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TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research
From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 09:41:46 -0400
Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 06:22:00 -0700 From: Ed Lazowska <lazowska () cs washington edu> Subject: FW: TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research To: dfarber () cs cmu edu X-MS-TNEF-Correlator:TechNet is once again standing in support of the nation's research enterprise. This sort of initiative on TechNet's part is tremendously important.-----Original Message----- From: Gretchen Beyer/Leslie Saul [mailto:gbeyer&lsaul () technet org] Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 8:20 AM To: Subject: TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research Dear TechNet Member: Congress is in the midst of its appropriations process for FY 2004. The funding outlook for basic research at the National Science Foundation is disappointing this year, due to budgetary constraintsrelated to the war in Iraq. We urge CEOs and senior executives who aremembers of TechNet to sign onto the following letter in support of strong funding for the National Science Foundation and for the TechTalent program. Please let us know by close of business on Wednesday, October 1 if you are willing to add your name, title and company name tothe following letter. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Saul Garvin at lsaul () technet org or Gretchen Beyer at gbeyer () technet org. Thanks, Gretchen Beyer and Leslie Saul Garvin ------------------------ Dear Chairman Stevens:As members of TechNet, an association of 200 technology industry CEOs and senior executives, we are writing to express our strong support fora federal commitment to basic research through the National ScienceFoundation (NSF), and in particular, for the NSF's Tech Talent Program.The pioneering research supported by NSF is the foundation of our nation's global leadership -- in economic growth, technological advancement and quality of life. We ask that you recognize this critical role in the VA-HUDAppropriations Conference Committee by allocating $5.6 billion for thebudget of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in FY 2004, or 6.2percent more than FY 2003. This is the amount contained in the House bill. In addition, we are asking that in conference you retain the $30 million earmarked in the Senate version of the bill for the Tech TalentProgram, known within the NSF as STEP.As the only federal agency dedicated to fundamental research across a range of scientific disciplines, funding the National Science Foundationshould be a top priority. NSF-supported basic research has led to advances that have fueled the growth of America's economy. We aredisappointed that the funding level for the National Science Foundationhas not kept pace with the doubling path outlined in the NSFAuthorization Act of 2002, but we recognize current funding constraints.We hope that the Congress will pursue the goal of doubling the NSFbudget at the earliest opportunity. We urge the Congress to ensure that the NSF funding does not fall below the 6.2 percent increase approved bythe House for FY 2004.NSF plays a central role in developing a skilled workforce and the next generation of technology innovators through its support for programs andbasic research at our nation's academic institutions. Primary among these is the Tech Talent (or STEP) program designed to address thealarming shortfall in the number of American students graduating from college with degrees in science, mathematics, engineering and computer science. From the late 1980s to the late 1990s, the number of earned bachelor's degrees declined by 18% in engineering and by 36% in math and computer science. This gap has already been strongly felt in the tech industries, where more and more jobs are being outsourced to countrieswhose workforces are earning far greater numbers of science and engineering degrees. The Tech Talent Program aims to reverse this trend and ensure an adequate supply of qualified domestic workers to fuel technological innovation and economic growth. Unlike fellowship grants that award individual students who have already chosen to pursue degrees inscience, math, and engineering, the Tech Talent grants address systemic constraints in the academic setting that discourage talented studentsfrom choosing these fields in the first place. Accountability and regular program evaluation are sharply emphasized -- institutionalgrantees that fail to meet specific numerical goals they designate forincreasing the number of science, math, engineering, and technology graduates may have their funding terminated or reduced. We were pleased that the Tech Talent program received $22 million in funding for FY2003. For FY 2004, we urge you to continue the overwhelming, positive momentum of the program with $30 million in funding. Only with substantial funding can enough institutionsparticipate in the program to make a significant impact on the overall national shortage of skilled workers in science, math, engineering, andcomputer science.We urge you to work with your colleagues again during the appropriationsconference process to ensure that the National Science Foundationreceives a level of funding for FY 2004 sufficient to support its vitalresearch mission, and that the Tech Talent program receives the $30 million needed to begin reversing our nation's alarming and growing dearth of scientists and engineers. Thank you for considering our views on this important issue. Best regards, TechNet CEOs
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- TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research Dave Farber (Oct 01)