[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[S. 2817 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 734
107th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2817
[Report No. 107-291]
[Report No. 107-317]
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
and 2007 for the National Science Foundation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 29, 2002
Mr. Kennedy (for himself, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Bond, and Ms. Mikulski)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
September 18, 2002
Reported by Mr. Kennedy, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
September 18, 2002
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, for
a period not to exceed 30 days of session pursuant to the order of
March 3, 1988
October 16, 2002
Reported by Mr. Hollings, with an amendment
[Insert the part in boldface italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
and 2007 for the National Science Foundation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``National Science Foundation
Doubling Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National
Science Board established under section 2 of the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
Director of the National Science Foundation established under
section 2 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42
U.S.C. 1861).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Eligible applicant.--The term ``eligible
applicant'' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) an institution of higher
education;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) consortia of institutions of higher
education;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C)(i) an institution of higher education
or consortia of such institutions; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) a nonprofit organization with
demonstrated experience in delivering science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology education;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D)(i) an institution of higher education
or consortia of such institutions;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) a nonprofit organization with
demonstrated experience in delivering science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology education;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) State governments, local
governments, or private companies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the
National Science Foundation established under section 2 of the
National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C.
1861).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) National research facility.--The term
``national research facility'' means a research facility funded
by the Foundation which is available, subject to appropriate
policies allocating access, for use by all scientists and
engineers affiliated with research institutions located in the
United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Congress finds the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The National Science Foundation has made major
contributions during the past 50 years to strengthen and
sustain the Nation's academic research enterprise that is the
envy of the world.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The economic strength and national security of
the United States and the quality of life of all Americans are
grounded in the Nation's scientific and technological
capabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The National Science Foundation carries out an
important function in supporting basic research in all science
and engineering disciplines and in supporting science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology education at all
levels.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The research and education activities of the
National Science Foundation promote the discovery, integration,
dissemination, and application of new knowledge in service to
society and prepare future generations of scientists,
mathematicians, and engineers who will be necessary to ensure
America's leadership in the global marketplace.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The National Science Foundation must be
provided with sufficient resources to enable it to carry out
its responsibilities to develop intellectual capital,
strengthen the scientific infrastructure, integrate research
and education, enhance the delivery of mathematics and science
education in the United States, and improve the technological
literacy of all people in the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) The emerging global economic, scientific, and
technical environment challenges long-standing assumptions
about the dichotomy between domestic and international policy,
requiring the National Science Foundation to play a more
proactive role in sustaining the competitive advantage of the
United States through superior research capabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. POLICY OBJECTIVES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In allocating resources made available under section 5,
the Foundation shall have the following policy objectives:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) To strengthen the Nation's lead in science and
technology by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) increasing the national investment in
research in strategic areas;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) balancing the Nation's research
portfolio among the life sciences and fundamental
disciplines that are important for the continued
development of enabling technologies necessary for
sustained international competitiveness;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) expanding the pool of scientists and
engineers in the United States;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) modernizing the Nation's research
infrastructure; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) establishing and maintaining
cooperative international relationships with premier
research institutions, with the goal of such
relationships being the exchange of personnel, data,
and information in an effort to alleviate problems
common to the global community.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) To increase overall workforce skills by--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) improving the quality of mathematics
and science education, particularly in kindergarten
through grade 12;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) providing access to information
technology for all students;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) raising postsecondary enrollment rates
for underrepresented minorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) increasing access to higher education
for students from low-income households; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) expanding technical training
opportunities at institutions of higher
education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) To strengthen innovation by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) expanding the focus of competitiveness
and innovation policy at the regional and local
level;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) supporting initiatives and
organizations that enhance and mobilize regional
innovation; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) identifying best policy practices in
fostering innovation at the State, regional, and local
levels.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Fiscal Year 2003.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation $5,536,390,000
for fiscal year 2003.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount
authorized under paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) $4,174,840,000 shall be made available
to carry out research and related activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) $1,006,250,000 shall be made available
for education and human resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) $152,900,000 shall be made available
for major research equipment and facilities
construction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) $194,700,000 shall be made available
for salaries and expenses; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) $7,700,000 shall be made available for
the Office of Inspector General.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Fiscal Year 2004.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation $6,390,832,000
for fiscal year 2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount
authorized under paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) $4,842,814,000 shall be made available
to carry out research and related activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) $1,157,188,000 shall be made available
for education and human resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) $168,190,000 shall be made available
for major research equipment and facilities
construction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) $214,170,000 shall be made available
for salaries and expenses; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) $8,470,000 shall be made available for
the Office of Inspector General.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Fiscal Year 2005.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation $7,378,343,000
for fiscal year 2005.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount
authorized under paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) $5,617,665,000 shall be made available
to carry out research and related activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) $1,330,766,000 shall be made available
to carry out education and human resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) $185,009,000 shall be made available
for major research equipment and facilities
construction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) $235,587,000 shall be made available
for salaries and expenses; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) $9,317,000 shall be made available for
the Office of Inspector General.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Fiscal Year 2006.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation $8,519,776,000
for fiscal year 2006.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount
authorized under paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) $6,516,491,000 shall be made available
to carry out research and related activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) $1,530,380,000 shall be made available
to carry out education and human resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) $203,509,900 shall be made available
for major research equipment and facilities
construction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) $259,145,700 shall be made available
