AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE (AFRI)

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1 AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE (AFRI) AAU SUPPORTS $450 MILLION FOR AFRI IN FY16 The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the premier competitive grants program for agricultural research in the United States. AFRI takes research and innovation beyond the development phase and into implementation through its competitively funded education and extension programs. AAU urges Congress to fund AFRI at $450 million. This level of funding would bring AFRI closer to its authorized funding level of $700 million a year. Established in the 2008 Farm Bill and authorized at $700 million, AFRI is a competitive grants program that supports basic and applied research in the agricultural sciences and provides training funds to recruit and retain the next generation of agricultural innovators. AFRI is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and funds research in the following areas: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities. A 2007 report from USDA s Economic Research Service found that agricultural research provides a return on investment to the U.S. economy of $20 or more for every dollar invested. AFRI supports the highest quality science to address some of our nation s most pressing challenges: demands for cutting-edge biofuels; the need for a safe, sustainable, and nutritious food supply; global food security; and better understanding of climate-related impacts on agriculture. AFRI is the only competitive federal research program that addresses the unique needs of rural communities, including ways to revitalize rural economies. More than 50 percent of the AFRI budget supports fundamental or basic research, providing the scientific understanding that underpins advances in agricultural and other life sciences. EXAMPLES OF ONGOING AFRI PROJECTS Using nanotechnology to prevent the microorganisms responsible for foodborne illnesses from attaching to food processing equipment and food surfaces. Developing molecular approaches to prevent, control, and eradicate avian and swine influenza in poultry and livestock as part of a strategy to mitigate the risk of a pandemic flu outbreak. Using genome sequencing capabilities to probe the genome of bacterial pathogens that cause a wide range of severe and debilitating infections in livestock across the US and throughout the world. Creating biofuels and industrial chemicals from perennial grasses that can be grown on marginal lands. Testing multi-state, extension interventions to address childhood obesity in low-income, rural populations. March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C ol u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

2 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RESEARCH AAU RECOMMENDS $2.43 BILLION FOR 6.1 BASIC RESEARCH IN FY16 AAU urges Congress to provide $2.43 billion for Department of Defense (DOD) 6.1 basic research in FY16, supporting a funding increase consistent with the 20/20 Benchmark Funding Principle. THE 20/20 BENCHMARK FUNDING PRINCIPLE AAU supports the 20/20 benchmark level for investments in Defense Science and Technology (S&T) and 6.1 basic research investments in Defense S&T should constitute 20 percent of the total Defense RDT&E budget, and investments in 6.1 basic research should comprise 20 percent of the total Defense S&T budget (6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 programs). Defense 6.1 basic research was 18.6 percent of Defense S&T in FY15, and Defense S&T was 19.1 percent of RDT&E in FY15. AAU supports achieving the 20/20 investment level over a three-year period (beginning in FY15) by increasing the share of funding by approximately.5 percent in FY16 and FY17 for 6.1 basic research and by approximately one percent in total for Defense S&T in FY16. DEFENSE RESEARCH IS CRITICAL TO OUR NATION S SECURITY DOD-funded basic research innovations have contributed significantly to our nation s economic and national security. DOD relies on technological innovation as a force multiplier, and cutting-edge advances have helped make our military the bestequipped and most effective in the world. Addressing complex military challenges such as improvised explosive devices, information warfare, and weapons of mass destruction requires innovation and new technologies. The new knowledge needed to develop such technologies depends on sustained investments in scientific and engineering basic research performed at U.S. universities. Past DOD investments in basic research have led to such innovations as lasers, radar, fiber optics, infrared technologies, stealth technology, and advanced composite materials. Moreover, past investments in DOD basic, as well as applied, research have led to technology breakthroughs important to the competitiveness of some of the nation s leading industries, including: computing, information technology, manufacturing, and defense. DOD 6.1 BASIC RESEARCH PROGRAMS TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS DOD 6.1 basic research programs help train the next generation of U.S. scientists and engineers. Research grants and contracts support not only cutting-edge research, but also graduate research assistantships. Undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships funded by the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships program help attract and retain top U.S. citizens for study in fields vital to addressing security-related challenges. AAU urges Congress to provide the following FY16 funding levels as recommended by the Pentagon: INNOVATION IS THE MILITARY IMPERATIVE AND THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY OF THIS GENERATION. IT S A FLEETING OPPORTUNITY Defense Quadrennial Review $47.1 million for the NDSEG Fellowships program, to support new and existing three-year fellowships in science and engineering disciplines of military importance; $58.4 million for the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), which supports undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and research awards to exceptionally talented researchers; and $45.5 million for NDEP s Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) program to support high performing U.S. graduate and undergraduate students in 19 academic STEM disciplines identified as areas of future workforce need by DOD. MINERVA INITIATIVE AAU supports $9 million in FY16 funding for the Minerva Initiative, a unique social science research program that deepens understanding of the social, cultural, and political forces affecting areas of the world of strategic importance to the U.S.

