4 ms·

In 2023, the NSF said it gave 9,400 research awards at an average of $239,700 each [1]. That's $2.25 billion. That year, the NSF has a budget of $10.5 billion [

by jimmar 1y ago

In 2023, the NSF said it gave 9,400 research awards at an average of $239,700 each [1]. That's $2.25 billion. That year, the NSF has a budget of $10.5 billion [2]. Can somebody with more insight into the NSF explain where the NSF money goes? My PhD was largely funded through government grants, though not the NSF. To put it mildly, our government contacts were not the most competent people and were frequently roadblocks rather than enablers. There were many opportunities to streamline processes that would help researchers spend more time researching and less time on bureaucratic overhead. [1] https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/04_fy2025.pdf?VersionId=q0fBHsXL64lkqb.1yBHrQJwoo9nZMs4L https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/04_fy2025.pdf?Versio... [2] https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2023/appropriations https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2023/appropriations

searine 1y ago
> To put it mildly, our government contacts were not the most competent people and were frequently roadblocks rather than enablers. PhD students aren't usually the ones interacting with program officers or grant institutions so I'm not sure you had the most accurate view... Every grant official I've ever worked with has been a peer scientis who is professional and competent. They've always been focused on getting return on investment and keeping projects on track.
mapt 1y ago
I'm thinking that 9,400 are probably not the only meaningful research programs being funded. https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2024/appropriations https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2024/appropriations The "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024" (Public Law 118-42) provides $9.06 billion for the U.S. National Science Foundation, a decrease of $479.01 million, or 5.0%, below the FY 2023 base appropriation. It provides: * $7.18 billion for the Research and Related Activities (RRA) account. * $1.17 billion for the STEM Education (EDU) account. * $234.0 million for the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account. * $448.0 million for the Agency Operations and Award Management (AOAM) account. * $24.41 million for the Office of Inspector General (OIG) account. * $5.09 million for the Office of the National Science Board (NSB) account. If we drill down into RRD: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/65_fy2025.pdf https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/65_fy2025.pdf * Biological Sciences $844.91 * Computer & Information Science & Engineering 1,035.90 * Engineering 797.57 * Geosciences Programs 1,053.17 * Geosciences: Office of Polar Programs 538.62 * U.S. Antarctic Logistics Activities 94.20 * Mathematical & Physical Sciences 1,659.95 * Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences 309.06 * Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships 664.15 * Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy & Policy1 9.85 * Office of International Science & Engineering 68.43 * Integrative Activities 531.39 * U.S. Arctic Research Commission 1.75 * Mission Support Services 116.27 Total $7,631.02 We have shrunk the NSF down to a tiny fraction of GDP over time, considering its purview and the role science should be playing in our society, and there was briefly a consensus that we should double or triple its funding - https://www.science.org/content/article/house-panel-offers-its-plan-double-nsf-budget-and-create-technology-directorate https://www.science.org/content/article/house-panel-offers-i... before political news cycle considerations took hold.
Macha 1y ago
Voters want to know that the money is being "spent effectively". This basically means that the amount of bureaucracy and overhead can only go up. Accepting less alignment with government goals and streamlining process would probably bring overhead down. That is not the goal of the new admin, they'll probably end up achieving a worse ratio of overhead as they monitor everything to make sure it doesn't contradict their anti-DEI messaging.
- jimmar 1y ago
  I don't think transparency requires additional bureaucracy. I would also be a fan of removing requirements that the NSF align its mission with whichever political party is in power.
ericpauley 1y ago
$239,700 is annualized. Most awards are 3 years long. The total amount awarded is average annualized times average duration.

by jimmar 1y ago

searine 1y ago

> To put it mildly, our government contacts were not the most competent people and were frequently roadblocks rather than enablers. PhD students aren't usually the ones interacting with program officers or grant institutions so I'm not sure you had the most accurate view... Every grant official I've ever worked with has been a peer scientis who is professional and competent. They've always been focused on getting return on investment and keeping projects on track.

mapt 1y ago

I'm thinking that 9,400 are probably not the only meaningful research programs being funded. https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2024/appropriations https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2024/appropriations The "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024" (Public Law 118-42) provides $9.06 billion for the U.S. National Science Foundation, a decrease of $479.01 million, or 5.0%, below the FY 2023 base appropriation. It provides: * $7.18 billion for the Research and Related Activities (RRA) account. * $1.17 billion for the STEM Education (EDU) account. * $234.0 million for the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account. * $448.0 million for the Agency Operations and Award Management (AOAM) account. * $24.41 million for the Office of Inspector General (OIG) account. * $5.09 million for the Office of the National Science Board (NSB) account. If we drill down into RRD: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/65_fy2025.pdf https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/65_fy2025.pdf * Biological Sciences $844.91 * Computer & Information Science & Engineering 1,035.90 * Engineering 797.57 * Geosciences Programs 1,053.17 * Geosciences: Office of Polar Programs 538.62 * U.S. Antarctic Logistics Activities 94.20 * Mathematical & Physical Sciences 1,659.95 * Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences 309.06 * Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships 664.15 * Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy & Policy1 9.85 * Office of International Science & Engineering 68.43 * Integrative Activities 531.39 * U.S. Arctic Research Commission 1.75 * Mission Support Services 116.27 Total $7,631.02 We have shrunk the NSF down to a tiny fraction of GDP over time, considering its purview and the role science should be playing in our society, and there was briefly a consensus that we should double or triple its funding - https://www.science.org/content/article/house-panel-offers-its-plan-double-nsf-budget-and-create-technology-directorate https://www.science.org/content/article/house-panel-offers-i... before political news cycle considerations took hold.

Macha 1y ago

Voters want to know that the money is being "spent effectively". This basically means that the amount of bureaucracy and overhead can only go up. Accepting less alignment with government goals and streamlining process would probably bring overhead down. That is not the goal of the new admin, they'll probably end up achieving a worse ratio of overhead as they monitor everything to make sure it doesn't contradict their anti-DEI messaging.

jimmar 1y ago
I don't think transparency requires additional bureaucracy. I would also be a fan of removing requirements that the NSF align its mission with whichever political party is in power.

ericpauley 1y ago

$239,700 is annualized. Most awards are 3 years long. The total amount awarded is average annualized times average duration.