for salaries and expenses; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) $10,248,700 shall be made available
for the Office of Inspector General.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Fiscal Year 2007.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation $9,839,262,000
for fiscal year 2007.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount
authorized under paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) $7,559,130,000 shall be made available
to carry out research and related activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) $1,759,938,000 shall be made available
to carry out education and human resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) $223,860,900 shall be made available
for major research equipment and facilities
construction;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) $285,060,300 shall be made available
for salaries and expenses; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) $11,273,570 shall be made available
for the Office of Inspector General.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. SPECIFIC PROGRAM AUTHORIZATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> From amounts authorized to be appropriated under section
5, the Director shall continue the following initiatives:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Information technology.--An information
technology research program to support competitive, merit-based
proposals for research, education, and infrastructure support
in areas related to cybersecurity, terascale computing systems,
software, networking, scalability, communications, and data
management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Nanoscale science and engineering.--A
nanoscale science and engineering research and education
program to support competitive, merit-based proposals that
emphasize research aimed at--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) discovering novel phenomena,
processes, materials, and tools that address grand
challenges in materials, electronics, optoelectronics
and magnetics, manufacturing, the environment, and
healthcare; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) supporting new interdisciplinary
centers and networks of excellence, including shared
national user facilities, infrastructure, research, and
education activities on the societal implications of
advances in nanoscale science and
engineering.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Plant genome research.--A plant genome
research program to support competitive, merit-based
proposals--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) that advance our understanding of the
structure, organization, and function of plant genomes;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) that accelerate the use of new
knowledge and innovative technologies toward a more
complete understanding of basic biological processes in
plants, especially in economically important plants
such as corn and soybeans.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Innovation partnerships.--An innovation
partnerships program with the purpose of providing competitive,
merit-based support for proposals that seek to stimulate
innovation at the regional level through partnerships involving
States, regional governmental entities, local governmental
entities, industry, academic institutions, and other related
organizations in strategically important fields of science and
technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Mathematics and science partnerships.--An
education improvement initiative for current teachers that
provides eligible partnerships with grants to model ways in
which to enhance the capacity of elementary schools and
secondary schools, particularly those in high-poverty urban and
rural areas, to provide challenging mathematics and science
curricula to all students through--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the use of professional
mathematicians, scientists, and engineers both in and
outside the classroom;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the provision of stipends and
technological materials (including computers, training,
and other support) for individuals identified by local
educational agencies as potential master teachers, who
such agencies assure shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) mentor and systematically
assist other teachers in mathematics and
science instruction and the use of technology;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) be provided with paid,
sufficient time to participate in eligible
partnership supported activities and those
activities described in clause (i);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) implementation of summer and academic
year professional development institutes that train
teachers in mathematics and science content areas and
promising pedagogical techniques;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) support for distance learning programs
in mathematics and science; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) other activities the Director
determines will accomplish the goals of this
paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Robert c. noyce scholarship.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Multi-year awards to
institutions of higher education to provide future
teachers who have not less than 2 years of completed
work toward a baccalaureate degree in a mathematics or
science area with scholarships, stipends, and training
toward teacher certification or alternative
certification.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Selection.--An institution of higher
education that receives an award under this paragraph
shall provide scholarships, stipends, and training to
future teachers based on academic merit, with
consideration given to the financial need of such
future teachers and the goal of promoting participation
of women, minorities, and persons with
disabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Amount.--Scholarships and stipends
awarded pursuant to this paragraph shall be equal to
the lesser of $7,500, or the cost of attendance at the
institution of higher education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Service obligation.--Not later than 3
years after receiving a scholarship or stipend under
this paragraph, an individual shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) begin to undertake 2 years of
teaching mathematics or science in a high
poverty school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) provide the institution of
higher education attended by the individual
with 2 years of certification of completed full
time employment as a mathematics or science
teacher in a high poverty school; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) if necessary return all
relevant funds, including interest, awarded
pursuant to this paragraph in the event of
noncompliance with the terms of this paragraph,
unless the Director provides for partial or
total waiver of the terms of this subparagraph
for individuals due to extreme
hardship.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Science, mathematics, engineering and
technology talent expansion program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--A merit-based, multi-
year, competitive grant program for eligible applicants
to increase the number of students studying toward and
receiving associate's or bachelor's degrees in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Types of projects.--The types of
projects the Foundation may support under this
paragraph include those that promote high quality--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) interdisciplinary
teaching;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) undergraduate-conducted
research;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) mentor relationships for
students in underrepresented groups;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) bridge programs that enable
students at community colleges to matriculate
directly into baccalaureate science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology
programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) internships carried out in
partnership with industry; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) innovative uses of digital
technologies, particularly at institutions of
higher education that serve high numbers or
percentages of economically disadvantaged
students.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Performance accountability.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--In order to
receive a grant under this paragraph, an
eligible applicant shall establish benchmarks
to increase the number of students studying
toward and receiving associate's or bachelor's
degrees in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Continued funding.--In order
to receive continued annual funding under this
paragraph, an eligible applicant shall meet the
benchmarks established under clause
(i).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Secondary school systemic initiative.--A
merit-based, competitive grant program for State educational
agencies or local educational agencies that supports the
planning and implementation of agency-wide secondary school
reform initiatives designed to prepare graduating secondary
school students to read and comprehend specialized technical
and scientific texts, such as computer training materials or
the science section of a major newspaper, meet the mathematics
and science education needs of students at risk of not
achieving State academic achievement standards, reduce the need
for basic skill training by employers, and heighten college
completion rates, through--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) adoption of enriched mathematics and
science curricula for all students;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) strengthened teacher training in
mathematics, science, and reading as it relates to
technical and specialized texts;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) creation of smaller learning
communities, including initiatives that substantially
reduce class size, support new small schools, or small
schools within schools;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) collaborations between State and local
secondary school systems and institutions of higher
education that align curricula and higher education
placement requirements; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) other activities the Director
determines will accomplish the goals of this
paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Experimental program to stimulate competitive
research.--The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research established under section 113 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g) as part
of the Foundation's crosscutting/interdisciplinary programs.
