NSF provides support for large, multi-user
facilities which meet the need for access to state-of-the-art
research facilities that would otherwise be unavailable. Support
includes funding for staff and support personnel to assist both
internal and external scientists in conducting research at the
facilities. Support for these unique national facilities is essential
to advance U.S. research capabilities required for world-class
research. NSF supports the following facilities:
1Other
facilities include physics, materials research, ocean sciences,
atmospheric sciences, and earth sciences facilities, CESR, Gemini Observatories, and the
National Nanofabrication Users Network.
The FY 1998 Request for Facilities totals
$684 million, a $22 million increase over FY 1997.
2An
additional $30.023 in FY 1996 appropriatied funds for ARI was
carried over and will be obligated in FY 1997.
The FY 1998 total of $48 million in
NSFNET includes $10 million for the Interagency Next Generation
Internet initiative, which will focus on advanced, high performance
network connectivity between research institutions. The current
NSF Supercomputer Centers program will end at the close of FY
1997, and will be replaced by the new Partnerships in Advanced
Computational Infrastructure (PACI) program. A smooth transition
to the new Partnerships program will ensure continuity in ongoing
research efforts. The PACI program focuses on taking advantage
of newly emerging opportunities in high performance computing
and communications, as well as involvement in information intensive
activities and enabling technologies.
NSF plans to fund the Major Research
Equipment (MRE) Account at $85 million in FY 1998, which includes
$25 million for South Pole Station, $26 million to complete construction
funding for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory
(LIGO), $9 million for the first phase of the Millimeter Array
(MMA) and $25 million to fully fund construction of the Polar
Cap Observatory (PCO). In addition, LIGO will receive support
from within the Research and Related Activities Account for operations,
for total funding of approximately $33 million.
Support for facilities associated with
the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) includes a scheduled mid-life
refit of the ODP drillship JOIDES Resolution. This refit,
which totals $6.0 million over two years, is necessary to extend
the life of the ship. Of the $3.0 million requested in FY 1998,
$1.50 million will be realized in the form of savings resulting
from the reduced need for research support during the refit period.
Among other facilities supported, NSF
provides funding for the second year of a five year upgrade of
the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan
State University, the completion of the five year luminosity upgrade
of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR) at Cornell University,
and continued support for Gemini Observatories operations.
The Academic Research Infrastructure
program is terminated in FY 1997, and no further funding for this
activity is requested.
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