3 6.2 APPLIED RESEARCH AND 6.3 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ARE VITAL TO THE INNOVATION PIPELINE Defense 6.2 applied research and 6.3 advanced technology development programs build on basic research discoveries and support exploratory development of new technologies to meet specific security problems. These accounts are vital to the innovation pipeline and giving our military a technological advantage. DARPA S HIGH-RISK, HIGH-REWARD RESEARCH The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency historically has invested in high-risk, high-reward research that has led to extraordinary, game changing, technological advances such as the Internet and GPS. Current projects include combat exoskeletons, thought-controlled prosthetics, and advanced satellite technologies. AAU urges Congress to provide $2.972 billion, the same as Pentagon s FY16 budget, for DARPA. MINERVA RESEARCH INITIATIVE Begun in 2008, the Minerva Research Initiative is a university-based research program that funds research projects to improve DOD s basic understanding of the social, cultural, behavioral, and political forces that shape regions of the world of strategic importance to the U.S. Minerva brings together U.S. military higher education institutions, universities, research institutions, and individual scholars, and supports interdisciplinary and cross-institutional projects addressing specific topic areas determined by the Secretary. AAU urges continued support for Minerva. DOD RESEARCH FACTS 2014 QDR ON ENERGY RESEARCH The Department has invested in energy efficiency, new technologies, and renewable energy sources to make us a stronger and more effective fighting force. Energy improvements enhance range, endurance, and agility, particularly in the future security environment where logistics may be constrained DOD relies heavily on universities to conduct research. More than 350 universities and colleges conduct DOD-funded research. Universities receive more than 60% of DOD 6.1 basic research funding and substantial 6.2 applied research and 6.3 advanced technology funding. DOD supports academic disciplines vital to national security. DOD is the leading federal sponsor of university engineering research. DOD provides: 90% of all federal obligations for mechanical engineering; 64% for electrical engineering; 71% for aeronautical engineering; 46% for astronautical engineering; and 38% for metallurgy and materials engineering. (Source: NSF 2008) DOD basic and applied research underpins the innovative health treatments and technologies that help save lives on the battlefield and speed recovery from injuries. For injured warfighters, this includes hightechnology prosthetics and other life-enhancing technologies and therapies. DOD s NDSEG Fellowship is a highly competitive, portable fellowship that is awarded to U.S. citizens and nationals who pursue a doctoral degree in one of 15 disciplines critical to national security. NDSEG Fellowships last for three years and pay for full tuition and all mandatory fees, a monthly stipend, and up to $1,000 a year in medical insurance. DOD has awarded approximately 3,400 NDSEG fellowships since the program's inception 24 years ago. Since 2005, DOD s SMART program has supported 1,600 students. Approximately 900 students have already transitioned into the service commitment. 84% of them have completed their service years and continue to serve beyond their commitment. March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C o l u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