The program shall provide for activities, which may include
research infrastructure improvement grants, co-funding
initiatives, and outreach initiatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) The science and engineering equal
opportunities act.--A comprehensive program designed to advance
the goals of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885 et seq.), including programs to provide
support to minority serving institutions.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Review and Assessment.--The Director shall conduct a
review and assessment of the major research instrumentation program
and, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act,
submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee
on Science of the House of Representatives. The report shall include--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) estimates of the needs, by major field of
science and engineering and by types of institutions of higher
education, for the types of research instrumentation that are
eligible for acquisition under the guidelines of the major
research instrumentation program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) since the inception of the major research
instrumentation program, the distribution of awards and funding
levels by year, by major field of science and engineering, and
by type of institution of higher education for the program;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) an analysis of the impact of the major
research instrumentation program on the research
instrumentation needs that were documented in the Foundation's
1994 survey of academic research instrumentation
needs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) OSTP Assessment.--The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) assess the need for and develop an interagency
program to establish fully equipped, state-of-the-art
university-based centers for interdisciplinary research and
advanced instrumentation development; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) submit a report, not later than 14 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, that contains the
assessment and the recommended interagency program developed
under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee
on Science of the House of Representatives .</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
PLAN.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Prioritization of Proposed Major Research Equipment
and Facilities Construction.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Development of priorities.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) List.--The Director shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) develop a list indicating by
number the relative priority for funding under
the major research equipment and facilities
construction account that the Director assigns
to each project the Board has approved for
inclusion in a future budget request;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) submit the list described in
clause (i) to the Board for approval.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Updates.--The Director shall update
the list prepared under subparagraph (A) each time the
Board approves a new project that would receive funding
under the major research equipment and facilities
construction account, as necessary to prepare reports
under paragraph (2), and, from time to time, submit any
updated list to the Board for approval.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Annual report.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, and not later than each June
15 thereafter, the Director shall transmit to Congress a report
containing--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the most recent Board-approved
priority list developed under paragraph
(1)(A);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) a description of the criteria used to
develop such list; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) a description of the major factors for
each project that determined the ranking of such
project on the list, based on the application of the
criteria described pursuant to subparagraph
(B).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Criteria.--The criteria described pursuant to
paragraph (2)(B) shall include, at a minimum--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) scientific merit;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) broad societal need and probable
impact;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) consideration of the results of formal
prioritization efforts by the scientific
community;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) readiness of plans for construction
and operation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) the applicant's management and
administrative capacity of large research
facilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) international and interagency
commitments; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) the order in which projects were
approved by the Board for inclusion in a future budget
request.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Facilities Plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 201(a)(1) of the National
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C.
1862l(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Director shall prepare, and
include as part of the Foundation's annual budget request to
Congress, a plan for the proposed construction of, and repair
and upgrades to, national research facilities, including full
life-cycle cost information.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Contents of plan.--Section 201(a)(2) of the
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42
U.S.C. 1862l(a)(2)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``(1);'' and inserting ``(1), including costs for
instrumentation development;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) at the end of subparagraph (B), by
striking ``and'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``construction.'' and inserting ``construction;'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) for each project funded under the
major research equipment and facilities construction
account--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) estimates of the total
project cost (from planning to commissioning);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the source of funds,
including Federal funding identified by
appropriations category and non-Federal
funding;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) estimates of the full life-cycle
cost of each national research facility;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) information on any plans to retire
national research facilities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) estimates of funding levels for
grants supporting research that will make use of each
national research facility.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Definition.--Section 2 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3)
through (5) as paragraphs (4) through (6),
respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Full life-cycle cost.--The term `full life-
cycle cost' means all costs of development, procurement,
construction, operations and support, and shut-down costs,
without regard to funding source and without regard to what
entity manages the project.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Project Management.--No national research facility
project funded under the major research equipment and facilities
construction account shall be managed by an individual whose
appointment to the Foundation is temporary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Board Approval of Major Research Equipment and
Facilities Projects.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Board shall explicitly
approve any project to be funded out of the major research
equipment and facilities construction account before any funds
may be obligated from such account for such project.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Report.--Not later than September 15 of each
fiscal year, the Board shall report to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate, and the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives on the conditions of any delegation of
authority under section 4 of the National Science Foundation
Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863) that relates to funds appropriated
for any project in the major research equipment and facilities
construction account.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Adoption of Procedures for Meetings.--Section 4(e) of
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(e)), is
amended by striking the second and third sentences and inserting ``The
Board shall adopt procedures governing the conduct of its meetings,
including a definition of a quorum and delivery of notice.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Confidentiality of Certain Information.--Section 14(i)
of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1873(i)) is
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Confidentiality of Certain Information.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Nondisclosure.--Information supplied
to the Foundation or a contractor of the Foundation in
survey forms, questionnaires, or similar instruments
for purposes of section 3(a) (5) or (6) by an
individual, an industrial or commercial organization,
or an educational or academic institution when the
institution has received a pledge of confidentiality
from the Foundation, shall not be disclosed to the
public unless the information has been transformed into
statistical or abstract formats that do not allow for
the identification of the supplier.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Statistical or research purposes.--
Information that has not been transformed into
nonidentifiable formats as described in subparagraph
(A) may be used only for statistical or research
purposes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Identities.--The identities of
individuals and organizations supplying information
described in subparagraph (A) may not be disclosed to
the public.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Obligations of researchers.--In support of
functions authorized by section 3(a) (5) or (6), the Foundation
may designate, at its discretion, authorized persons, including
employees of Federal, State or local agencies or
instrumentalities (including local educational agencies) and
employees of private organizations, to have access, for
statistical or research purposes only, to identifiable
information collected pursuant to section 3(a) (5) or (6). No
such person may--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) publish information collected
pursuant to section 3(a) (5) or (6) in such a manner
that either an individual, an industrial or commercial
organization, or an educational, academic, or other
nonprofit institution that has received a pledge of
confidentiality from the Foundation can be specifically
identified;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) permit anyone other than individuals
authorized by the Foundation to examine, in
identifiable form, data relating to an individual, an
industrial or commercial organization, or an academic,
educational, or other non-profit institution that has
received a pledge of confidentiality from the
Foundation; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) knowingly and willfully request or
obtain any confidential information described in
paragraph (1) from the Foundation under false
pretenses.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Penalty.--Violation of this subsection is
punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for
not more than 5 years, or both.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 10. REPORTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Grant Size and Duration.--Not later than 6 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate,
and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report
describing the impact that increasing the average grant size and
duration would have on minority serving institutions and on
institutions located in States where the Foundation's Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (established under section
113 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42
U.S.C. 1862g)) is carrying out activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Open Meetings.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Chair of the Board shall transmit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report
describing proposed procedures under which the Board could conduct its
meetings so as to ensure greater public access to its
deliberations.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Science Foundation Doubling
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National Science
Board established under section 2 of the National Science
Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation established under section 2 of
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
(3) Eligible applicant.--The term ``eligible applicant''
means--
(A) an institution of higher education;
(B) a consortium of institutions of higher
education; or
(C) a partnership between--
(i) an institution of higher education or a
consortium of such institutions; and
(ii)(I) a nonprofit organization with
demonstrated experience in delivering science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology
education; or
(II) a State government, local government,
or private company with demonstrated experience
in delivering science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology education.
(4) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National
Science Foundation established under section 2 of the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(6) National research facility.--The term ``national
research facility'' means a research facility funded by the
Foundation which is available, subject to appropriate policies
allocating access, for use by all scientists and engineers
affiliated with research institutions located in the United
States.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The National Science Foundation has made major
contributions during the past 50 years to strengthen and
sustain the Nation's academic research enterprise that is the
envy of the world.
(2) The economic strength and national security of the
United States and the quality of life of all Americans are
grounded in the Nation's scientific and technological
capabilities.
(3) The National Science Foundation carries out an
important function in supporting basic research in all science
and engineering disciplines and in supporting science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology education at all
levels.
(4) The research and education activities of the National
Science Foundation promote the discovery, integration,
dissemination, and application of new knowledge in service to
society and prepare future generations of scientists,
mathematicians, and engineers who will be necessary to ensure
America's leadership in the global marketplace.
(5) The National Science Foundation must be provided with
sufficient resources to enable it to carry out its
responsibilities to develop intellectual capital, strengthen
the scientific infrastructure, integrate research and
education, enhance the delivery of mathematics and science
education in the United States, and improve the technological
literacy of all people in the United States.
(6) The emerging global economic, scientific, and technical
environment challenges long-standing assumptions about the
dichotomy between domestic and international policy, requiring
the National Science Foundation to play a more proactive role
in sustaining the competitive advantage of the United States
through superior research capabilities.
SEC. 4. POLICY OBJECTIVES.
In allocating resources made available under section 5, the
Foundation shall have the following policy objectives:
(1) To strengthen the Nation's lead in science and
technology by--
(A) increasing the national investment in general
scientific research and in strategic areas;
(B) balancing the Nation's research portfolio among
the life sciences and fundamental disciplines in
mathematics, the physical sciences, computer and
information science, geoscience, engineering, and
social, behavioral, and economic sciences that are
important for the continued development of enabling
technologies necessary for sustained international
competitiveness;
(C) expanding the pool of scientists and engineers
in the United States;
(D) modernizing the Nation's research
infrastructure; and
(E) establishing and maintaining cooperative
international relationships with premier research
institutions, with the goal of such relationships being
the exchange of personnel, data, and information in an
effort to alleviate problems common to the global
community.
(2) To increase overall workforce skills by--
(A) improving the quality of mathematics and
science education, particularly in kindergarten through
grade 12;
(B) providing access to information technology for
all students;
(C) raising postsecondary enrollment rates for
underrepresented minorities in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology disciplines;
(D) increasing access to higher education in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
fields for students from low-income households; and
(E) expanding technical training opportunities at
institutions of higher education.
