[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 363 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
1st Session
H. R. 363
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 25, 2007
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize programs for support of the early career development of
science and engineering researchers, and for support of graduate
fellowships, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sowing the Seeds Through Science and
Engineering Research Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall carry out a program to award grants to scientists and engineers
at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education
and organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in
fields relevant to the mission of the Foundation. The existing Faculty
Early Career Development (CAREER) Program may be designated as the
mechanism for awarding such grants.
(b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this
section shall be 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at least
$80,000.
(c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
(1) an institution of higher education in the United
States; or
(2) an organization in the United States that is a
nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a
museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
(d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant
seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the
Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Director may require. In evaluating the proposals submitted
under this section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
(1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
(2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed
research;
(3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research
and education, including undergraduate education in science and
engineering disciplines; and
(4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the
frontiers of knowledge.
(f) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). In awarding grants
under this section, the Director shall give special consideration to
eligible early-career researchers who have followed alternative career
paths such as working part-time or in nonacademic settings, or who have
taken a significant career break or other leave of absence.
(g) Authorization of Appropriation.--For each of the fiscal years
2008 through 2012, the Director shall allocate at least 3.5 percent of
funds appropriated to the National Science Foundation for Research and
Related Activities to the grants program under this section, except to
the extent that a sufficient number of meritorious grant applications
have not been received for a fiscal year.
(h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing
the distribution of the institutions from which individuals have
participated in the Faculty Early Career Development Program since
fiscal year 2001 among each of the categories of institutions of higher
education defined by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching and the organizations in subsection (c)(2).
(i) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating
the impact of the program carried out under this section on the ability
of young faculty to compete for National Science Foundation research
grants.
SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants to
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at
institutions of higher education and organizations described in
subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission
of the Department, giving priority to grants to expand domestic energy
production and use through coal-to-liquids technology and advanced
nuclear reprocessing.
(b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this
section shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at
least $80,000.
(c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
(1) an institution of higher education in the United
States; or
(2) an organization in the United States that is a
nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a
museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
(d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant
seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the
Director of the Office of Science at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require. In evaluating
the proposals submitted under this section, the Director shall
consider, at a minimum--
(1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
(2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed
research;
(3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research
and education, including undergraduate education in science and
engineering disciplines; and
(4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the
frontiers of knowledge.
(f) Collaboration With National Laboratories.--In awarding grants
under this section, the Director shall give priority to proposals in
which the proposed work includes collaboration with the Department of
Energy National Laboratories.
(g) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Director's
responsibilities under this section $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2008 through 2012.
(i) Report on Recruiting and Retaining Early Career Science and
Engineering Researchers at the National Laboratories.--Not later than 3
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the
Office of Science shall transmit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on efforts to
recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages
of their careers at the Department of Energy National Laboratories. The
report shall include--
(1) a description of Department of Energy and National
Laboratory policies and procedures, including financial
incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent
research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of
recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists
and engineers;
(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the
careers of young scientists and engineers at Department of
Energy National Laboratories, and also on the quality of the
research at the National Laboratories and in Department of
Energy programs;
(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to
efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers,
including limited availability of full time equivalent
positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading
systems; and
(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and
retain young researchers and the source of such funds.
SEC. 4. INTEGRATIVE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP
PROGRAM.
(a) Funding.--For each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the
Director of the National Science Foundation shall allocate at least 1.5
percent of funds appropriated for Research and Related Activities to
the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program.
(b) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with Federal
departments and agencies, as appropriate, to expand the
interdisciplinary nature of the Integrative Graduate Education and
Research Traineeship program.
(c) Authority to Accept Funds From Other Agencies.--The Director is
authorized to accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies
to carry out the Integrative Graduate Education and Research
Traineeship program.
SEC. 5. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION AWARD.
(a) Establishment.--The President shall periodically present the
Presidential Innovation Award, on the basis of recommendations received
from the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or on
the basis of such other information as the President considers
appropriate, to individuals who develop one or more unique scientific
or engineering ideas in the national interest at the time the
innovation occurs.
(b) Purpose.--The awards under this section shall be made to--
(1) stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the
national interest;
(2) illustrate the linkage between science and engineering
and national needs;
(3) show the potential of such innovation to substantively
enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States
through development of commercializable intellectual property;
and
(4) provide an example to students of the contribution they
could make to society by entering the science and engineering
profession.
