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The United Kingdom's science sector eagerly received the government's proposed science budget hike. Science funding will be augmented by roughly $2.3 bil over the next three fiscal years starting 1998. A huge slice of the budget has been pledged for the Wellcome Trust.

Congress has approved a 1997 budget which is greater than that predicted. Science and technology research and development appropriations reached $74 billion representing a 4.1% increase compared to the $71 billion for 1996.

The dwindling government funds for science and technology research has prompted National Science Foundation director Neal Lane, Dept. of Energy deputy secretary Charles B. Curtis and Pres. Clinton's science adviser John H. Gibbons to urge scientists to pressure Congress for more funds.

The disagreements between Congress and Pres. Clinton over the 1996 federal budget has forced R & D agencies such as the National Science Foundation, NASA and National Institute of Standard and Technology to operate on funds which are 20 to 25% less than the previous year.

US Pres Bill Clinton vowed to end thirty years of budget deficit in research and development, as he estimates the 1998 budget surplus to amount $70 billion. The surplus, buoyed by the country's sound economic performance during the year, would be allocated for science and education projects.