(3) To strengthen innovation by--
(A) expanding the focus of competitiveness and
innovation policy at the regional and local level;
(B) supporting initiatives and organizations that
enhance and mobilize regional innovation; and
(C) identifying best policy practices in fostering
innovation at the State, regional, and local levels.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Fiscal Year 2003.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the National Science Foundation $5,536,390,000 for fiscal year
2003.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $4,174,840,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
(B) $1,006,250,000 shall be made available for
education and human resources;
(C) $152,900,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $194,700,000 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses; and
(E) $7,700,000 shall be made available for the
Office of Inspector General.
(b) Fiscal Year 2004.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the National Science Foundation $6,390,832,000 for fiscal year
2004.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $4,842,814,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
(B) $1,157,188,000 shall be made available for
education and human resources;
(C) $168,190,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $214,170,000 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses; and
(E) $8,470,000 shall be made available for the
Office of Inspector General.
(c) Fiscal Year 2005.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the National Science Foundation $7,378,343,000 for fiscal year
2005.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $5,617,665,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
(B) $1,330,766,000 shall be made available to carry
out education and human resources;
(C) $185,009,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $235,587,000 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses; and
(E) $9,317,000 shall be made available for the
Office of Inspector General.
(d) Fiscal Year 2006.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the National Science Foundation $8,519,776,000 for fiscal year
2006.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $6,516,491,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
(B) $1,530,380,000 shall be made available to carry
out education and human resources;
(C) $203,509,900 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $259,145,700 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses; and
(E) $10,248,700 shall be made available for the
Office of Inspector General.
(e) Fiscal Year 2007.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the National Science Foundation $9,839,262,000 for fiscal year
2007.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $7,559,130,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
(B) $1,759,938,000 shall be made available to carry
out education and human resources;
(C) $223,860,900 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $285,060,300 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses; and
(E) $11,273,570 shall be made available for the
Office of Inspector General.
SEC. 6. SPECIFIC PROGRAM AUTHORIZATIONS.
From amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 5, the
Director shall continue the following initiatives in accordance with
this section:
(1) Information technology.--An information technology
research program to support competitive, merit-based proposals
for research, education, and infrastructure support in areas
related to cybersecurity, terascale computing systems,
software, networking, scalability, communications, and data
management.
(2) Nanoscale science and engineering.--A nanoscale science
and engineering research and education program to support
competitive, merit-based proposals that emphasize research
aimed at--
(A) discovering novel phenomena, processes,
materials, and tools that address grand challenges in
materials, electronics, optoelectronics and magnetics,
manufacturing, the environment, and healthcare; and
(B) supporting new interdisciplinary centers and
networks of excellence, including shared national user
facilities, infrastructure, research, and education
activities on the societal implications of advances in
nanoscale science and engineering.
(3) Plant genome research.--A plant genome research program
to support competitive, merit-based proposals--
(A) that advance our understanding of the
structure, organization, and function of plant genomes;
and
(B) that accelerate the use of new knowledge and
innovative technologies toward a more complete
understanding of basic biological processes in plants,
especially in economically important plants such as
corn and soybeans.
(4) Innovation partnerships.--An innovation partnerships
program with the purpose of providing competitive, merit-based
support for proposals that seek to stimulate innovation at the
regional level through partnerships involving States, regional
governmental entities, local governmental entities, industry,
academic institutions, and other related organizations in
strategically important fields of science and technology.
(5) Mathematics and science partnerships.--
(A) In general.--
(i) Competitive grant program.--During
fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005, the Director
shall carry out a mathematics and science
partnership program in accordance with the
requirements of sections 2201 and 2202 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6661 and 6662) (as such sections
were in effect on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act), by awarding competitive
grants to eligible partnerships (as defined
under section 2201 of such Act as so in effect)
in accordance with such section 2202(a)(1) as
so in effect without regard to the amount of
funds appropriated for such program under
section 2203 of such Act (as such section was
in effect on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act).
(ii) Formula grant program.--During fiscal
years 2006 and 2007, the Director shall carry
out a mathematics and science partnership
program in accordance with the requirements of
sections 2201 and 2202 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6661
and 6662) (as such sections were in effect on
the day before the date of enactment of this
Act), by awarding grants to State educational
agencies in accordance with such section
2202(a)(2) as so in effect without regard to
the amount of funds appropriated for such
program under section 2203 of such Act (as such
section was in effect on the day before the
date of enactment of this Act). If an eligible
partnership was previously awarded a grant
under clause (i), and the grant period has not
ended, the Director shall reserve funds in a
sufficient amount to make payments to the
partnership in accordance with the terms of the
grant.
(iii) Consultation and coordination.--The
Director shall consult and coordinate with the
Secretary of Education in carrying out the
program under this subparagraph.
(B) Shared plan.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director and the
Secretary of Education shall prepare a plan for the
joint administration of this paragraph and submit such
plan to Congress for review and comment.
(C) Technical assistance.--At the request of an
eligible partnership or a State educational agency, the
Director shall provide the partnership or agency with
technical assistance in meeting any requirements of the
mathematics and science partnership program carried out
by the Director, including providing advice from
experts on how to develop--
(i) a high-quality application for a grant
or subgrant under the program; and
(ii) high-quality activities from funds
received from a grant or subgrant under the
program.
(6) Robert c. noyce scholarship.--
(A) In general.--A program of multi-year awards to
institutions of higher education to enable the
institutions to provide future teachers, who have not
less than 2 years of completed work toward a
baccalaureate degree in a mathematics or science area,
with scholarships, stipends, and training toward
teacher certification or alternative certification.
