Science and Technology Priorities for the FY 2012 Budget

This memorandum follows up on OMB Memorandum M-10-19 by outlining the Administration's science and technology (S&T) priorities for formulating FY 2012 Budget submissions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

These priorities for research and development (R&D) investments and other S&T investments build on priorities already reflected in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the FY 2010 and 2011 Budgets, and key Administration policy guidance such as the President's Strategy for American Innovation. This memorandum also provides program guidance for S&T activities in Executive Departments and Agencies. Agencies should explain in their budget submissions how they will redirect available resources, as appropriate, and consistent with their mission, from lower-priority areas to S&T activities that address six challenges and strengthen six cross-cutting areas that underlie success in addressing all of these challenges. Agencies should describe expected outcomes from these S&T investments, providing quantitative metrics where possible. The President has a long-term goal that the R&D investment (both private and Federal) in the United States should reach three percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In order to understand the status of the Federal share of this goal, agencies are expected to work in close collaboration with OMB and OSTP to accurately classify and report R&D investment activities.