4 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AAU RECOMMENDS $5.34 BILLION FOR THE DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE IN FY16 This funding level would provide a 5.4 percent increase for the DOE Office of Science, keeping its budget essentially constant after accounting for inflation. The $5.34 billion funding level is vital for the Office of Science to maintain support for its core scientific research programs and scientific user-facility operations. This will help increase the available run-time of major DOE scientific facilities, allowing increased access to and use of these facilities by university researchers. AAU urges Congress to reject any proposed cut to the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, while maintaining strong support for other Office of Science programs. AAU SUPPORTS $325 MILLION FOR ARPA-E IN FY16 Modeled after DARPA, ARPA-E is working to ensure the nation s energy security. ARPA-E supports high-risk, high-reward research that private industry will not conduct. Since 2009, ARPA-E has funded more than 380 projects in 38 states. Forty percent of these awards have been made to universities, and another significant portion has supported research at university-based startups. Seventeen of these projects alone have attracted more than $450 million in private sector capital following ARPA-E s initial investment of about $70 million. Funding ARPA-E at $325 million would allow the agency to continue making awards to university-based researchers for high-risk projects that are too far from product development to be supported by industry and not likely to be funded by other parts of the DOE, but which have the potential for real breakthroughs in the future. Strong and predictable funding for the DOE Office of Science is vital to closing the innovation deficit and keeping the U.S. at the forefront of research in the physical and biological sciences, energy, computing, and other areas of science and engineering too risky for U.S. industry to support. The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is supporting high-risk, high-reward research at U.S. universities that has the potential to dramatically change how we acquire energy in the future. CONGRESS SHOULD MAKE DOE SCIENCE FUNDING A PRIORITY IN FY16 Strong and sustained funding for DOE Science that at least keeps pace with inflation is needed to maintain U.S. scientific leadership; ensure continued U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and energy security; and help close the nation s innovation deficit. Funding the DOE Office of Science at $5.34 billion will allow it to: maintain its existing core research programs, such as ARPA-E, the Energy Frontier Research Centers program, and Energy Innovation Hubs; preserve the Fusion Energy Sciences program; and reduce the impact of transitioning to forward funding of grants under $1 million, which would otherwise temporarily reduce success rates and/or the number of grants in certain DOE programs available to university researchers.

5 DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE RESEARCH HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGIES MRI machines and PET scans; new composite materials for military hardware and motor vehicles; medical and industrial isotopes; DNA sequencing technologies; more fuel efficient trucks and automobiles; electric vehicle battery technology; more efficient and safer nuclear reactor designs; 3-D models of pathogens for vaccine development; and improved scanners and detectors for biological, chemical, and radioactive materials. DOE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ADVANCING U.S. SCIENCE AND ENERGY FRONTIERS DOE is the leading source of federal funds and facilities for physical sciences research. In subfields such as high energy and nuclear physics, nuclear medicine, heavy-element chemistry, plasma physics, magnetic fusion, and catalysis, DOE is the primary government sponsor. The DOE also ranks high among federal agencies in overall support for computer science and engineering research and operates large scientific user-facilities critical to advancing the biological and environmental sciences. The Office of Science, specifically, is advancing the basic science required to produce cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels cheaply and efficiently. It is also supporting scientific research vital to future U.S. energy needs in areas such as magnetic fusion, hydrogen fuel cells, materials research, electric vehicle batteries, energy storage, and renewable energy sources. DOE RESEARCH FACTS DOE user facilities are a unique scientific resource. Located at universities and national laboratories around the country, these facilities include large particle accelerators, experimental reactors, high-precision instruments, synchrotrons/light sources, massively parallel computers, and high-resolution microscopes. Nearly half of the users are university investigators researching questions of basic science. Other users from industry, the national laboratories, and other federal agencies use the facilities to support the creation of new products. Such products include new pharmaceuticals, advanced materials for semiconductors and vehicular batteries, telecommunications satellites, and consumer goods. If not for DOE, these vital scientific facilities would not exist in the United States. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, providing approximately 47 percent of total funding and central to supporting key components of the nation s basic research efforts in biology and computing. DOE provides crucial support for university research and students. The DOE Office of Science supports a diverse portfolio of research at colleges and universities nationwide. The Office sponsors about 50 percent of all university physics research and supports more than 22,000 Ph.D. scientists, graduate students, undergraduates, engineers, and support staff at more than 300 institutions. DOEfunded research and education programs play a key role in strengthening the nation s scientific knowledge base and preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers. March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C o l u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

