Increasing Costs, Competition May Hinder U.S. Position of Leadership in High Energy Physics

The United States has led the world in high energy physics research; other countries are now challenging that lead. The Federal Government provides nearly all of the funding of the U.S. high energy physics efforts. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has oversight responsibility over all federally funded basic science and works with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in developing the basic science budgets. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the principal Federal agency for the support of basic research across all fields of science and science education. The Department of Energy (DOE) has the primary responsibility for implementing a sound national high energy physics program.

Whether the funding of high energy physics research is appropriately balanced with support of research in other basic science fields is not clear. DOE funding is based on an agreement with OMB to annually fund high energy physics at a constant level, which is the minimum amount the physics community believes is needed to maintain a viable program with adequate diversity. The funding has not been based on a comprehensive plan for maintaining a leadership position. GAO believes the program has been faced with trying to do more than available funds would allow. DOE has not formally prepared a comprehensive plan which is consistent with the agreed upon funding level. The program has been emphasizing the development and construction of accelerators. Other key program elements have been inadequately funded. This may have detrimental effects on long-term accelerator technology and the participation of the brightest and most talented U.S. scientists. GAO believes that the objective of maintaining a world leadership position, the plan for achieving this objective, and the level of funding need to be examined in the light of the program's needs and importance relative to other basic sciences. A given policy and strategy should not be pursued unless the amount of funds needed are made available. Congress could provide valuable input into the final determination of what the overall objectives of the program should be, as well as the appropriate strategies and necessary funding levels.

Recommendations

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