The latest U.S. spending bills indicate a concerning future for science funding.

The U.S. Congress is on the verge of approving six spending bills for 2024 that will greatly impact federal research agencies in the nation. A grim outlook is painted for the scientific community as these bills propose significant cuts or stagnant budgets for crucial research entities. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is set to endure the largest blow, facing an 8.3% reduction to $9.06 billion, NASA's science programs will see a 5.9% decrease to $7.3 billion, and funding cuts have also been imposed on research-related expenses at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) research spending remains unchanged, while the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Science receives a modest increase of 1.7%, amounting to $8.24 billion, which, however, fails to keep up with inflation.

The bills signify progress in resolving a long-standing deadlock over government spending levels for the current fiscal year, with the total spending of about $460 billion allocated to various government programs. This represents a compromise between the House of Representatives and the Senate, offering a mix of financial certainty and challenges to the agencies. The remaining six bills, expected to be finalized by March 22, will determine funding for critical research bodies like the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) faces tough decisions due to a significant reduction in its budget, posing challenges for its various research directorates. NASA's budget sees a modest increase overall, but its planetary science program suffers a significant 15% cut, reflecting concerns over the soaring costs of missions like Mars Sample Return. The bill pressures NASA to maintain a broad spectrum of missions, despite budget constraints, emphasizing the importance of ongoing projects like the Dragonfly rotocopter and the Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission.

The Department of Energy (DOE) receives a slight boost in funding, with allocations to specific programs showing both increases and decreases. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) experiences a minor rise in overall budget, with cuts affecting certain research programs. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) faces a reduction in funding but is encouraged to explore lithium resources and carbon sequestration possibilities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sees a slight decrease in overall funding, with a focus on vital research areas like artificial intelligence, quantum science, and biotechnology.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) witnesses a notable decline in its budget, impacting its science and technology initiatives, despite a lesser decrease compared to the White House's initial request. As these spending bills near approval, the scientific community braces for the challenges posed by these financial constraints, which could hamper important research endeavors and innovation in the U.S.

Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/final-u-s-spending-bills-offer-gloomy-outlook-science