6 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: STUDENT AID FEDERAL STUDENT AID SHOULD REMAIN A NATIONAL PRIORITY IN FY16 AAU supports the broad array of student aid programs in the Department of Education, as most students rely on a combination of financial aid programs to fund their college education. Past investments in student aid have made it possible for generations of Americans to obtain a college education, regardless of income. AAU universities have built on the foundation of federal investments in student aid by providing increasing amounts of institutional student aid from their own resources. They collectively provided $1.35 billion to first-time, full-time freshmen in THE PELL GRANT WORKS IN TANDEM WITH OTHER STUDENT AID AAU urges Congress to maintain the discretionary base of $4,860 for the Pell Grant to support the scheduled increase in the maximum award to $5,915, which is comprised of both discretionary and mandatory funding. We encourage Congress to protect the future of Pell by ensuring that any Pell surplus remains in the program. Pell Grants currently help almost nine million students from low- and moderate-income backgrounds pursue higher education. AAU supports maintaining pre-sequester funding levels for supplemental federal student aid programs, which provide grants and work-study opportunities to low- and middle-income students. In particular, we believe the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) and the Work-Study campus-based aid programs should be increased to $757 million and at least $990 million, respectively. The programs provide a large and valuable return on investment because the federal SEOG and work-study grants are matched on a 3 to 1 basis by colleges and universities. These campus-based programs allow institutions to target extra federal assistance to students with the greatest needs. Federal student loans are also an essential form of student aid. We are concerned about the erosion of borrower benefits, particularly the loss of the in-school assistance for graduate and professional students. We are also concerned with the President s proposal to curtail Pay-As-You-Earn and Public Service Loan Forgiveness in a way that disproportionally targets graduate and professional student borrowers. Many of these borrowers are more than halfway toward completing their necessary payments and service requirements. Eliminating support for these students at such a critical juncture sets a dangerous precedent and creates uncertainty for future students at a time when the country cannot afford to lose the next generation of leaders. We want to work with Congress and the Administration on a long-term strategy for the student loan programs that will help students make informed borrowing choices and minimize their student debt, while still providing affordable options to both graduate and undergraduate students. AAU universities provide a strong return on investment for students, parents, and the federal government. The demonstrated success is evident in the numbers: 80% - The average six-year graduation rate of full-time, first-time students seeking a bachelor s degree at an AAU institution in 2005.* 50% - The number of graduates from AAU universities without any debt in % -The three-year student loan default rate of AAU universities in * 2005 is the most recent year data available ** Because they do not include transfer students, Department of Education graduation rates are artificially low.

7 GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT AAU urges Congress to maintain at least the pre-sequester FY12 funding levels of $31 million in FY16 for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program. Javits fellowships, which were dissolved into the GAANN program in 2012 and received funding through 2014, were the only competitively-awarded federal fellowship with funding available for students pursuing graduate degrees in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. In the longer-term we want to work on building direct support for graduate students in the humanities. We can t afford to lose a generation of leaders who can compete in a global marketplace. These programs help ensure a strong pipeline of talented experts and educators who will help to meet the demands of our 21 st century workforce. DOD RESEARCH FACTS March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C o l u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

8 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AAU URGES CONGRESS TO PROVIDE AT LEAST $76 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION S INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN FY15 The Department of Education s Title VI/Fulbright-Hays programs are the federal government s most comprehensive programs for developing national capacity in international and foreign language education, supporting instruction in less-commonly taught languages, particularly from regions of national strategic importance; researching issues of importance to our national security; and providing global learning experiences valuable in the workplace for American students. These programs educate the individuals whose abilities help ensure the successful international engagement of the U.S. education, government, and business sectors. As a result of steep cuts in FY11, universities have been forced to eliminate international programs, classes in lesscommonly taught languages, and other foreign language and area studies opportunities for students, such as graduate fellowships. Title VI programs play a critical role in supporting our nation's long-term national security, global leadership, and economic competitiveness. It is our goal to eventually restore overall Title VI funding to its historic levels. In particular, rebuilding the number of National Resource Centers, which historically have played a vital role in U.S. diplomacy, is critical in maintaining a high level of global engagement in the future. The nation needs a steady supply of graduates with expertise in less commonly taught languages, world areas, and trans-national trends. IMPACT OF TITLE VI PROGRAMS ON THE NATION Title VI National Resource Centers (NRC) and Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide students from around the country with world-class opportunities for intensive study of world areas and foreign languages, particularly less-commonly taught languages at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In , 1.6 million students enrolled in language studies and area studies courses offered by the 125 NRCs nationwide. In addition to supporting deep expertise in critical languages and regions, NRCs spend provide significant outreach to K-16 students and teachers, including under-represented populations. In the school year alone, the centers conducted more than 9,000 outreach activities, ranging from faculty-led workshops for teachers to educational workbooks, maps, and articles for students. This outreach plays an important role in broadening global competencies and exposing students of all ages to different cultures and views of the world. These and other Title VI programs have created an unrivalled technical training system producing linguistically proficient, area-savvy graduates who go on to successful careers in government, military, academia, and the private sector. These graduates educate thousands of students, teachers, policy makers, military and diplomatic officials, faculty, and the general public over the course of their careers, as well as engage in diplomatic missions in strategic areas of importance to the nation. AAU universities currently operate 86 National Resource Centers and 89 Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships. While it is clear that under current diminished Title VI funding levels universities are not able to accomplish as much as they would otherwise, these programs are reaching far beyond campus boundaries to produce globally competent graduates. February 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C ol u m b i a March 2014 U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n Th e U n i v e rs i t y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers i t y W a s h i n gt o n U n i v e r s it y i n S t. Lo u i s Y a le U n i ve rs it y

