--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 19107" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "19107" heading: "Challenges and focus areas" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/19107" units: - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation" - "Subchapter III — National Science Foundation for the Future" - "Part G — Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships" --- # §19107. Challenges and focus areas - (a) **In general—** In consultation with the Assistant [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1), the Board, and the interagency working group established under part D of subchapter VI, the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall identify, and annually review and update as appropriate, a list of— - (1) not more than 5 United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges that may be addressed by technology to guide activities under this part; and - (2) not more than 10 key technology focus areas to guide activities under this part. - (b) **Initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges—** The initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges are the following: - (1) United States national security. - (2) United States manufacturing and industrial productivity. - (3) United States workforce development and skills gaps. - (4) Climate change and environmental sustainability. - (5) Inequitable access to education, opportunity, or other services. - (c) **Initial list of key technology focus areas—** The initial list of key technology focus areas are the following: - (1) [Artificial intelligence](/usc/42/18901.md?p=1), machine learning, autonomy, and related advances. - (2) High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software. - (3) [Quantum information science](/usc/42/18901.md?p=23) and technology. - (4) Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. - (5) Natural and anthropogenic [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) prevention or mitigation. - (6) Advanced communications technology and immersive technology. - (7) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology. - (8) Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics. - (9) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for the purposes of electric generation (consistent with [section 1874 of this title](/usc/42/1874.md). - (10) Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies. - (d) **Relationship between United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges and key technology focus areas—** - (1) In updating the list under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1), the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall evaluate national and global technology trends. - (2) In updating the list under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2), the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall consider the impact of the selected technologies on United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges. - (3) The list under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) may, but is not required to, align directly with the list under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1). - (4) Nothing under this section shall prevent the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) from making limited investments in technologies or areas not identified in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) or [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2). - (e) **Review and updates—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1), in coordination with the interagency working group established under part D of subchapter VI and in consultation with the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) of National Intelligence and the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall annually review and update as appropriate, the list of key technology focus areas for purposes of this division. As part of the annual review, the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1)— - (1) shall consider input from relevant industries and stakeholders; - (2) may consider the challenges and recommendations identified in the reports required by sections [6615](/usc/42/6615.md) and [6615b](/usc/42/6615b.md) of this title, as added by section 10611 and 10613 of this division and in other relevant reports, such as technology and global trend reports from the defense and intelligence communities; - (3) shall consider the potential impact of the key technology focus areas on addressing societal, national, and geostrategic challenges; and - (4) subject to the limitation under [subsection (a)](#a), may add or delete key technology focus areas in light of shifting national needs or competitive threats to the United States (including for reasons of the United States or other countries having advanced or fallen behind in a technological area). - (f) **Reporting—** At the conclusion of the annual review and update process required by [subsection (e)](#e), the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1), in consultation with other [Federal research agencies](/usc/42/18901.md?p=10), as appropriate, shall deliver a report to Congress detailing— - (1) the key technology focus areas and rationale for their selection; - (2) the societal, national, and geostrategic challenges and rationale for their selection; - (3) the role of the [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11) in advancing the key technology focus areas; - (4) the impact, including to the academic research community, of any changes to the key technology focus areas; and - (5) the activities and partnerships between the Directorate and the private sector. - (g) **Detailed description—** The National Science [Foundation](/usc/42/18901.md?p=11) shall, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, submit as part of their annual budget requests to Congress, a detailed description of the activities to be funded under this part, including an explanation of how the requested funding is complementary and not redundant of programs, efforts, and infrastructure undertaken or supported by other relevant Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). - (h) **National Academies—** Not later than 5 years after August 9, 2022, the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall contract with the [National Academies](/usc/42/18901.md?p=20) to conduct a review of the key technology focus areas and the societal, national, and geostrategic challenges, including— - (1) an assessment of their selection process; - (2) an assessment of their relevance to the purposes of the Directorate, including to solving challenges with social, economic, health, scientific, and national security implications; - (3) a review of whether Federal investment in the key technology focus areas have resulted in new domestic manufacturing capacity and job creation; - (4) an assessment of any critical, new emerging areas; - (5) an assessment of Federal investments in education and workforce development to support the key technology focus areas; and - (6) an assessment of relative balance in leadership in addressing the key technology focus areas between the United States, allied and partner countries, and the People’s Republic of China. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title III, § 10387, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1579.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text This division, referred to in subsec. (e), is div. B of Pub. L. 117–167, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1399, which enacted this chapter and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of div. B to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 18901 of this title and Tables. Sections 10611 and 10613 of this division, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), are sections 10611 and 10613 of div. B of Pub. L. 117–167, which, respectively, generally amended section 6615 of this title and enacted section 6615b of this title.