(Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations to NSF, increasing each year, for FY 2003 through 2005, with specified allocations for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) salaries and expenses; (5) the Office of the National Science Board (Board); and (6) the Office of Inspector General. Authorizes appropriations to NSF for FY 2006 and 2007, without specific allocations, if Congress determines that NSF has made successful progress in meeting management goals.
(Sec. 6) Prohibits the obligation of major research equipment and facilities construction funds until 30 days after the NSF Director submits an annual report (required under this Act) containing a list of the most recent Board-approved projects.
(Sec. 7) Requires the Director to submit to specified congressional committees an annual plan for the allocation of funds for the corresponding fiscal year.
(Sec. 8) Requires the Director to carry out the following initiatives: (1) an information technology research program in areas related to cybersecurity, terascale computing systems, software, networking, scalability, communications, data management, and remote sensing and geospatial information technologies; (2) a nanoscale science and engineering research and education program; (3) a plant genome research program, including regional plant genome and gene expression research centers and basic genome research partnerships; (4) a science and technology innovation partnerships program; (5) a mathematics and science education partnerships program; (6) a Robert Noyce Scholarship Program; (7) a multi-year, competitive grant program to increase the number of associate's or bachelor's degree students in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology; (8) a competitive grant program for State or local educational agencies that supports the planning and implementation of agency-wide secondary school reform initiatives designed to promote scientific and technological literacy; (9) the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; (10) a comprehensive program to advance the goals of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act; and (11) an astronomical research program.
(Sec. 9) Requires the Director to award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit organizations to establish mathematics and science education partnership programs to improve elementary and secondary mathematics and science instruction. Requires such programs to include activities that: (1) emphasize the training of master teachers for improving the instruction of mathematics or science; (2) encourage the interest of girls in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology; and (3) support research projects performed by students at secondary schools. Requires the Director to give priority to applications which include a high-need local educational agency and to ensure that a substantial number of partnerships funded include businesses. Requires: (1) program evaluation and dissemination of results; (2) annual reports on program coordination with provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (3) appropriate technical assistance to meet program requirements.
(Sec. 10) Requires the Director to award grants to institutions of higher education to provide scholarships, stipends, and programming designed to recruit and train mathematics and science teachers (to be known as the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program). Requires each individual receiving a scholarship or stipend under the program to complete, within six years of graduation, two years of service as a mathematics or science teacher for each year the scholarship was received. Requires repayment for unserved periods or failure to graduate. Allows the Director to waive a service or repayment obligation whenever compliance is impossible or would involve extreme hardship or if enforcement would be unconscionable.
(Sec. 11) Requires the Director to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement, which shall conduct and evaluate research in cognitive science, education, and related fields and develop ways in which research results can be applied in elementary and secondary school classrooms to improve the teaching of mathematics and science. Requires the Director to convene an annual meeting of such Centers to foster collaboration and disseminate research results.
(Sec. 12) Requires the Director to: (1) determine whether any existing NSF programs duplicate programs authorized under this Act; (2) terminate or merge any existing duplicative program; and (3) not establish any new duplicative program. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to review NSF education programs to ensure compliance with such requirements and to report review results to specified congressional committees.
(Sec. 13) Requires the Director to: (1) assess and report to specified congressional committees on the major research instrumentation program; (2) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to assess the need for an interagency program to establish and support university-based centers for interdisciplinary research and advanced instrumentation development; and (3) submit the NAS assessment results to specified congressional committees.
(Sec. 14) Requires the Director to: (1) develop, submit to the Board for approval, and report to specified congressional committees on a list indicating the relative priority for funding under the major research equipment and facilities construction account of each project the Board has approved for inclusion in a future budget request; and (2) include in the NSF annual budget request a plan for the proposed construction of, and repair and upgrades to, national research facilities, including full life-cycle cost information. Prohibits the management of any national research facility project by an NSF temporary appointee. Requires the Board to: (1) explicitly approve any project before funds may be obligated; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on any delegation of authority related to funding for any project. Requires the Director to: (1) arrange through NAS a study on setting priorities for a diverse array of disciplinary and inter-disciplinary NSF-sponsored large research facility projects; and (2) submit study results to specified congressional committees.