9 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AAU SUPPORTS SUSTAINED FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN NASA IN FY16 AAU urges Congress to appropriate $5.4 billion for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), which includes Earth Science, Planetary Science, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics. AAU recommends $651 million for Aeronautics, the same level enacted in FY15. AAU recommends $724.8 million for Space Technology and $40 million for the Space Grant Program in FY16. For almost 60 years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captivated the public s attention with accomplishments that have revolutionized our understanding of earth and space sciences, the life sciences, and aeronautics, and have led to new technologies. For the U.S. to remain the global leader in space, the nation must continue to invest in science, aeronautics, and space technology. NASA S SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS, AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS ARE VITAL TO THE NATION S RESEARCH ENTERPRISE Science: AAU urges Congress to appropriate $5.4 billion for the Science Mission Directorate in FY16. SMD supports improved weather prediction, natural hazard mitigation, and climate modeling, as well as planetary exploration, scanning the universe to look for Earth-like planets, and the study of the sun and its influence throughout the solar system. SMD supports more than 90 NASA missions and 10,000 scientists around the country. Additional funds will also help to ensure that progress on the James Webb Space Telescope remains on track for its October 2018 launch date. STEM Education: AAU supports the many STEM programs that are carried out in conjunction with NASA-funded missions, and encourages NASA to keep these programs connected to their respective missions. Research and Analysis Grants: R&A grants are essential to mission analysis and hands-on training for young researchers. AAU urges Congress to maintain its commitment to the support of R&A grants for Earth Science, Planetary Science, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics. Aeronautics: AAU urges Congress to appropriate $651 million for the Aeronautics Mission Directorate. NASA-sponsored aeronautics research is integral to the nation s research enterprise and has led to advances in the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the air transportation systems that we use on a daily basis. Space Technology: AAU urges Congress to appropriate $724.8 million for NASA s newest directorate, the Space Technology Directorate. The directorate funds partnerships among the federal government, industry, and academia to stimulate the development of innovative and transformative technologies. The role of Space Technology is becoming increasingly important to NASA and America s overall research enterprise.

10 Space Grant: AAU requests Congress to appropriate $40 million for the National Space Grant Program, an activity that has enabled 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students to receive scholarships, fellowships, and internships. This program not only continues to provide inspiration to young people, but provides them with a real opportunity to participate in space- and aeronautics-related research. International Space Station: AAU supports the Administration s plan to extend the life of the ISS to at least This extension would allow scientists, researchers, and engineers to conduct the fundamental and applied research necessary to develop spacecraft and human life support systems for deep space exploration. NASA s UNIVERSITY-BASED PROGRAMS HELP EDUCATE AMERICA S FUTURE SCIENITIFIC WORKFORCE An important component of NASA s mission is the education of young scientists and engineers. These individuals will support future NASA activities and provide the expertise the U.S. needs to maintain its technological and economic competitiveness. University-based NASA activities have a double pay-off: the development of instruments and software for missions and the education of students who will one day be part of the nation s technological and scientific workforce. DOD RESEARCH FACTS March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C o l u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

