This page is a literature review of the funding of science in the U.S.
Background[edit | edit source]
Specific facts:
- Funding per year, over time
NSF, “NSF Funding History - Sides,” Budget Internet Information System. [Online]. Available: http://dellweb.bfa.nsf.gov/nsffundhist_files/frame.htm. [Accessed: 15-Aug-2013].
- Funding by agency & discipline & state (includes success rates as %)
NSF, “NSF Funding Rate by State and Organization and Discipline.” [Online]. Available: http://dellweb.bfa.nsf.gov/awdfr3/default.asp. [Accessed: 15-Aug-2013].
Hardware design funding[edit | edit source]
- History
- Methods
- NSF funds major equipment [1]
R. Phelps and K. McCloud, “National Science Foundation - Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Webcast - Program Summary and 2013 Completition Overview,” 14-Dec-2012.
Summary:
pg. 10 - outlines strategic goals. #2 - foster development of next generation instrumentation, resulting in more widespread use and open up new areas of research/research training. #3 integrate research w. education
pg. 11 - development effort is: (1)adding capabilities not available from vendors (2)requires design work and (3) a cross-functional team (4) work (5) over an extended period of time (6) may require component fabrication (7)may involve risk
pg. 15 - will not fund: general purpose lab equipment (i.e computers) or platforms (i.e vehicles), instruments used for science/engineering education, multiple instruments (unless they act as an integrated system)
Office of Integrative Activities, “Major Research Instrumentation Brochure.” National Science Foundation.
MRI Goals - catalyzing knowledge and discoveries, empowering the nations scientists & engineers, building capacity for a diverse workforce, develop next generation instrumentation, promote academic & private sector partnerships
The MRI program does not support requests for general purpose ancillary laboratory equipment or multiple instruments that serve to outfit a laboratory or research environment. The MRI program also does not support the acquisition or development of instrumentation used primarily for science and engineering education courses
Bayh-Dole[edit | edit source]
- Summary - initial law
- any updates
Critical literature of Bayh-Dole[edit | edit source]
- Joshua M. Pearce "Make nanotechnology research open-source", Nature 491, pp. 519–521(2012). and Joshua M. Pearce, Open-source nanotechnology: Solutions to a modern intellectual property tragedy,Nano Today, Available online 29 May 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2013.04.001 (open access coming soon).
- Nanotech thicket created by BD encouraging patenting of basic science - stalls innovation
How does the NSF decide on what is funded?[edit | edit source]
- How they work - http://www.nsf.gov/about/how.jsp
- Merit Review - http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/
- Interview NSF on the phone how choices are made for what to make CFP on?
Critical literature on the NSF[edit | edit source]
- http://nsfisbroken.proboards.com/index.cgi
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=dr-no-money
How does the NSF determine return on investment?[edit | edit source]
- quantifiable metrics, what are their results
Science equipment spending[edit | edit source]
- How big is the scientific equipment industry?
- How profitable is it?
- How much money do US scientists spend on equipment per year?
- What are the big volume items - e.g. stuff that everyone of one type has in their lab?
- What are the big $ total items (e.g. sure everyone has test-tubes but if every school needs an SEM...)
