Introduction

2. Introduction

The High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program was formally authorized by passage, with bipartisan support, of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-194), signed on December 9, 1991. The original Program, in which eight Federal agencies participated, has now grown to twelve. This Plan provides a detailed description of the agencies' FY 1996 HPCC accomplishments and FY 1997 HPCC plans.

HPCC activities are coordinated by the Computing, Information, and Communications R&D (CIC) Subcommittee of the Committee on Computing, Information and Communications R&D (CCIC), one of the nine committees of the National Science and Technology Council. This CIC R&D Subcommittee is the new name for the High Performance Computing, Communication, and Information Technology (HPCCIT) Subcommittee.

In FY 1991, before the formal start of the Program, the HPCC-related activities by the original eight agencies totaled approximately $489 million-the Program's original base level. The Program goals justified annual funding levels that were expected to grow to approximately $1,500 million over five years. Although the funding has not grown to this level, the Program has remained a healthy and vital mechanism for R&D in the enabling technologies required for computing, information, and communications.

The overall funding profile for the HPCC Program, is as follows:

Fiscal Year
(Number of Agencies) Participating Agencies
(Dollars in millions) Change from Previous Year Original Eight Agencies
(Dollars in millions) Change from Previous Year for Original Eight

FY 1992 Actual
(Eight Agencies) $655 +33.9% $655 +33.9%

FY 1993 Actual
(Ten Agencies) $795 +21.4% $783 +19.5%

FY 1994 Actual
(Ten Agencies, IITA added) $938 +18.0% $925 +18.1%

FY 1995 Actual
(12 Agencies) $1,129 +20.4% $1,019 +10.2%

FY 1996 Actual
(12 Agencies) $1,043 -7.6% $949 -6.9%

FY 1997 President's Request
(12 Agencies)⁴ $1,040 -0.1% $966 +1.8%


Fiscal Year (Number of Agencies)	Participating Agencies (Dollars in millions)	Change from Previous Year	Original Eight Agencies (Dollars in millions)	Change from Previous Year for Original Eight
FY 1992 Actual (Eight Agencies)	$655	+33.9%	$655	+33.9%
FY 1993 Actual (Ten Agencies)	$795	+21.4%	$783	+19.5%
FY 1994 Actual (Ten Agencies, IITA added)	$938	+18.0%	$925	+18.1%
FY 1995 Actual (12 Agencies)	$1,129	+20.4%	$1,019	+10.2%
FY 1996 Actual (12 Agencies)	$1,043	-7.6%	$949	-6.9%
FY 1997 President's Request (12 Agencies)⁴	$1,040	-0.1%	$966	+1.8%

Section 3 of this Plan provides an overview of the HPCC Program. Section 4 contains more detailed definitions of the Program Component Areas, with an emphasis on the overall directions and milestones planned for each PCA. Appendix A provides a detailed look at HPCC Program activities within each agency.

⁴	The published FY 1997 President's HPCC Budget also included funding for the Department of Transportation, which is not yet part of the HPCC Program.