11 NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES AAU URGES CONGRESS TO PROVIDE $155 MILLION FOR THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES IN FY16 As the leading source of federal support for humanities research and related activities, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) provides critical grant funding for the activities of hundreds of educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and individual scholars nationwide. In the past three years alone, more than 3,000 faculty at higher education institutions and 7,700 high school teachers have participated in NEH-supported programs, benefitting an estimated 1.4 million students. A funding level of $155 million would allow the agency to start to re-build its capacity to support peerreviewed humanities research and education programs. Currently funded at $146 million, NEH is at its lowest funding level, in constant dollars, since FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE HUMANITIES IS CRITICAL TO OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS AND CONTINUED STATUS AS A WORLD LEADER A robust humanities education is critical to cultivating a broadly educated workforce ready to compete in the knowledge-based, global economy of the 21st century. From the basic building blocks of early education, to the highest levels of academic attainment, humanities fields provide individuals from all disciplines, including science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM), with skills, competencies, and expertise needed by the government, private, and nonprofit sectors. The Heart of the Matter report developed by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences national Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences found that while China and other countries are increasingly emphasizing humanities education as part of their innovation and economic competitiveness strategy, the United States investment in this area has shrunk. The report argues that fields such as history and languages are as essential to a competitive workforce as competency in the STEM fields. Humanities graduates are more widely distributed throughout different economic sectors than degree holders in most other fields: More than 2.5 million Americans are engaged in a broad range of professions that allow them to use their humanities education in fields including public administration, law, national security/intelligence, international trade, and health. 84 percent of students who earned a degree in the humanities are satisfied with their choice of major a year after graduation, according to the Humanities Indicators Report Card (2013).

12 A background in the humanities is highly attractive to the majority of employers who want new hires to have critical thinking skills, the ability to solve complex problems, and strong communication skills, according to It Takes More Than a Major (Association of American Colleges and Universities 2013). Our country s success in meeting economic, global, and national security challenges depends on our understanding of both technological and scientific complexities, as well as larger social and international issues. By supporting the humanities fields, we enrich our understanding of these complex issues while providing these individuals with opportunities to apply their expertise to solving our nation s grand challenges. LESS THAN A PERCENT In 2011, humanities research funded through the National Endowment for the Humanities constituted only 0.48% of all Federal research funding at colleges and universities. - American Academy of Arts and Sciences NEH COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS AAU remains concerned about the long-term erosion of funding for NEH competitive grant awards for nonprofit institutions and scholars, including grants in the following divisions: Research, Education, Preservation & Access, Challenge Grants, Public Programs, and Digital Humanities. NEH competitive grants are known for their quality and ability to leverage non-federal funding. NEH grants are at the lowest funding rate in NEH s almost 50-year history. NEH fellowship were funded at seven percent in FY14. NEH faculty awards were funded at eight percent in FY14. NEH summer stipends were funded at eight percent. As the number of quality applications has increased by 11 percent since FY08 and overall funding has decreased by seven percent, the agency s capacity goes into further decline. Within the competitive programs, AAU supports the continuation of current policy allowing graduate students to participate in select NEH programs. This provides opportunities for collaboration among students and faculty, similar to those in the sciences, and helps to sustain the pipeline of young humanities researchers and scholars. Since 2010, graduate students have been eligible to participate in college-level Summer Seminars and Institutes sponsored by NEH. March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C ol u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

