National Science Foundation Authorization Act
PL 95-434 (H.R.11400), enacted 10/10/1978

PUBLIC LAW 95-434—OCT. 10, 1978 
92 STAT. 1049 
Public Law 95-434 
95th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize the appropriation of specified dollar amounts for each of the 
Oct. 10, 1978 
National Science Foundation's major program areas 
(and certain sub- 
[H.R. 11400] 
programs), and to provide requirements relating to periods of availability and 
transfers of the authorized funds. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress osseTnbled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "National Science Foundation Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 1979-'. 
SEC. 2. (a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Science Foundation for the fiscal year 1979 for the following 
cato-gories: 
(1) Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Engineering, 
$265,700,000. 
(2) Astronomical, Atmospheric, Earth, and Ocean Sciences, 
$224,700,000. 
(3) United States Antarctic Program, $51,200,000. 
(4) Biological, Behavioral, and Social Sciences, $157,000,000. 
(5) Science Education Programs, $84,800,000. 
(6) Applied Science and Kesearch Applications, $69,700,000. 
(7) Scientific, 
Technological, 
and 
International 
Affairs, 
$23,500,000. 
(8) Program Development and Management, $53,300,000. 
(b) Ot the total amount authorized under subsection (a) (6) — 
(1) $2,000,000 is authorized for a "Handicapped Research 
Program"; 
(2) $200,000 is authorized for the design of a program in Appro-
priate Technology; and 
(3) not less than 12.5 per centum shall be expended to small 
business concerns. 
SEC. 3. Appropriations made under the authority provided in sec-
tions 2 and 5 shall remain available for obligation, for expenditure, or 
for obligation and expenditure for periods specified in the Acts making 
the appropriations. 
SEC. 4. From appropriations made under this Act, not more than 
$5,000 may be used for official consultation, representation, or other 
extraordinary expenses upon the determination of the Director of the 
National Science Foundation, and his determination shall be final and 
conclusive upon the accounting officers of the Government, 
SEC. 5. In addition to the sums authorized by section 2, not more than 
$4,500,000 is authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1979 
for expenses of the National Science Foundation incurred outside 
the United States, to be paid for in foreign currencies that the Treasury 
Department determines to be excess to the normal requirements of 
the United States. 
SEC. 6. Funds may be transferred among the categories listed in 
section 2(a), but neither the total funds transferred from any category 
nor the total funds transferred to any category may exceed 10 per 
centum of the amount authorized for that category in section 2, 
unless^-
(1) thirty legislative days have passed after the Director of the 
National Science Foundation or his designee has transmitted to 
National Science 
Foundation 
Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 
1979. 
Limitation. 
Transfer of 
funds. 
92 STAT. 1050 
PUBLIC LAW 95-434—OCT. 10, 1978 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the President of 
the Senate, to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Human 
Resources of the Senate a written report containing a full and 
complete explanation of the transfer involved and the reason 
for it, or 
(2) before the expiration of thirty legislative days both the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House and the 
Committee on Human Resources of the Senate have written to 
the Director to the effect that they have no objection to the pro-
posed transfer. 
42 use 1882. 
SEC. 7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this or any other 
Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall keep the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Human Resources of the Senate fully and 
currently informed with respect to all of the activities of the National 
Science Foundation. 
Feasibility 
SEC. 8. (a) The Director of the National Science Foundation, in 
st"<^y- 
consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
f^^*y^^ ^^^ 
Policy, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, and technical experts in public 
agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions, is author-
ized to determine the need to provide support under this Act for a 
study of the feasibility of transmitting solar energy to Earth by using 
orbital structures manufactured from lunar or asteroidal materials, 
and the impact of such a feasibility study, if any, on existing National 
Science Foundation programs. 
(b) (1) If the Foundation determines that such a feasibility study 
is necessary, the Foundation is authorized to conduct such a studj 
directly or by grants or contracts with public agencies, private organi-
zations, or academic institutions. 
(2) At the conclusion of any such study the Foundation shall pre-
pare and submit to the President and to the Congress a report of the 
study, together with such recommendations as the Foundation deems 
appropriate. 
(3) Of the funds authorized in section 2, $500,000 shall be available 
to carry out the provisions of this subsection. 
ijst 
Approved October 10, 1978. 
note. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 95-993 (Coram, on Science and Technology). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 95-851 accompanying S. 2549 and No. 95-853 (Coram. 
on jHuraan Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 124 (1978): 
Apr. 18, considered and passed House. 
June 28, considered and passed Senate, araended, in lieu of S. 2549. 
Sept. 19, House concurred in Senate amendraent with an amendraent. 
; 
Sept. 29, Senate concurred in House araendraent.