSTP and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). e. NSB 50th Anniversary Task Force Dr. Rubin, Chair, reported that the Task Force heard a report from Ms. Julia Moore, Director, Office of Legislative & Public Affairs concerning the final concept of the Board sponsored competition in partnership with PARADE magazine for a national science, engineering and technology essay contest for children 18 years old and younger. The competition will begin with a formal announcement in PARADE in September 1999 and conclude with celebratory events for the top 3-5 team winners in Washington, DC in October 2000. The committee discussed other NSB celebratory events to be held in the year 2000. They were: (1) a written history of the National Science Board for completion and distribution in 2000. (2) contacting the White House for a meeting with the President on December 12, 2000 to commemorate the first meeting of the Board held with President Truman on December 12, 1950; and (3) holding a Board event during the second week of December 2000 to commemorate the first Board meeting. The Board approved four recommendations by the Task Force on the NSB 50th Anniversary. (1) The concept for a NSB-sponsored competition in partnership with PARADE magazine for a national science, engineering and technology essay contest for children 18 years old and younger, to culminate with an event in October 2000 in Washington, DC. (2) The addition of one day to the May 2000 NSB meeting schedule to afford members the opportunity to participate in the NSF 50th anniversary celebratory events. (3) Moving the November 2000 meeting to the second week in December to celebrate the anniversary of the first NSB meeting. (4) Contacting the White House to request a meeting with the President on or about December 12, 2000 to commemorate the first meeting of the Board with President Truman on December 12, 1950. AGENDA ITEM 13: Science & Engineering Indicators-2000 Dr. Mitchell-Kernan, Chairman, EHR Subcommittee on Science and Engineering Indicators-2000, noted that planning for the year 2000 report had been informed by a user survey, which indicated support for continuity in the content of Indicators with respect to the time series and topics covered. The objective of the 2000 volume is to reflect the celebratory mood of the Year 2000 and the NSF and NSB 50th Anniversary. The Subcommittee reviewed the detailed outlines of the proposed chapters for Indicators-2000. Only the chapter on Information Technology awaits additional decisions on content. Dr. Mitchell-Kernan noted that participation by the full Board would be requested for reviewing individual chapters as they are developed and for reviewing the entire volume in the fall. The Board APPROVED a special historical theme for Indicators-2000 that would highlight and contrast the current status of the Nation's science and engineering enterprise with that during the time of the founding of the NSB and NSF. Several Board members asked Dr. Mitchell-Kernan about plans to increase the timeliness of data reporting. She reported plans to make major survey data available over the Web as quickly as possible, noting her expectation that electronic transmission and collection of data would increase timeliness. AGENDA ITEM 14: NSB Strategic Plan The Chairman reviewed the process by which the National Science Board Strategic Plan (NSB 98-215) was developed and noted it would continue to evolve. The Plan addressed five areas: 1) Federal investment in science and engineering with respect to mechanisms for priority setting in science; 2) educating the national workforce; 3) public understanding and enrichment 4) science and engineering in a global context and 5) Science and Engineering Indicators. The Plan is driven by the general theme that science will be a central factor determining the quality of life in the 21st Century. Following discussion: The Board APPROVED the National Science Board Strategic Plan (NSB-98-206), and requested Web and paper distribution of the document as soon as possible. AGENDA ITEM 15: NSB Policy Meeting and Retreat The Chairman announced that the NSB policy meeting and retreat would be held on February 17-20, 1999 at the J. Paul Getty Center, Los Angeles, California, and the Kellogg Conference Center on the campus of the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, respectively. The Board was asked to consider three possible topics as the focus of the meeting: the environment, information technology, and international programs. After a short discussion, the Board reached consensus on discussion of environmental issues as the main focus of the policy meeting. AGENDA ITEM 16: Environment for NSF Planning and Budget Activity a. Schedule for Budget Cycle The Chairman called on the NSF Director to lead the discussion on the NSF Environment for Planning. Dr. Colwell began by outlining the schedule for the budget planning, with the long-range planning activities in November, including background from the current budget year, the administration's initiatives, and the Congressional environment. She noted the need, in view of the full implementation of GPRA, to get input from the Board on critical issues for the FY 2001 planning cycle. She noted that outside speakers help to shape views of the Board in areas such as information technology, the environment, national science policy, and the impact of diversity on education. The March meeting is the primary opportunity for focusing on long range planning, after the budget has gone to Congress and broad outlines of the administration's priorities have been identified, as well as emerging opportunities for science and engineering. Too, the Board may have preliminary input from the Task Force on the Environment, as well as the report of the Task Force on Mathematics and Science Achievement. She noted that, in view of the Board's response the previous year to the presentations by the Assistant Directors, a similar presentation would be planned for next year. In May, long range and strategic planning will begin to be linked more directly to the FY 2001 budget. After the May meeting, the Director would work closely with the Executive Committee in developing the budget submission to OMB in September. At the August meeting, the Executive Committee will report on the budget it has approved on behalf of the Board for submission to OMB. Dr. Colwell highlighted two major accomplishments for the previous budget cycle: the Plant Genome Research Program and the Knowledge and Distributed Intelligence (KDI) competition. The Director called on Mr. Kull to present. Mr. Kull summarized the FY 1998 budget plan, the original FY 1999 request, and the FY 1999 plan. He noted that the Foundation had received a healthy increase