US Administration Releases Its "Science and Technology Priorities for the FY 2012 Budget." (July 30, 2010)

US President Obama's administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orszag and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director John Holdren have released their annual (4-page) joint memo to agency heads titled "Science and Technology Priorities for the FY 2012 Budget."  The memo reiterates President Obama's  long-term goal for investment in R&D to reach 3% of GDP, and encourages agencies to pursue transformational and multidisciplinary approaches aligned with six "challenges and areas to be strengthened."

The headings for the "six challenges:

1. Promoting sustainable economic growth and job creation,

2. Defeating the most dangerous diseases and achieving better health outcomes for all while reducing health care costs,

3. Moving toward a clean energy future to reduce dependence on energy imports while curbing greenhouse gas emissions,

4. Understanding, adapting to, and mitigating the impacts of global climate change,

5. Managing the competing demands on land, fresh water, and the oceans for the production of food, fiber, biofuels, and ecosystem services based on sustainability and biodiversity,

6. Developing the technologies to protect our troops, citizens, and national interests.

The memo concludes: