On 14 November, Congress reached an agreement on a final conference report for the first combined appropriations bill, known as a "minibus," that provides fiscal year (FY) 2012 funding for agriculture, commerce, justice and science, transportation, housing, and urban development. The measure also included a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend all other current federal funding through 16 December. Congress is expected to continue working on the remaining nine appropriations bills for FY 2012. The final legislation provides the following levels of funding for science agencies:

National Science Foundation. The National Science Foundation was given more than $7 billion in FY 2012, a $173 million increase from FY 2011 levels. Included was a $155 million increase for research and related activities to $5.7 billion.

Food and Drug Administration. $2.5 billion or a $50 million increase over FY 2011 levels. The funding level, however, was $234 million less than the President's request.

Department of Agriculture. $2.5 billion for agriculture research programs including Agriculture Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), an overall $53 million reduction from the FY 2011 levels. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, housed within NIFA, received flat funding at $264 million for FY 2012.

National Institute of Standards and Technology. $567 million for science and research, a 12% increase over FY 2011. For updates on the budget process, go to

http://www.asm.org/index.php/policy/radfy2012.html.