These and other questions and challenges outline a vigorous and meaningful agenda for research and education in the 21 st Century. This request is built upon NSF s strength a broad base of research and education activities that provides the nation with the people, the knowledge, and the infrastructure needed to fuel innovation and economic growth. This strength is derived from the agency s effective use of merit review to identify the most promising ideas and most capable researchers and educators. The NSF FY 2000 Request features priority investments in information technology research, biocomplexity, and in new approaches to education and workforce development. It employs 7.4 million people at wages that are more than 60 percent higher than the private sector average.
Recent estimates suggest that it has generated one-third of the recent growth in the U.S. economy.
The prospects for sustained growth and opportunity, however, are uncertain at best, because of low rates of investment in long-term, fundamental IT research. It found that, measured in constant dollars, support in most critical areas has been flat or declining for nearly a decade, while the importance of IT to our economy has increased dramatically. Through this investment, U.S. researchers will gain access to leading edge computational systems. These investments will allow all areas of research and education to make optimal use of emerging capabilities. The IT 2 Initiative will cultivate the promise and the potential that information technologies offer our society.