(B) Selection.--An institution of higher education
that receives an award under this paragraph shall
provide scholarships, stipends, and training to future
teachers based on academic merit, with consideration
given to the financial need of such future teachers and
the goal of promoting the participation in the program
of women, minorities, and individuals with
disabilities.
(C) Amount.--Scholarships and stipends awarded
pursuant to this paragraph shall be equal to the lesser
of $7,500, or the cost of attendance at the institution
of higher education.
(D) Service obligation.--Not later than 3 years
after receiving a scholarship or stipend under this
paragraph, an individual shall begin to teach
mathematics or science in a high poverty school for 2
years.
(E) Certification.--
(i) In general.--An individual that
receives a scholarship or stipend under this
paragraph shall provide the institution of
higher education attended by the individual
with a certification that the individual has
completed full time employment as a mathematics
or science teacher in a high poverty school.
(ii) Submission of certification.--An
individual shall submit the certification
described in clause (i) at the end of each
academic year for which the individual was
employed as a full-time teacher of mathematics
or science in a high poverty school in
compliance with the service obligation under
subparagraph (D).
(F) Noncompliance.--In the event an individual
provided a scholarship or stipend under this paragraph
does not comply with subparagraphs (D) or (E), such
individual shall repay all funds received under the
program, including interest on such funds at the
prevailing market rate, unless the Director provides
for partial or total waiver of the terms of this
subparagraph for an individual due to extreme hardship.
(7) Science, mathematics, engineering and technology talent
expansion program.--
(A) In general.--A merit-based, multi-year,
competitive grant program for eligible applicants to
increase the number of students, particularly students
who are women, minorities, or persons with
disabilities, studying toward and receiving associate's
or bachelor's degrees in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology.
(B) Types of projects.--The types of projects the
Foundation may support under this paragraph include
those that promote high quality--
(i) interdisciplinary teaching;
(ii) undergraduate-conducted research;
(iii) mentor relationships for students in
underrepresented groups;
(iv) bridge programs that enable students
at community colleges to matriculate directly
into baccalaureate science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology programs;
(v) internships carried out in partnership
with industry; and
(vi) innovative uses of digital
technologies, particularly at institutions of
higher education that serve high numbers or
percentages of economically disadvantaged
students.
(C) Performance accountability.--
(i) In general.--In order to receive a
grant under this paragraph, an eligible
applicant shall establish benchmarks to
increase the number of students studying toward
and receiving associate's or bachelor's degrees
in science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology.
(ii) Continued funding.--In order to
receive continued annual funding under this
paragraph, an eligible applicant shall meet the
benchmarks established under clause (i).
(8) Secondary school systemic initiative.--
(A) In general.--A merit-based, competitive grant
program for State educational agencies or local
educational agencies, with priority given to agencies
that serve high poverty communities, that supports the
planning and implementation of agency-wide secondary
school reform initiatives designed to promote
scientific and technological literacy, meet the
mathematics and science education needs of students at
risk of not achieving State academic achievement
standards, reduce the need for basic skill training by
employers, and heighten college completion rates.
(B) Permissible use of funds.--Grant funds received
under the grant program described in subparagraph (A)
may be used to refurbish or build secondary school
science laboratories as part of a comprehensive program
to enhance the quality of science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology instruction.
(9) Experimental program to stimulate competitive
research.--
(A) In general.--The Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research, established under
section 113 of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g), that is
designed to enhance--
(i) competitive research in mathematics,
science, and engineering throughout the States
eligible to participate in the program and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(ii) research infrastructure in the States
eligible to participate in the program and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(iii) the geographic distribution of
Federal research and development support.
(B) Activities.--The program identified under
subparagraph (A) shall--
(i) provide for activities determined
appropriate by the Foundation, which may
include research infrastructure improvement
grants (that target funds based on a State's
research capabilities), co-funding initiatives,
and outreach initiatives for eligible States;
(ii) subject to clause (iv), when
determining eligibility for participation in
the program, include a State for which the
total amount of National Science Foundation
research funding provided to all institutions
within the State for the 3 years preceding the
year for which the determination is made was
not more than 1.0 percent of the total amount
of Foundation research funding made available
to all States for those 3 years;
(iii) ensure that a State that is eligible
to participate in the program on the date of
enactment of this Act is immediately eligible
for planning funds; and
(iv) ensure that a State that was eligible
to participate in the program on the day before
the date of enactment of this Act receives not
less than 100 percent of the amount of funds
the State received under the program for fiscal
year 2002.
(10) The science and engineering equal opportunities act.--
A comprehensive program designed to advance the goals of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885
et seq.), including programs to--
(A) provide support to minority serving
institutions; and
(B) ensure that reports required under sections 36
and 37 of such Act are submitted to the--
(i) Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives;
(ii) Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate; and
(iii) Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF RESEARCH ON MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE LEARNING
AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.
(a) Establishment.--The Director shall award grants, on a
competitive basis, to--
(1) conduct and evaluate research in cognitive science,
education, and related fields associated with the science of
learning and teaching mathematics and science; and
(2) develop ways in which the results of such research can
be applied, duplicated, and scaled up for use in low-performing
elementary schools and secondary schools to improve the
teaching and student achievement levels in mathematics and
science.
(b) Application.--An applicant desiring to receive a grant under
this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time,
in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may
require.
