If not for the generosity of the United States government, Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences Isaac F. Silvera would probably not be doing research today.

"I am close to 100 percent dependent on federal funding," says Silvera, who investigates high-pressure and low temperature situations for use in military applications. "We have very little other resources, very little from Harvard for research."

Silvera's research is funded by the Department of Energy, the United States Air Force and the National Science Foundation (NSF). But the government has lately become a less generous benefactor, Silvera says.

"My grants are down--the stable grants are down 20 percent from several years ago," he says. "But the costs of conducting research are up 30 percent or more in the past few years. Basically we've got grants decreasing and rising costs."

Because of the loss of funds--which are hard to obtain from other sources--Silvera says his research has suffered.

"You spend more time looking for funding and less doing research," he says. "You cut back on the number of graduate students you support."

Silvera says researchers in all areas of the sciences are feeling the combined effects of stagnant or shrinking grants and increased research costs.

"It's been happening to other people already," he says. "I'm not a special case at all."

Budget Cutting

Situations like Silvera's may become even more prevalent as a result of budget-cutting pressures in Congress.

Since the Republicans gained control of Congress last November, promising a balanced budget and decreasedtaxes, observers have speculated that Congresswill cut money allocated for science researchfunding.

Congressional leaders have maintained that allprograms, except for Medicare and Social Security,may face decreases in funding.

"Everything is on the table," says MelissaSabatine, a spokesperson for the House ScienceCommittee.

The Science Committee recommends to the BudgetCommittee the total level of federal spending onscience research each year.

Although Rep. Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.), thecommittee's chair, is a strong supporter of basicscience research. He also advocates cutting thebudget deficit, Sabatine says.

"We have budget realities and budgetpriorities," she says.