(Sec. 15) Requires the Board to conduct open business meetings. Requires the NSF's Inspector General to: (1) conduct annual audits of Board compliance with open meeting requirements; and (2) report audit results to specified congressional committees.
Authorizes NSF to designate persons authorized to have access to identifiable information for statistical and research purposes only. Subjects violators of NSF confidentiality provisions to a $10,000 fine and five years' imprisonment.
(Sec. 17) Requires the Director to award grants to institutions of higher education to expand previously implemented reforms of undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, or technology education that have been demonstrated to increase the number and quality of students studying toward and completing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in such fields.
(Sec. 18) Requires the Director to transmit to specified congressional committees 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 NSF's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research is carrying out activities.
Requires the Director to: (1) arrange with NAS to assess gender differences in the careers of science and engineering faculty and to transmit results to specified congressional committees; (2) enter into an arrangement with an appropriate party to assess gender differences in the distribution of external Federal research and development funding and to transmit assessment results to specified congressional committees; (3) study and report to specified congressional committees on issues related to broadband network access for schools and libraries; and (4) report annually to specified congressional committees on the amount of NSF funding to minority-serving institutions and recommendations for the improvement of such funding.
(Sec. 19) Requires the Director to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of all undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education activities supported by NSF in increasing the number and quality of students studying toward and completing degrees in such fields; (2) establish a common set of assessment benchmarks and tools for use in NSF project-based assessment activities; (3) report every three years to specified congressional committees the results of such evaluation; and (4) annually evaluate a random sample of grants, contracts, or other awards made pursuant to this Act and provide for disseminating the results to the public.
(Sec. 20) Instructs the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering to include as part of the first biennial report on its activities transmitted to Congress after the date of enactment of this Act: (1) a summary of its findings over the previous ten years; (2) a description of past and present NSF policies and activities to encourage the full participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science, mathematics, and engineering fields; and (3) an assessment of trends of participation and of the success of NSF policies and activities, along with proposals for new strategies or the broadening of existing successful strategies toward facilitating the goals of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act.
(Sec. 21) Amends the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 to: (1) include core science and mathematics research within the National Advanced Scientific and Technical Education Program; and (2) require articulation partnerships to include providing students with research experiences at bachelor degree granting institutions participating in such partnerships.
Requires a report from the Director to specified congressional committees on results of NSF efforts conducted under such Act.
(Sec. 22) Requires a report from the Board to specified congressional committees addressing and examining NSF budgetary and programmatic growth as provided by this Act.
(Sec. 23) Directs NSF and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to jointly establish an Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee for assessing and making recommendations regarding the coordination of astronomy and astrophysics programs of NSF and NASA.
(Sec. 24) Authorizes the Director to establish a new program to award grants to Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and other institutions serving a substantial number of minority students to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology.
(Sec. 25) Requires the Director to enter into an agreement with NAS to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the source of discrepancies in Federal reports on obligations and actual expenditures of Federal research and development spending. Requires the Director to submit study results to specified congressional committees.
(Sec. 26) Authorizes the Director to accept planning proposals from applicants who are within .075 percentage points of the current eligibility level for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
[107th Congress Public Law 368]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
<DOC>
[DOCID: f:publ368.107]
[[Page 3033]]
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2002
[[Page 116 STAT. 3034]]
Public Law 107-368
107th Congress
An Act
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and
2007 for the National Science Foundation, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 19, 2002 - [H.R. 4664]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress <<NOTE: National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002. 42 USC 1861 note.>> assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002''.
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n note.>> FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The National Science Foundation has made major
contributions for more than 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 important
functions 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 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.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3035]]
(7) Commercial application of the results of Federal
investment in basic and computing science is consistent with
longstanding United States technology transfer policy and is a
critical national priority, particularly with regard to
cybersecurity and other homeland security applications, because
of the urgent needs of commercial, academic, and individual
users as well as the Federal and State Governments.