(c) Evaluation.--
(1) In general.--In evaluating the applications submitted
under subsection (b), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively
carry out the research program and apply the
applicant's results to effective educational practice;
(B) the experience of the applicant in conducting
research on the science of teaching and learning
mathematics and science and the capacity of the
applicant to foster new multidisciplinary
collaborations; and
(C) the capacity of the applicant to attract and
provide adequate support for graduate students to
pursue research at the intersection of educational
practice and basic research on human cognition and
learning.
(2) Current practices.--Not less than 1 of the grants
awarded by the Director under subsection (a) shall include a
comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of current
mathematics and science teaching practices.
(d) Activities.--An applicant receiving a grant under this section
shall--
(1) include, in such applicant's research, the active
participation of elementary school and secondary school
administrators and mathematics and science teachers; and
(2) submit the results of such applicant's research to the
Director.
(e) Coordination.--The Director shall--
(1) apply the results of the research conducted pursuant to
grants awarded under this section to developing models of
educational practice and assess the success of such models;
(2) coordinate with the Secretary of Education in--
(A) devising a research agenda to carry out this
section;
(B) disseminating the results of the research
conducted pursuant to grants awarded under this section
to elementary school teachers and secondary school
teachers; and
(C) providing programming, guidance, and support to
ensure that such teachers--
(i) understand the implications of the
research disseminated under subparagraph (B)
for classroom practice; and
(ii) can use the research to improve such
teachers performance in the classroom.
SEC. 8. DUPLICATION OF PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Director shall review the education programs
of the Foundation that are in operation as of the date of enactment of
this Act to determine whether any of such programs duplicate the
programs authorized under this Act.
(b) Implementation.--As programs authorized under this Act are
implemented, the Director shall--
(1) terminate any existing duplicative program being
carried out by the Foundation or merge the existing duplicative
program into a program authorized under this Act; and
(2) not establish any new program that duplicates a program
that has been implemented pursuant to this Act.
(c) Report.--
(1) Review.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall review the education programs of the
Foundation to ensure compliance with the provisions of this
section.
(2) Submission.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter as part of the
annual Office of Science and Technology Policy's budget
submission to Congress, the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy shall complete a report on the review
carried out under this subsection and shall submit the report
to--
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives;
(D) the Committee on Education and the Workforce of
the House of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 9. MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION.
(a) Review and Assessment.--The Director shall conduct a review and
assessment of the major research instrumentation program and, not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report of
findings and recommendations to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Science of the
House of Representatives. The report shall include--
(1) estimates of the needs, by major field of science and
engineering and by types of institutions of higher education,
for the types of research instrumentation that are eligible for
acquisition under the guidelines of the major research
instrumentation program;
(2) since the inception of the major research
instrumentation program, the distribution of awards and funding
levels by year, by major field of science and engineering, and
by type of institution of higher education for the program; and
(3) an analysis of the impact of the major research
instrumentation program on the research instrumentation needs
that were documented in the Foundation's 1994 survey of
academic research instrumentation needs.
(b) OSTP Assessment.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall--
(1) assess the need for and develop an interagency program
to establish fully equipped, state-of-the-art university-based
centers for interdisciplinary research and advanced
instrumentation development; and
(2) submit a report, not later than 14 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, that contains the assessment and
the recommended interagency program developed under paragraph
(1) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 10. MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PLAN.
(a) Prioritization of Proposed Major Research Equipment and
Facilities Construction.--
(1) Development of priorities.--
(A) List.--The Director shall--
(i) develop a list indicating by number the
relative priority for funding under the major
research equipment and facilities construction
account that the Director assigns to each
project the Board has approved for inclusion in
a future budget request; and
(ii) submit the list described in clause
(i) to the Board for approval.
(B) Updates.--The Director shall update the list
prepared under subparagraph (A) each time the Board
approves a new project that would receive funding under
the major research equipment and facilities
construction account, as necessary to prepare reports
under paragraph (2), and, from time to time, submit any
updated list to the Board for approval.
(2) Annual report.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, and not later than each June 15
thereafter, the Director shall transmit to Congress a report
containing--
(A) the most recent Board-approved priority list
developed under paragraph (1)(A);
(B) a description of the criteria used to develop
such list; and
(C) a description of the major factors for each
project that determined the ranking of such project on
the list, based on the application of the criteria
described pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(3) Criteria.--The criteria described pursuant to paragraph
(2)(B) shall include, at a minimum--
(A) scientific merit;
(B) broad societal need and probable impact;
(C) consideration of the results of formal
prioritization efforts by the scientific community;
(D) readiness of plans for construction and
operation;
(E) the applicant's management and administrative
capacity of large research facilities;
(F) international and interagency commitments; and
(G) the order in which projects were approved by
the Board for inclusion in a future budget request.
(b) Facilities Plan.--
(1) In general.--Section 201(a)(1) of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862l(a)(1)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--The Director shall prepare, and include
as part of the Foundation's annual budget request to Congress,
a plan for the proposed construction of, and repair and
upgrades to, national research facilities, including full life-
cycle cost information.''.
(2) Contents of plan.--Section 201(a)(2) of the National
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C.
1862l(a)(2)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(1);'' and
inserting ``(1), including costs for instrumentation
development;'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``construction.'' and inserting ``construction;''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) for each project funded under the major
research equipment and facilities construction
account--
``(i) estimates of the total project cost
(from planning to commissioning); and
``(ii) the source of funds, including
Federal funding identified by appropriations
category and non-Federal funding;
``(E) estimates of the full life-cycle cost of each
national research facility;
``(F) information on any plans to retire national
research facilities; and
``(G) estimates of funding levels for grants
supporting research that will make use of each national
research facility.''.
