NSF cuts basic science program budgets by 20-30% to fund new $1.5B tech commercialization initiative
By
Jeffrey Mervis
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is cutting budgets for hundreds of its traditional basic science programs by 20-30% this year, despite its overall budget only decreasing by 3%. The agency has not publicly explained these cuts, but internal and external sources suspect the funds are being redirected to a new $1.5 billion initiative launched last month aimed at commercializing NSF-funded discoveries into new products and industries. The shift has resulted in a sharp drop in grants for the current fiscal year.
Source
Hacker NewsNSF cuts basic science program budgets by 20-30% to fund new $1.5B tech commercialization initiativescience.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledNSF is trimming this year's budgets for hundreds of its traditional basic science programs by roughly 20% to 30% even though its overall budget is down just 3%
Sources within and outside the agency, who did not want to be named, say they suspect the goal is to free up funds for a new $1.5 billion initiative
The initiative, launched last month, is meant to turn NSF-funded discoveries into new products and industries
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