Highlights . . .
- In 1996, science and engineering (S&E) research accounted for 136
million net assignable square feet (NASF) in the nation's 565 research-performing
colleges and universities. The top 100 universities in research and development
(R&D) expenditures accounted for 72 percent of all S&E research
space in 1996, and 80 percent of all R&D dollars in 1994, the most
recent year for which data were available.
- S&E research space increased since 1988 at an annual average rate
of about 2.4 percent, from 112 million NASF to 136 million NASF in 1996.
Other National Science Foundation (NSF) surveys show that academic R&D
spending grew in constant 1995 dollars at an average annual rate of approximately
4 percent from 1988 to 1994, the most recent year for which data are available.
- At least half of research performing institutions reported inadequate
amounts of research space in the biological sciences outside of medical
schools, the physical sciences, engineering, the agricultural sciences,
and the medical sciences, both within and outside medical schools.
- In 1996, 18 percent of the S&E research space at research-performing
institutions was rated as needing major renovation or replacement. Altogether,
24.5 million NASF of S&E research space required major renovation or
replacement.
- In fiscal years 1994-1995, research-performing colleges and universities
began S&E research construction projects costing $2.8 billion, representing
a continued decline in the construction of S&E research space. Institutions
began construction projects valued at $3.0 billion (in constant 1995 dollars)
in 1992-1993, and $3.4 billion in 1990-1991.
- Expenditures for repair/renovation projects increased from $905 million
in fiscal years 1992-1993 to $1.1 billion in 1994-1995, an increase of
17 percent in constant 1995 dollars.
- The main source of construction funding was state and local governments
($1.2 billion, or 43 percent of all construction funding). Direct Federal
funding for construction declined in constant 1995 dollars from $537 million in 1990-1991 to $207 million in 1994-1995. Funds from the Federal government used to defray the indirect costs of conducting Federally-funded research are counted as
institutional funds.
- Repair/renovation projects were most likely to be funded through institutional
funds ($433 million, or 41 percent of all repair/renovation). Federal funding
of repair/renovation increased in constant 1995 dollars from $55 million
in 1990-1991 to $111 million in 1994-1995.
- The total estimated cost for deferred S&E research construction
and repair/renovation projects in 1996 was $9.3 billion, including both
projects that were identified in approved institutional plans and those
that were not. Over three-quarters of all deferred capital project expenditures
($7.4 billion) were included in institutional plans.
- In addition, colleges and universities estimated a total of $2.5 billion
in deferred repair and renovation costs for projects affecting central
campus infrastructure. It is estimated, conservatively, that $.7 billion
of this amount might be attributed to S&E research needs. Combining
this $.7 billion with the $9.3 billion in deferred construction and repair/renovation
projects yields a total of $10 billion in deferred research facilities
and infrastructure needs.
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