(3) Definition.--Section 2 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note) is
amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as
paragraphs (4) through (6), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Full life-cycle cost.--The term `full life-cycle
cost' means all costs of development, procurement,
construction, operations and support, and shut-down costs,
without regard to funding source and without regard to what
entity manages the project.''.
(c) Project Management.--No national research facility project
funded under the major research equipment and facilities construction
account shall be managed by an individual whose appointment to the
Foundation is temporary.
(d) Board Approval of Major Research Equipment and Facilities
Projects.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall explicitly approve any
project to be funded out of the major research equipment and
facilities construction account before any funds may be
obligated from such account for such project.
(2) Report.--Not later than September 15 of each fiscal
year, the Board shall report to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives on the
conditions of any delegation of authority under section 4 of
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863)
that relates to funds appropriated for any project in the major
research equipment and facilities construction account.
SEC. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.
(a) Adoption of Procedures for Meetings.--Section 4(e) of the
National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(e)), is amended
by striking the second and third sentences and inserting ``The Board
shall adopt procedures governing the conduct of its meetings, including
a definition of a quorum and delivery of notice.''.
(b) Confidentiality of Certain Information.--Section 14(i) of the
National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1873(i)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(i) Confidentiality of Certain Information.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Nondisclosure.--Information supplied to the
Foundation or a contractor of the Foundation in survey
forms, questionnaires, or similar instruments for
purposes of section 3(a) (5) or (6) by an individual,
an industrial or commercial organization, or an
educational or academic institution when the
institution has received a pledge of confidentiality
from the Foundation, shall not be disclosed to the
public unless the information has been transformed into
statistical or abstract formats that do not allow for
the identification of the supplier.
``(B) Statistical or research purposes.--
Information that has not been transformed into
nonidentifiable formats as described in subparagraph
(A) may be used only for statistical or research
purposes.
``(C) Identities.--The identities of individuals
and organizations supplying information described in
subparagraph (A) may not be disclosed to the public.
``(2) Obligations of researchers.--In support of functions
authorized by section 3(a) (5) or (6), the Foundation may
designate, at its discretion, authorized persons, including
employees of Federal, State or local agencies or
instrumentalities (including local educational agencies) and
employees of private organizations, to have access, for
statistical or research purposes only, to identifiable
information collected pursuant to section 3(a) (5) or (6). No
such person may--
``(A) publish information collected pursuant to
section 3(a) (5) or (6) in such a manner that either an
individual, an industrial or commercial organization,
or an educational, academic, or other nonprofit
institution that has received a pledge of
confidentiality from the Foundation can be specifically
identified;
``(B) permit anyone other than individuals
authorized by the Foundation to examine, in
identifiable form, data relating to an individual, an
industrial or commercial organization, or an academic,
educational, or other non-profit institution that has
received a pledge of confidentiality from the
Foundation; or
``(C) knowingly and willfully request or obtain any
confidential information described in paragraph (1)
from the Foundation under false pretenses.
``(3) Penalty.--Violation of this subsection is punishable
by a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for not more
than 5 years, or both.''.
(c) Appointment.--Section 4(g) of the National Science Foundation
Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(g)) is amended by striking the second
sentence and inserting ``Such staff shall be appointed by the Chairman
and assigned at the direction of the Board.''.
SEC. 12. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ACT AMENDMENTS.
Section 32 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``backgrounds.'' and
inserting ``backgrounds, including persons with
disabilities.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by inserting ``, including persons with
disabilities,'' after ``backgrounds''; and
(B) by striking ``and minorities'' each place the
term appears and inserting ``, minorities, and persons
with disabilities''.
SEC. 13. AMENDMENT TO THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF
1965.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by striking part B.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) and the amendment made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2003.
SEC. 14. REPORTS.
(a) Grant Size and Duration.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report
describing the impact that increasing the average grant size and
duration would have on minority serving institutions and on
institutions located in States where the Foundation's Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (established under section
113 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42
U.S.C. 1862g)) is carrying out activities.
(b) Open Meetings.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Chair of the Board shall transmit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report
describing proposed procedures under which the Board could conduct its
meetings so as to ensure greater public access to its deliberations.
SEC. 15. EVALUATIONS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
the Director shall annually evaluate a random sample of grants,
contracts, or other awards made pursuant to this Act.
(b) Dissemination.--The Director shall--
(1) provide for the dissemination of the results of the
evaluations conducted pursuant to subsection (a) to the public;
and
(2) provide notice to the public that such evaluations are
available.
SEC. 16. REPORT BY COMMITTEE ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING.
As part of the first report required by section 36(e) of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885c(e))
transmitted to Congress after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering shall
include the following--
(1) a summary its findings over the previous 10 years;
(2) a description of past and present policies and
activities of the Foundation to encourage full participation of
women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with
disabilities in science, mathematics, and engineering fields,
including activities in support of minority serving
institutions; and
(3) an assessment of trends of participation and of the
success of National Science Foundation policies and activities,
along with proposals for new strategies or the broadening of
existing successful strategies toward facilitating the goals of
that Act.
Calendar No. 734
107th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2817
[Report No. 107-291]
[Report No. 107-317]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
and 2007 for the National Science Foundation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
October 16, 2002
Reported with an amendment