Friday, March 6, 2009, 5:28am
The stimulus bill calls for the funds to be spent in two years, though in some areas it may take longer. In terms of dollars per year, it is arguably the most cash that has ever been pumped into scientific research. Even the Apollo programme and the Manhattan project - which cost over $200 billion and $35 billion at today's value - were spread over 11 and five years, respectively. It seems Obama is delivering on his promise to restore science to its rightful place. "He is committed to putting his money where his mouth is - or putting our money where his mouth is," says Lesley Stone of the lobby group Scientists and Engineers for America.