U.S. proposes $519 million for nanotech in FY2002

from the Washington-Watch dept.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the lead agency for the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has posted a brief document ("National Nanotechnology Investment in the FY 2002 Budget Request by the President") summarizing the Bush Administrationís budget request for fiscal year 2002. It breaks out the FY 2002 funding request for nanoscale science, engineering and technology research and development in eight federal departments and agencies. The total nanotechnology-related funding in the budget request is approximately $518.9 million ($485 million reported on April 9 plus $33.9 million in associated programs), 23% over $422 million approved by Congress for FY 2001. This is significantly more than the 15% increase noted in earlier reports. The NSF summary also notes collaborative inter-agency efforts that do not fall under any single agency. As previously noted, nanotechnology-related programs are one of the few areas in the federal research and development budget that saw increased funding in the FY2002 budget request.