in its budget of 9.3 percent in research. NSF also received100 percent of its request for salaries and expenses. After the Foundation receives an appropriation, it must construct a plan that responds to Congressional reports and language and then resubmit a summarized budget, which is called the "current plan," with a letter explaining what will be done with appropriated funds. Highlights of FY 1999 included the Immigration Reform Bill, which will transfer $27 million to NSF for three years; additional funds from the Domain Names Fund; $17 million added for the South Pole Redevelopment, leaving another $20 million to complete the project; $10 million for plant genome research; a substantial increase in funding for Arctic Logistics; additional funds for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program; and the passage of the NSF Authorization Act. The three major themes will be continued for the next budget cycle: KDI, Life and Earth's Environment (LEE), and Educating for the Future (EFF). An opportunity fund would again be established. He noted the need to respond to Congressional report language that the NSF reevaluate the way its accounts are structured to avoid confusion on cross-directorate activities. Board Discussion Responding to questions from the Board, Dr. Colwell noted that items designated as "earmarks" were really more of the nature of set-asides, and were not specifically directed toward a particular institution. Mr. Kull explained in response to a question that the breakdown of the Research and Related Activities increment between individual research grants and major projects had not yet been determined, but major shifts in the budget from the plan already reviewed by the Board and submitted to the Congress were not expected. Mr. Kull noted that, under GPRA, the difference between the appropriation and request would need to be reflected in goals and measurements of outcomes. b. Administration Initiatives The Director asked Dr. Joseph Bordogna, NSF Acting Deputy Director, to outline Administration initiatives. Dr. Bordogna provided several slides, the first showing the Administration's imperatives: 1) activities that must be undertaken by the Federal government, such as basic research; 2) activities conducted through competitive program using merit review; 3) work through appropriate partnerships, and 4) activities that improve science, mathematics, engineering and technology education. He noted that NSF's good fit with these principles has benefited it in the last few years in budget negotiations. Of the four priorities across agencies for the Administration, NSF is active in a leadership position in three: Global Change Research, High Performance Computing and Communication, and the Next Generation Internet. Board Discussion Responding to questions from the Board, Dr. Bordogna explained the term used in his presentation "critical infrastructure protection" referred to protection against terrorism. A commission formed after the World Trade Center bombing determined that R&D is important in this area. Dr. Jones commented on the importance of NSF's work in protecting fragile software systems from accident or terrorism in the future. c. Congressional Context Mr. Joel Widder, NSF Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, reported that though there were positive signs for growth for science budgets in Congress, in the form of the Federal Research Investment Act bill in the Senate that basically authorizes a doubling of civilian R&D over the next 10 years, the National Science Policy Study headed by Dr. Vernon Ehlers on the House Science Committee, and a favorable budget request from the administration, the sources of funding for increases for science were to come from tobacco legislation that was not enacted. Increases for 1999 came from the budget surplus in the absence of tobacco legislation. He observed that OMB and OSTP were not encouraging about opportunities for growth in the FY 2000 budget because the spending caps under the Balanced Budget Act provide no growth for domestic spending. He concluded that though the science community had been active in pushing for growth, increases would be difficult to argue for the next budget. Board Discussion Responding to a question concerning how NSF might increase the growth rate for its budget comparable to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he noted that NSF had come in second among science agencies in growth. He noted that the NIH budget is in a different Appropriations subcommittee, the Labor/HHS/ Education Committee. NSF competes with Veterans, Housing, EPA and NASA for funding in its Appropriations subcommittee. He expressed the opinion that the disease advocacy groups, as well as the science community, contributed to the strong support for the NIH budget. d. Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) The Director called on Dr. Sunley to present background on GPRA. Dr. Sunley noted that the purpose of GPRA is to improve management of public agencies. It requires a that strategic plan to be submitted every three years that runs for a period of five to seven years, an annual performance plan, and an annual performance report. NSF submitted its first strategic plan about a year ago, which was the 1994 NSF/NSB strategic plan approved by the Board in 1994. The NSF strategic plan submitted a year ago included five outcome goals, which are products of research and research and education activities and the agency's information base on science and engineering. A performance plan was next developed and submitted in conjunction with the FY 1999 budget request in March 1998. The performance plan included two elements: performance of NSF programs and performance of NSF management. The performance plan is divided into three pieces: 1) assessment of results from NSF awards, 2) the process by which NSF makes awards, and the plans developed in the course of setting up research and education allocations, etc.; and the 3) performance of NSF management activities. She noted that NSF has greater or lesser control over outcomes from various activities, with the greatest control possible over NSF management, and the least over results of NSF investments. Where NSF control is greatest, quantitative measures of results are possible. Where NSF exerts influence but not control, an "alternative format" for measuring outcomes has been permitted, i.e., one that allows retrospective measures. Dr. Sunley presented a narrative description of standards for assessing outcomes, ranging from successful to minimally effective with respect to a particular goal. Board Discussion Responding to a question from a Board member concerning staff acceptance of the framework for assessing performance, Dr. Colwell