Abstract
WHEN PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ROLLED out his fiscal 2007 budget on Feb. 6, a smile came across the face of National Science Foundation Director Arden L. Bernent Jr. that hasn't left since. The reason: The proposed budget reverses a trend of poor funding growth for the foundation for the past five years and slates it for a nearly 8% increase over the 2006 appropriated level. Bernent, 73, who considers himself an eternal optimist, is clearly excited about what this funding increase will allow NSF to do, but he remains realistic in acknowledging that the physical sciences continue to face some difficult challenges. He recently sat down for an interview with C&EN to share his enthusiasm for the future of NSF as well as his insights into other science policy issues. A lifetime of involvement in research and leadership in academia, industry, and government has given me a broad perspective ...
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