Delivered-To: dfarber+@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 06:22:00 -0700
From: Ed Lazowska <lazowska@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: FW: TechNet CEO Signature Request: Funding for Basic Research
To: dfarber@xxxxxxxxxx
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@xxxxxxxxxxx]
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 constraints
related to the war in Iraq. We urge CEOs and senior executives
who are
members of TechNet to sign onto the following letter in support of
strong funding for the National Science Foundation and for the Tech
Talent 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 to
the following letter.
If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Saul Garvin at
lsaul@xxxxxxxxxxx or Gretchen Beyer at gbeyer@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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 for
a federal commitment to basic research through the National Science
Foundation (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-HUD
Appropriations Conference Committee by allocating $5.6 billion
for the
budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in FY 2004, or 6.2
percent 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
Talent
Program, 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
Foundation
should be a top priority. NSF-supported basic research has led to
advances that have fueled the growth of America's economy. We are
disappointed that the funding level for the National Science
Foundation
has not kept pace with the doubling path outlined in the NSF
Authorization Act of 2002, but we recognize current funding
constraints.
We hope that the Congress will pursue the goal of doubling the NSF
budget at the earliest opportunity. We urge the Congress to
ensure that
the NSF funding does not fall below the 6.2 percent increase
approved by
the 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 and
basic research at our nation's academic institutions. Primary among
these is the Tech Talent (or STEP) program designed to address the
alarming 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
countries
whose 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 in
science, math, and engineering, the Tech Talent grants address
systemic
constraints in the academic setting that discourage talented
students
from choosing these fields in the first place. Accountability and
regular program evaluation are sharply emphasized -- institutional
grantees that fail to meet specific numerical goals they
designate for
increasing 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 institutions
participate in the program to make a significant impact on the
overall
national shortage of skilled workers in science, math,
engineering, and
computer science.
We urge you to work with your colleagues again during the
appropriations
conference process to ensure that the National Science Foundation
receives a level of funding for FY 2004 sufficient to support its
vital
research 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