explained that the agency was initiating a significant information and training effort for NSF staff with respect to their role in addressing the performance plan elements. She noted that the plan was developed with input from all of the Assistant Directors and that they in turn share it within their directorates. She stated her expectation that it would drive significant changes in the way NSF operates. Responding to Board concerns that NSF distinguish in a defensible way between rating categories for outcomes, such as the difference between an outcome that is "important" versus what is "good," Dr. Sunley explained that the agency would rely on external expert judgment, building on its directorate advisory committees and modifying the Committee of Visitors process formerly used to validate the merit review processes. Noting a comment that the Committees of Visitors membership selection could be biased to produce a favorable outcome, Dr. Sunley explained that guidelines were being developed that would require broader representation than was the case in the past. However, the process is still experimental. Dr. Sunley noted that the first performance report is due in March 2000. e. The Previous Budget Cycle Dr. Colwell commented that the Executive Committee had been discussing ways of bringing the National Science Board Strategic Plan (NSB 98-215) and the National Science Board strategic plan, NSF in a Changing World (NSF-95-24), into confluence with GPRA. She asked Dr. Bordogna to review key elements identified by the Board in last year's planning cycle. Dr. Bordogna described how issues identified by the Board last November were elaborated in the planning process for last year. These included taking risks in merit review process, diversity, etc. By the May 1998 meeting, much more explicit issues had been identified for attention, including environmental research and education, international activities, large scale infrastructure, and diversity, for which task forces were appointed and the resources allocated for NSF operations that would be necessary to address these issues. Dr. Colwell identified issues that are important for the Nation today where NSF can be a leader. These include biocomplexity, which includes all the factors that come into play when you look at biological systems; information technology, which makes possible to handle large databases; and science, mathematics, engineering and technology education. She noted that NSF can change and can move very quickly, and that the Director's Opportunity Fund provides a mechanism for quick response. These larger programs require different management from investigator-initiated projects, because they require integration across a large number of programs and across agencies. She noted that NSF staff does a terrific job but requires more support and increased funding for administration and management. Board Discussion In discussing the composition of task forces and Committees of Visitors, Dr. Colwell noted efforts to reach out to the broad spectrum of the academic community to bring in kinds of reviewers who have not previously participated. Responding to a question on award size, which has been increasing at NIH but not at NSF, Dr. Colwell agreed that NSF is underfunded. She noted that the importance of fundamental research is not being communicated adequately, and the Board and community needs to take on the role of communicating to the lay public. Responding to concerns from the Board that proposals were being rejected not because of lower quality but because not all reviewers rated them "excellent," Dr. Bordogna noted the need to give latitude to program officers to choose the most promising proposals using their personal judgment and, to do that, to give them adequate time and resources to gather data and to think in order to make those choices. This would require more funding for NSF administration. Board members also noted that the highly competitive environment discouraged researchers from submitting proposals. Board members discussed the ways to get more public support for increased funding to the Foundation, through the business community, the science advocacy organizations, science media, and support by other science agencies. They noted that Foundation programs do not have the grass roots support in the general public that would press for the necessary additional funding, and that this needs to be developed through involvement of the science community. AGENDA ITEM 17: Other Business There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Jean Pomeroy Senior Policy Analyst Attachment: Appendix A: Closing Portions of March 1999 meeting Appendix A to NSB-98-210 Record of Discussion 350th Meeting National Science Board November 18-20, 1998 The Chairman presented a list of items to be considered in Closed Session at the March 1999 meeting (NSB-98-181). A proposed resolution and a certification from the General Counsel regarding closing these portions of the meeting were also distributed. The Board adopted the proposed resolution as follows: The Board DETERMINED that the following portions of the meeting of the National Science Board (NSB) scheduled for March 24-26, 1999 shall be closed to the public: 1. That portion in which minutes of the closed sessions of earlier meetings will be discussed. An open meeting on that portion would be likely to compromise information and discussions properly held confidential under the Board's resolutions authorizing the closed sessions. 2. Those portions having to do with discussions regarding nominees for appointment as National Science Board (NSB) members and National Science Foundation (NSF) staff, or with specific staffing or personnel actions. An open meeting on these subjects would be likely to constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 3. Those portions having to do with future budgets not yet submitted by the President to the Congress. 4. Those portions having to do with pending proposals and proposed awards for specific grants, contracts, or other arrangements. An open meeting on those portions would be likely to disclose personal information and constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. It would also be likely to disclose research plans and other related information that are trade secrets, and commercial or financial information obtained from a person that are privileged or confidential. An open meeting would also prematurely disclose the position of the NSF on the proposals in question before final negotiations and any determination by the Director to make the awards and so would be likely to frustrate significantly the implementation of the proposed Foundation action. Jean Pomeroy Senior Policy Analyst OS-11:98-16 OS-11:98:16