13 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH AAU SUPPORTS $32 BILLION FOR NIH IN FY16 AAU urges Congress to provide $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in FY16. Putting NIH on a sustained pathway to restore its purchasing power after a decade worth of loss to inflation and budget cuts is critical to sustaining the extraordinary progress in the improvement of human health of the past decades. Biomedical research funded by NIH and performed at AAU universities and other universities helps assure U.S. leadership in the life sciences revolution of the 21st century. GREAT SCIENTIFIC OPPORTUNITY, GREAT THREAT TO LEADERSHIP Recent advances in biotechnology and genomics are advancing development of novel therapies for a host of diseases, including Alzheimer s, autism, cancer, and diabetes. Improved understanding of the fundamental, molecular causes of disease is being used to screen thousands of chemicals for potential drug candidates and to generate less toxic cancer therapies tailored to the specific genetic profile of each patient s cancer. NIH is also poised to respond rapidly to public health emergencies and in support of biodefense, as evidenced by the rapid development of a vaccine in response to the H1N1 epidemic. Researchers are on the brink of a universal influenza vaccine, which would provide long-lasting protection against any strain of influenza, removing the uncertainty and burden of making and administering seasonal flu vaccinations. Unfortunately, after a decade of erosion due to inflation and unrecovered losses due to the sequester, the U.S. is in danger of squandering opportunities and losing global leadership in the life sciences. Even as the U.S. diminishes investment in biomedical research, countries such as China, Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are increasing their financial commitment to the life sciences. We are at the brink of losing an entire generation of talented scientists unless we reverse the trend of a declining NIH budget. PURSUE SCIENTIFIC OPPORTUNITY, ADVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH, ASSURE U.S. ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS: SUPPORT NIH IN FY16 NIH funding will continue to create jobs, improve the lives and quality of life of millions of current and future patients and help assure continuing U.S. economic and national security. AAU will work with Congress to secure $32 billion for NIH in FY16. NIH FUNDED RESEARCH ADVANCES HEALTH AND MEDICINE Almost 12 million people in the United States are cancer survivors, nearly four times as many as 40 years ago. New therapies, prevention strategies, and diagnostics have contributed to a continued decline in the number of cancer deaths per year, collectively resulting in more than 800,000 lives saved over 15 years. Between 1970 and 2005, the life expectancy of the average American increased by 6.6 years. More than 70 percent of the increase 4.7 years was due to reductions in deaths from cardiovascular disease. We can attribute this remarkable improvement, in large part, to NIH-funded research. HIV/AIDS, once a death sentence diagnosis, has been transformed into a chronic, manageable disease, due to advances in anti-retroviral drugs resulting from NIH-funded research. A person testing positive for HIV today can expect to live a normal lifespan of more than 70 years. Sofosbuvir, a breakthrough a recently FDA-approved drug founded on NIH research, has been shown to cure 90 percent of hepatitis C patients after only 12 weeks of treatment, less than half the time of previous treatments. At least four million people in the U.S. are infected with hepatitis C, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

14 NIH PRIORITY THEMES NIH leadership has identified several priority themes in its FY16, budget: Unraveling Life s Mysteries through Basic Research: Basic, foundational research is a major driver of progress across the biological and behavioral sciences advances in fields such as genomics, proteomics, stem cells, the microbiome, imaging, and other technologies have transformed our understanding of how life works, have led to the discovery of more than a thousand risk factors for disease, and have yielded inestimable benefits to public health. Basic research often paves the way for unexpected scientific advances and unanticipated health applications. One key area under this theme is the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which is a multi-agency initiative involving NIH that was launched in 2013 and continues to advance our understanding of the human brain. This fundamental knowledge will provide the foundation for better diagnostics and treatments for devastating neurological disorders, ranging from Parkinson s disease and autism to Alzheimer s and epilepsy. Translating Discovery into Health: NIH is heavily invested in translating its basic scientific discoveries into fruitful health applications. Translational sciences turn observations in the laboratory and clinic into effective interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public, from diagnostics and therapeutics to medical procedures, behavioral changes, and disease prevention strategies. All of NIH s 27 Institutes and Centers are involved in this effort. One key area of focus is precision medicine, and NIH has made treating disease at an individual level a priority in its FY16 budget. Harnessing Data and Technology to Improve Health: Biomedical science continues to generate immense and complex datasets that present challenges for data creation, storage, and analysis, but also extraordinary opportunities to answer questions about biology, behavior, and medicine that previously were unanswerable. Innovative research methods stimulated by technological advances are facilitating the development of new strategies to diagnose, prevent, and treat a host of diseases. As technologies related to genomics and computational biology have rapidly expanded, scientists are generating valuable data at an unprecedented rate. The Big Data to Knowledge Program (BD2K) supports efforts to facilitate data sharing, develop and disseminate tools for data analysis, enhance training of scientists in data management fields, and establish centers of excellence focused on biomedical analytics, computational biology, and medical informatics. Preparing a Diverse and Talented Biomedical Research Workforce: Ensuring that the best scientific minds are focused on improving human health through medical innovation requires nurturing young talent and taking advantage of the diverse talent our nation has to offer. NIH is strongly committed to maintaining a diverse biomedical workforce. Attracting and retaining creative individuals in the biomedical research workforce requires a stable funding environment and opportunities for career growth. Without this, young scientists and even well-established investigators may become discouraged and pursue other career options. JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH The nation s biomedical research enterprise is not only the world s biggest and best, it also is an economic powerhouse. NIH funding helps support 300,000 scientists at research institutions in all 50 states. The agency reports that each of its research grants creates or sustains six to eight jobs. Biomedical research jobs are also highskilled and high-wage; the estimated average annual salary for an NIH-funded research job is more than $50,000. A recent report by United for Medical Research showed that in 2012 alone, NIH funding generated more than 400,000 jobs and nearly $60 billion in economic output. March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C o l u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y

