The US federal government’s primary science R&D agencies must deal with less funding for fiscal 2013 (FY13) (October 2012–September 2013) in the wake of the finalized budget. The budgets for most science R&D agencies are cut by an automatic 5.0% as part of the sequestration (see IBO 3/15/13), in addition to any reductions from FY12 levels. However, the Senate was able to secure slightly higher funding for some agencies than what was expected in early March.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) estimated that total and nondefense R&D in the FY13 budget are both down 7.1% to total $130.9 billion and $59.2 billion, respectively. The AAAS concluded that the FY13 budget for R&D is the lowest since FY02.

Within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the NIH budget for FY13 is $30,923 million. Although the Senate added an additional $67 million for the NIH, the budget totals $29,376 million because of the sequestration cuts.

Also within the DHHS, the FDA’s budget fared better than the NIH’s. According to the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, the FDA’s budget authority funding increases approximately 3%. The increase includes $50 million in supplemental appropriations that can be spent any year. The Buildings and Facilities Repair account receives $5.3 million, a 41.1% decrease, according to the organization. The organization estimated that the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the Center for Veterinary Medicine receive a combined $970 million. The amount will represent a 3.4% cut if the $39 million in supplemental appropriations that the two Centers receive is spent in FY13. Likewise, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research are designated about $643 million, or 6.8% less if their $10 million in supplemental appropriations is spent in FY13. The organization estimated that the National Center for Toxicological Research’s funding declines 8.3% to $55 million. The FDA’s White Oak headquarters lab budget increases 52.7% to $61.7 million. According to Gazette.net, the funding will go to the Life Sciences-Biodefense Laboratory complex, which is slated to open in FY14. The Senate added $12.8 million to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act, for a total of $40 million.

The NSF’s FY13 budget is $6,884 million. The Senate allocated a budget increase of $221 million for the NSF’s research account, thereby offsetting the 5% sequestration cuts. However, the amount is still 2.1% lower than FY12 levels. The less severe cut means that NSF will likely not have to reduce its number of research grants by 1,000, as the agency had earlier reported it would. An amendment permits the NSF to apply any leftover funds to other scientific research, as long as it does not replicate research that is being funded by other federal agencies.

The EPA’s FY13 budget totals $8,324 million, or $7,901 million when the mandatory 5% cut is applied. Environmental Programs are allotted $251.8 million. The budgets for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund are reduced by $17 million and $10 million, respectively. The budget of the Superfund declines by 3.3% to $1,176 million. The EPA will institute up to 13 furlough days for the remainder of FY13.

The DOE also feels the impact of sequestration quite substantially. The budgets for the Office of Science, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency are reduced. Despite the cuts, the DOE announced earlier this month that it will fund with $375 million through 2018 its three Bioenergy Research Centers, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s BioEnergy Research Center, the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and the Joint BioEnergy Institute. The final budget stipulates that no new DOE projects can be launched unless specific Congressional approval is granted.

The Senate secured an additional $13 million for the NIST for a total budget of $764.2 million, or $726.0 million with the sequestration cuts. The budget will remain available until expended. Of the total amount, $60 million is designated for construction of research facilities. For each construction project that has a multiyear cost of more than $5 million, the NIST must submit a total estimate, as well as an estimate of budget requirements for each of the next five fiscal years. Of the $60 million, $20 million is designated to establish Centers of Excellence.

Sequestration cuts at the USDA could result in about 100 fewer grants, according to the Department. However, the USDA will not have to furlough food safety inspectors.