SEC. 3. 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 increasing investment in
strategic areas;
(B) balancing the Nation's research portfolio among
the life sciences, mathematics, the physical sciences,
computer and information science, geoscience,
engineering, and social, behavioral, and economic
sciences, all of which 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) promoting access to information technology for
all students;
(C) raising postsecondary enrollment rates in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
disciplines for individuals identified in section 33 or
34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b);
(D) increasing access to higher education in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology fields
for students from low-income households; and
(E) expanding science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology training opportunities at institutions of
higher education.
(3) To strengthen innovation by expanding the focus of
competitiveness and innovation policy at the regional and local
level.
SEC. 4. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n note.>> DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Academic unit.--The term ``academic unit'' means a
department, division, institute, school, college, or other
subcomponent of an institution of higher education.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3036]]
(2) 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).
(3) Community college.--The term ``community college'' has
the meaning given such term in section 3301(3) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7011(3)).
(4) 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).
(5) Elementary school.--The term ``elementary school'' has
the meaning given that term by section 9101(18) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(18)).
(6) Eligible nonprofit organization.--The term ``eligible
nonprofit organization'' means a nonprofit research institute,
or a nonprofit professional association, with demonstrated
experience and effectiveness in mathematics or science education
as determined by the Director.
(7) 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).
(8) High-need local educational agency.--The term ``high-
need local educational agency'' means a local educational agency
that meets one or more of the following criteria:
(A) It has at least one school in which 50 percent
or more of the enrolled students are eligible for
participation in the free and reduced price lunch
program established by the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
(B) It has at least one school in which--
(i) more than 34 percent of the academic
classroom teachers at the secondary level (across
all academic subjects) do not have an
undergraduate degree with a major or minor in, or
a graduate degree in, the academic field in which
they teach the largest percentage of their
classes; or
(ii) more than 34 percent of the teachers in
two of the academic departments do not have an
undergraduate degree with a major or minor in, or
a graduate degree in, the academic field in which
they teach the largest percentage of their
classes.
(C) It has at least one school whose teacher
attrition rate has been 15 percent or more over the last
three school years.
(9) 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)).
(10) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given such term by section 9101(26) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(26)).
(11) Master teacher.--The term ``master teacher'' means a
mathematics or science teacher who works to improve the
[[Page 116 STAT. 3037]]
instruction of mathematics or science in kindergarten through
grade 12 through--
(A) participating in the development or revision of
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology
curricula;
(B) serving as a mentor to mathematics or science
teachers;
(C) coordinating and assisting teachers in the use
of hands-on inquiry materials, equipment, and supplies,
and when appropriate, supervising acquisition and repair
of such materials;
(D) providing in-classroom teaching assistance to
mathematics or science teachers; and
(E) providing professional development, including
for the purposes of training other master teachers, to
mathematics and science teachers.
(12) 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.
(13) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has
the meaning given that term by section 9101(38) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(38)).
(14) State.--Except with respect to the Experimental Program
to Stimulate Competitive Research, the term ``State'' means one
of the several States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any
other territory or possession of the United States.
(15) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational
agency'' has the meaning given such term by section 9101(41) of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(41)).
