US Codex
Bill
Notes

H.R. 3293 — what changed

Scientific Research in the National Interest Act

From Reported in House to Engrossed in House. 1 section amended between Reported in House and Engrossed in House.

Sec. 2 Greater accountability in Federal funding for research

(a)
Standard for award of grants— The National Science Foundation shall award Federal funding for basic research and education in the sciences through a new research grant or cooperative agreement only if an affirmative determination is made by the Foundation under subsection (b) and written justification relating thereto is published under subsection (c).
(b)
Determination— A determination referred to in subsection (a) is a justification by the responsible Foundation official as to how the research grant or cooperative agreement promotes the progress of science in the United States, consistent with the Foundation mission as established in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), and further—
(1)
changed is worthy of Federal funding; andfunding;
(2)
added is consistent with established and widely accepted scientific methods applicable to the field of study of exploration;
(3)
added is consistent with the definition of basic research as it applies to the purpose and field of study; and
(4)
renumbered was (3)(4) is in the national interest, as indicated by having the potential to achieve—
(A)
renumbered was (3)(4)(2) increased economic competitiveness in the United States;
(B)
renumbered was (3)(4)(3) advancement of the health and welfare of the American public;
(C)
added development of an American STEM workforce, including computer science and information technology sectors, that is globally competitive;
(C)
removed development of an American STEM workforce that is globally competitive;
(D)
renumbered was (3)(4)(5) increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology in the United States;
(E)
renumbered was (3)(4)(6) increased partnerships between academia and industry in the United States;
(F)
renumbered was (3)(4)(7) support for the national defense of the United States; or
(G)
renumbered was (3)(4)(8) promotion of the progress of science for the United States.
(c)
Written justification— Public announcement of each award of Federal funding described in subsection (a) shall include a written justification from the responsible Foundation official as to how a grant or cooperative agreement meets the requirements of subsection (b).
(d)
Implementation— A determination under subsection (b) shall be made after a research grant or cooperative agreement proposal has satisfied the Foundation’s reviews for Merit and Broader Impacts. Nothing in this section shall be construed as altering the Foundation’s intellectual merit or broader impacts criteria for evaluating grant applications.
(e)
added Clarification— Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impact Federal funding for research grants or cooperative agreements awarded by the National Science Foundation prior to the date of enactment of this Act.