* 1999-00 through 2001-02 reflect enacted appropriations.
* 2002-03 and 2003-04 reflect Executive recommended appropriations.

The New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) administers programs previously administered by the Science and Technology Foundation and is responsible for identifying, promoting, and investing in enterprises with the potential to create and retain high-technology jobs. NYSTAR is responsible for the Capital Facility Program, the Faculty Development Program, the Centers for Advanced Technology Development Program and the Technology Transfer Incentive Program. In addition, NYSTAR will direct the State's university based high-technology economic development programs previously performed by the Science and Technology Foundation.

The Office is included in the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation appropriation bill.

State Operations

The Executive provides All Funds appropriations of $3,325,000, a net reduction of $397,000 from State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2002-03 levels. This reflects the elimination of one full time equivalent (fte) position through attrition. In addition, the Executive has lowered workforce estimates for the Agency for SFY 2002-03 by eliminating three funded administrative vacancies within the Administration Program.

Aid to Localities

The Executive recommends General Fund appropriations totaling $58,020,000, a decrease of $3,563,000 from SFY 2002-03 levels. This decrease reflects the elimination of projects in the Community Projects Fund totaling $3,663,000 and a $100,000 increase for the High Technology Program.

The Executive recommends providing a new $500,000 General Fund appropriation for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for the establishment of a Center for Advanced Interconnect Systems Technologies (CAIST).

The Executive recommends support for the following Programs at SFY 2002-03 levels:

• Centers for Advanced Technologies, $15,000,000;
• College Centers for Applied Research and Technology Program, $1,500,000;
• Syracuse University Sensing, Analyzing, Interpreting and deciding (SAID) Center, $320,000;
• Technology Development Organizations (TDOs), $1,500,000;
• Industrial Technology Extension Service, $1,000,000;
• Cornell University/NSF Nano-biotechnology Center, $300,000;
• Cornell University/NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center; $400,000;
• Cornell University/NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, $500,000;
• Columbia University/NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, $500,000; and
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute/NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, $500,000.

Finally, the Executive Proposal would fund the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program at $6,500,000, unchanged from SFY 2002-03 levels.