(16) United states.--The term ``United States'' means the
several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other
territory or possession of the United States.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Fiscal Year 2003.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Foundation $5,536,390,000 for fiscal year 2003.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $4,155,690,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities, of which
$704,000,000 shall be for information technology
research described in paragraph (1) of section 8 and
$301,000,000 shall be for nanoscale science and
engineering described in paragraph (2) of section 8;
(B) $1,006,250,000 shall be made available for
education and human resources, of which--
(i) $200,000,000 shall be for mathematics and
science education partnerships described in
section 9;
[[Page 116 STAT. 3038]]
(ii) $20,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10; and
(iii) $25,000,000 shall be for the science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology talent
expansion program described in paragraph (7) of
section 8;
(C) $172,050,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $191,200,000 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses;
(E) $3,500,000 shall be made available for the
Office of the National Science Board, including salaries
and compensation for members of the Board and staff
appointed under section 4 of the National Science
Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and
training costs for members of the Board and such staff,
general and Board operating expenses, representational
expenses for the Board, honorary awards made by the
Board, Board reports (other than the report entitled
``Science and Engineering Indicators''), and contracts;
and
(F) $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 Foundation $6,390,832,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $4,799,822,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities, of which
$774,000,000 shall be for information technology
research described in paragraph (1) of section 8 and
$350,000,000 shall be for nanoscale science and
engineering described in paragraph (2) of section 8;
(B) $1,157,188,000 shall be made available for
education and human resources, of which--
(i) $300,000,000 shall be for mathematics and
science education partnerships described in
section 9;
(ii) $20,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10; and
(iii) $30,000,000 shall be for the science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology talent
expansion program described in paragraph (7) of
section 8;
(C) $211,182,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $210,320,000 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses;
(E) $3,850,000 shall be made available for the
Office of the National Science Board for the purposes
described in subsection (a)(2)(E); and
(F) $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 Foundation $7,378,343,000 for fiscal year 2005.
(2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under
paragraph (1)--
(A) $5,543,794,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
[[Page 116 STAT. 3039]]
(B) $1,330,766,000 shall be made available to carry
out education and human resources, of which--
(i) $400,000,000 shall be for mathematics and
science education partnerships described in
section 9;
(ii) $20,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10; and
(iii) $35,000,000 shall be for the science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology talent
expansion program described in paragraph (7) of
section 8;
(C) $258,879,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $231,337,000 shall be made available for
salaries and expenses;
(E) $4,250,000 shall be made available for the
Office of the National Science Board for the purposes
described in subsection (a)(2)(E); and
(F) $9,317,000 shall be made available for the
Office of Inspector General.
(d) Fiscal Year 2006.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Foundation $8,519,776,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(e) Fiscal Year 2007.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Foundation $9,839,262,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(f) Contingent Authorization.--
(1) In general.--Funds are authorized to be appropriated
under subsections (d) and (e), contingent on a determination by
Congress that the Foundation has made successful progress toward
meeting management goals consisting of--
(A) strategic management of human capital;
(B) competitive sourcing;
(C) improved financial performance;
(D) expanded electronic government; and
(E) budget and performance integration.
(2) Consideration.--In making that determination, Congress
shall take into consideration whether or not the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget has certified that the
Foundation has, overall, made successful progress toward meeting
those goals.
SEC. 6. OBLIGATION OF MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
CONSTRUCTION FUNDS.
(a) Fiscal Year 2003.--None of the funds authorized under section
5(a)(2)(C) may be obligated until 30 days after the first report
required under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
(b) Fiscal Year 2004.--None of the funds authorized under section
5(b)(2)(C) may be obligated until 30 days after the report required by
June 15, 2003, under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
(c) Fiscal Year 2005.--None of the funds authorized under section
5(c)(2)(C) may be obligated until 30 days after the report required by
June 15, 2004, under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
(d) Fiscal Year 2006.--None of the funds authorized under section
5(d) may be obligated for major research equipment and facilities
construction until 30 days after the report required by June 15, 2005,
under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3040]]
(e) Fiscal Year 2007.--None of the funds authorized under section
5(e) may be obligated for major research equipment and facilities
construction until 30 days after the report required by June 15, 2006,
under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
SEC. 7. <<NOTE: Deadline.>> ANNUAL PLAN FOR ALLOCATION OF FUNDING.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of legislation
providing for the annual appropriation of funds for the Foundation, the
Director shall submit to the Committee on Science and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate, a plan for the allocation of funds authorized by this Act
for the corresponding fiscal year. The portion of the plan pertaining to
Research and Related Activities shall include a description of how the
allocation of funding--
(1) will affect the average size and duration of research
grants supported by the Foundation by field of science,
mathematics, and engineering;
(2) will affect trends in research support for major fields
and subfields of science, mathematics, and engineering,
including for emerging multidisciplinary research areas; and
(3) is designed to achieve an appropriate balance among
major fields and subfields of science, mathematics, and
engineering.
