Science policy

Hopkins retains first spot. New data show top recipients for black colleges (Hampton), Hispanic-serving institutions (Texas Health Sciences) and tribal colleges (United Tribes).

For first time in nearly 25 years, federal support for university research in 2006 fell, when adjusted for inflation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Security Higher Education Advisory Board shines (a little) light on its efforts.

Congressional panel considers recruitment and retention issue, while Stanford study examines impact of low female participation on undergraduate math, science and engineering majors.

The importance of science to the American university extends well beyond research or teaching. As a new collection of essays demonstrates, science is central to the economics of the modern research university, the mission of universities (as seen by those who run them and politicians), and the make-up of the academic workforce.

Congressional compromise would lift maximum grant by $125 more than $490 rise approved in budget act; NIH would receive $30 billion. Bush veto likely.

Scholars and association protest government plan to expand power of campus boards that monitor research on human subjects.

Facing unexpected budget shortfalls, federal physics labs across the country are cutting back operations and hoping for a break in the next funding cycle.

In last State of the Union, president takes two steps to limit lawmakers' pet projects for colleges and other recipients -- starting next year.

President Bush's proposed budget for basic research and development in the 2009 fiscal year seeks a record $147 billion, a 3 percent increase over 2008 that would elevate the physical sciences and engineering, in particular, while keeping funding for the National Institutes of Health flat and scaling back or cutting other domestic programs, including for financial aid.