	Background

The Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account of the National Science Foundation (NSF) was established in FY1995 and supports the acquisition, construction, and commissioning of major research facilities and equipment that are to extend the boundaries of science and engineering. Currently, the NSF provides approximately $1.0 billion annually in support of facilities and other infrastructure projects. With the significant exception of research facilities in the Antarctic, the NSF does not directly design or operate research facilities. There are concerns from Congress and from some in the academic and scientific community about the adequacy of the planning and management of NSF facilities. There has been considerable debate concerning the selection of major research facility projects for funding. MREFC Support in the FY2013 Budget Request

The Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account receives $196.2 million in the FY2013 budget request, slightly below the FY2012 estimated level of $197.1 million. The FY2013 request proposes support for the National Ecological Observatory Network, $98.2 million (NEON); Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave- Observatory, $14.9 million (AdvLIGO); Advanced Technology Star Telescope, $42.0 million (ATST); and the Ocean Observatories Initiative, $27.5 million (OOI).
The Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account of the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports the acquisition and construction of major research facilities and equipment that are to extend the boundaries of science, engineering, and technology. The facilities include telescopes, earth simulators, astronomical observatories, and mobile research platforms. Currently, the NSF provides approximately $1.0 billion annually in support of facilities and other infrastructure projects. While the NSF does not directly design or operate research facilities, it does have final responsibility for oversight and management. Questions have been raised by many in the scientific community and in Congress concerning the adequacy of the planning and management of NSF facilities. In addition, there has been debate related to the criteria used to select projects for MREFC support.
The Administration's FY2013 budget request for the NSF is $7,373.1 million, a 4.8% increase ($340.0 million) over the FY2012 estimated level of $7,033.1 million. Included in the request total is $196.2 million for MREFC, slightly below the FY2012 estimate of $197.1 million. The FY2013 request proposes support for four projects—Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory ($14.9 million), Advanced Technology Solar Telescope ($42.0 million), Ocean Observatories Initiative ($27.5 million), and the National Ecological Observatory Network ($98.2 million).