(c) Citizenship.--An individual is not eligible to receive the
award under this section unless at the time such award is made the
individual--
(1) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or
(2) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for
permanent residence who--
(A) has filed an application for naturalization in
the manner prescribed by section 334 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1445); and
(B) is not permanently ineligible to become a
citizen of the United States.
(d) Presentation.--The presentation of the award shall be made by
the President with such ceremonies as he may deem proper, including
attendance by appropriate Members of Congress.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE FOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) In General.--The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
establish a National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure.
Such Office shall--
(1) identify and prioritize the deficiencies in research
facilities and major instrumentation located at academic
institutions and at national laboratories that are available
for use by academic researchers; and
(2) institute and coordinate the planning by Federal
agencies for the acquisition, refurbishment, and maintenance of
research facilities and major instrumentation required to
address the deficiencies identified under paragraph (1).
In prioritizing the deficiencies identified under paragraph (1), the
Office shall consider research needs in areas relevant to the Nation's
economic competitiveness.
(b) Staffing.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy shall appoint individuals to serve in the Office established
under subsection (a) from among the principal Federal agencies that
support research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, and
shall at a minimum include individuals from the National Science
Foundation and the Department of Energy.
(c) Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy shall provide annually a report to Congress at the time of the
President's budget proposal--
(1) describing the research infrastructure needs identified
in accordance with subsection (a);
(2) listing research facilities projects and budget
proposals, by agency, for major instrumentation acquisitions
that are included in the President's budget proposal; and
(3) explaining how these facilities projects and
instrumentation acquisitions relate to the deficiencies and
priorities arrived at in accordance with subsection (a).
SEC. 7. RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS.
In carrying out its research programs on science policy and on the
science of learning, the National Science Foundation may support
research on the process of innovation and the teaching of
inventiveness.
SEC. 8. REPORT ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EARLY CAREER SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.
Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
shall transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House
of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on efforts to recruit and retain
young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at
the National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories and
joint institutes. The report shall include--
(1) a description of National Institute of Standards and
Technology policies and procedures, including financial
incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent
research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of
recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists
and engineers;
(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the
careers of young scientists and engineers at the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, and also on the quality
of the research at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology's laboratories and in the National Institute of
Standards and Technology's programs;
(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to
efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers,
including limited availability of full time equivalent
positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading
systems; and
(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and
retain young researchers and the source of such funds.
SEC. 9. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.
(a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) a balanced science program as authorized by section
101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155) contributes
significantly to innovation in and the economic competitiveness
of the United States; and
(2) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
funded at the levels authorized under sections 202 and 203 of
that Act, would offer a balance among science, aeronautics,
exploration, and human space flight programs, all of which can
attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians
across a broad range of fields in science, technology,
mathematics, and engineering.
(b) Participation in Innovation and Competitiveness Programs.--The
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall fully participate in any interagency efforts to promote
innovation and economic competitiveness through scientific research and
development within the spending levels cited in subsection (a).
SEC. 10. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.
(a) Establishment.--The National Science Foundation shall establish
a program, to be known as the Undergraduate Scholarships for Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or US-STEM, program, for
awarding scholarships to undergraduate scholars in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
(b) Eligibility.--A student is eligible for a scholarship under
this section only if the student--
(1) is enrolled at a public, 4-year college or university;
(2) will have completed at least one-half of the credit
requirements for an undergraduate degree before beginning
studies to be funded by the scholarship;
(3) has maintained a grade point average in undergraduate
studies of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, or an equivalent
level as calculated by the National Science Foundation, except
that if the student's institution appeals this criterion on the
basis of undue hardship on the student, the National Science
Foundation may waive this paragraph;
(4) has a total family income of less than $75,000 per
year, with such amount to be adjusted annually by the National
Science Foundation for inflation;
(5) has not been convicted of a felony; and
(6) is a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United
States.
(c) Selection Criteria.--Scholarship recipients shall be selected
on the basis of merit and such other criteria as the National Science
Foundation shall establish.
(d) Awards.--The National Science Foundation shall announce awards
before April 1 for each upcoming academic year, and may make up to
2,500 awards per year. Awards may be made for a maximum of 2 academic
years for each student, and scholarship amounts shall be paid to the
institution.
(e) Advisory Board.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall establish an advisory board, which shall make
recommendations to the Director for selection criteria for scholarship
recipients, and provide guidance and oversight for the program.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this
section--
(1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(3) $61,800,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(4) $63,600,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(5) $65,500,000 for fiscal year 2013.
Passed the House of Representatives April 24, 2007.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.