15 R&D Expenditures (% of GDP) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AAU SUPPORTS $7.7 BILLION FOR THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION IN FY16 NSF is the cornerstone of America s basic scientific research enterprise. It is the only federal research agency charged with the promotion of scientific progress across all the scientific and engineering disciplines. Moreover, NSF has been a leader among the other federal agencies in its support and commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. For these reasons, AAU urges Congress to appropriate $7.7 billion for NSF in FY16, a 5.2% increase over FY15. AAU SUPPORTS ROBUST AND SUSTAINED FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NSF Modern life as we know it from search engines like Google to medical imaging depends on basic research that leads to new discoveries, innovation, and new technologies. Innovation is the key ingredient to economic growth. Economists agree that more than half of U.S. economic growth since World War II is a consequence of technological innovation, much of which results from federally funded scientific research. Such groundbreaking research supported by NSF has led to fiber optics, life-saving vaccines, the Internet, nanotechnology, and many other advances that have improved lives, generated economic growth, and created American jobs. Robust and sustained support for NSF will help to address the backlog of highly rated research proposals that have not been supported due to insufficient funding. This will, in turn, improve grant award success rates, which have declined in recent years. According to the recently published National Science Board: Science and Engineering Indicators Report (2014), other nations such as China, South Korea, and Japan have significantly increased their spending on scientific research and development, while the U.S. investment has remained stagnant. In order for our nation to remain the global innovation leader, we must recommit to investing in basic scientific research and engineering. Appropriating $7.7 billion for NSF in FY16 will help to close our nation s innovation deficit R&D Expenditures as a Share of GDP United States Asian Nations

16 Research and Related Activities (R&RA): AAU supports increased funding for NSF s Research and Related Activities Directorate, which funds merit-reviewed research in a number of fields, including: the biological sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, engineering, and social and behavioral sciences. AAU encourages Congress to make a strong commitment to fund NSF s Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate. This directorate supports long-term research across a broad range of fields of study including economics, psychology, sociology, geography, neuroscience, anthropology, political science, statistics, and linguistics. The SBE Directorate also supports a large number of interdisciplinary programs and research directed at understanding the human issues that lie at the core of many challenges this nation faces in health, national security, education, and the economy. Education and Human Resources (EHR): AAU strongly supports NSF s mission of developing a STEMcapable workforce and a STEM-literate citizenry that can successfully compete in the global marketplace. AAU encourages Congress to support vital programs such as Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE), Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF), NSF Research Traineeships (NRT), and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC): AAU supports the continued construction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). FACTS ABOUT NSF-SUPPORTED BASIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH NSF is the federal government s second largest funder of basic research, following the National Institutes of Health. Excluding the life sciences, NSF is the largest funder of basic research, supporting 25% of federally funded basic scientific research. In FY16, NSF expects to evaluate more than 51,700 proposals through a competitive merit review process and make more than 12,000 new awards. NSF funds a high percentage of the basic scientific research conducted at U.S. colleges and universities: 41% of Engineering 44% of the Physical Sciences 62% of Mathematics 65% of Social Sciences 66% of Biology 87% of Computer Science Source: NSF s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development (2011) March 2015 T he U n i ve rs it y o f Ch i c a go U n i ve rs i t y o f Co lo r a d o, Bo u l de r U n i v e r s it y of F lo r id a U n i ve rs i t y of I ll i n o is a t U r b a n a - Ch am p a i g n T he U n i ve rs it y o f Iow a Th e Un i v e rs i t y o f K a n s as U n i ve rs i t y o f M a ry l a n d, C ol le ge P a r k U n i ve rs it y o f M ic h i g a n U n i ve rs it y o f M i n ne s ot a, T w i n C it i e s U n i ve rs i t y o f M is s o u r i -C o l u m b i a U n i ve rs i t y o f W as h i n gt o n T he U n i ve r s it y o f W is c o ns i n - M a d is o n V a n de r b i lt Univers it y W as h i n gt o n U n i ve rs i t y i n St. L o u is Y al e U n i v e r s it y