One of the objectives of the GEO is to expand the knowledge of the biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes in the ocean, and at its boundaries, with the atmosphere and the earth's crust. The SBE also serves as the nation's primary data source on science and engineering human, institutional, and financial resources. The construction-funding phase for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, once contained in the MRE, was completed in FY1998. Funding is provided to individuals and small groups conducting both disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research. The science and engineering education activities of the NSF are supported by the EHR Directorate and in selected activities in other directorates.
Support is provided at the precollege, undergraduate and graduate level.
The slight decline in funding for the EHR beginning in FY1995 followed a period of rapid growth for science education activities. NSF officials determined that a period of assessment was needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs already in place. There are concerns about future options for the U.S. Antarctic Program and the South Pole Station. The committee was interested in determining, among other things, if maintaining a year round presence in Antarctic was essential to U.S. interests, and determining the feasibility of creating an external panel to explore options for sustaining polar activities within realistic funding levels. The NSF plan presents a set of key investments for each of its programmatic outcome goals.