FRIB funding update (Jan. 29, 2013)

"On Jan. 29, the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee's (NSAC) to the Department of Energy Office of Science/National Science Foundation (DOE-SC/NSF) approved a report that examines the future of U.S. nuclear science research in constrained budget environments. The report describes the devastating impacts to nuclear science and resulting loss of U.S. leadership under flat-flat and inflationary budget scenarios.

We are grateful that the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee has selected the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams project to continue to move forward. While we realize this is just one more step toward final realization of the project, it’s an important step and we are pleased by the decision. 

FRIB will be a new cutting-edge national user facility for at core of nuclear science. It will enable scientists to make discoveries advancing our knowledge of the physics of atomic nuclei, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental properties of matter, and practical applications of rare isotopes benefiting society in fields such as medicine, materials science, national security and industry. 

In addition, it is expected to have an economic impact of up to $1 billion on the Michigan economy, create $187 million in new tax revenues, and create 5,000 construction jobs. FRIB also will employ 400 scientists, engineers and staff, as well as attract some 800 scientists from around the world to Michigan annually. 

We look forward to continue working with the NSAC, the Department of Energy Office of Science, DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics and state and federal legislators to make FRIB a reality."

— Mark Burnham, MSU vice president for government affairs