KOSEN 한인과학기술자네트워크

The National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST), a laboratory of the Department of Commerce, was a major player in the Clinton Administration's strategy for civilian technology investment. However, the 104th Congress cut funding levels 18% between FY1995 and FY1997. In FY1998, this trend was temporarily reversed when the NIST budget increased 20% primarily due to additional financing for construction. FY1999 appropriations were 5% below the previous year, while FY2000 support remained constant. In FY2001, the NIST appropriation decreased 6% to $598.3 million as a result of fewer construction dollars. For FY2002, President Bush requested $487.5 million to fund NIST, almost 19% below the earlier fiscal year. While new funding for the Advanced Technology Program(ATP) would have been curtailed, the budget proposal included an 11% percent increase in support for the laboratory's internal research and development activities. H.R.2500, as originally passed by the House, provided $490 million for NIST, an 18% decrease as a result of the absence of funding for ATP. The first version of H.R.2500 passed by the Senate financed NIST at $695.5 million, 42% above the House bill and 16% more than FY2001, as funding for ATP would substantially increase. The final legislation, P.L.107-77, funds NIST at $674.5 million, 13% above the Prior fiscal year. Included in this is a 27% increase in support for the Advanced Technology Program.