SEC. 8. SPECIFIC PROGRAM AUTHORIZATIONS.
From amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 5, the
Director shall carry out the Foundation's research and education
programs, including the following initiatives in accordance with this
section:
(1) Information technology.--An information technology
research program to support competitive, merit-reviewed
proposals for research, education, and infrastructure support in
areas related to cybersecurity, terascale computing systems,
software, networking, scalability, communications, data
management, and remote sensing and geospatial information
technologies.
(2) Nanoscale science and engineering.--A nanoscale science
and engineering research and education program to support
competitive, merit-reviewed proposals that emphasize--
(A) research aimed at discovering novel phenomena,
processes, materials, and tools that address grand
challenges in materials, electronics, optoelectronics
and magnetics, manufacturing, the environment, and
health care; and
(B) supporting new research and 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) A plant genome research
program to support competitive, merit-reviewed proposals--
(i) that advance the understanding of the structure,
organization, and function of plant genomes; and
[[Page 116 STAT. 3041]]
(ii) 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.
(B) Regional plant genome and gene expression research
centers to conduct research and dissemination activities that
may include--
(i) basic plant genomics research and genomics
applications, including those related to cultivation of
crops in extreme environments and to cultivation of
crops with reduced reliance on fertilizer, herbicides,
and pesticides;
(ii) basic research that will contribute to the
development or use of innovative plant-derived products;
(iii) basic research on alternative uses for plants
and plant materials, including the use of plants as
renewable feedstock for alternative energy production
and nonpetroleum-based industrial chemicals and
precursors; and
(iv) basic research and dissemination of information
on the ecological and other consequences of genetically
engineered plants.
Competitive, merit-based awards for centers under this
subparagraph shall be to consortia of institutions of higher
education or nonprofit organizations. The Director shall, to the
extent practicable, ensure that research centers established
under this subparagraph collectively examine as many different
agricultural environments as possible, enhance the excellence of
existing Foundation programs, and focus on plants of economic
importance.
(C) Research partnerships to focus on--
(i) basic genomic research on crops grown in the
developing world;
(ii) basic plant genome research that will advance
and expedite the development of improved cultivars,
including those that are pest-resistant, produce
increased yield, reduce the need for fertilizers,
herbicides, or pesticides, or have increased tolerance
to stress;
(iii) basic research that could lead to the
development of technologies to produce pharmaceutical
compounds such as vaccines and medications in plants
that can be grown in the developing world; and
(iv) research on the impact of plant biotechnology
on the social, political, economic, health, and
environmental conditions in countries in the developing
world.
Competitive, merit-based awards for partnerships under this
subparagraph shall be to institutions of higher education,
nonprofit organizations, or consortia of such entities that
enter into a partnership that shall include one or more research
institutions in one or more developing nations, and that may
also include for-profit companies involved in plant
biotechnology. The Director, by means of outreach, shall
encourage inclusion of historically Black colleges and
universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled
colleges and universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions,
and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions in consortia that enter
into such partnerships.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3042]]
(4) Innovation partnerships.--An innovation partnerships
program to support competitive, merit-reviewed proposals that
seek to stimulate innovation at the regional level through new
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 education partnerships.--The
mathematics and science education partnerships program described
in section 9.
(6) Robert noyce scholarship program.--The Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10.
(7) Science, mathematics, engineering, and technology talent
expansion program.--(A) A program of competitive, merit-based,
multi-year grants for eligible applicants to increase the number
of students studying toward and completing associate's or
bachelor's degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology, particularly in fields that have faced declining
enrollment in recent years.
(B) In selecting projects under this paragraph, the Director
shall strive to increase the number of students studying toward
and completing baccalaureate degrees, concentrations, or
certificates in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology
who are individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a
or 1885b).
(C) 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;
(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.
(D)(i) In order to receive a grant under this paragraph, an
eligible applicant shall establish targets to increase the
number of students studying toward and completing associate's or
bachelor's degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology.
(ii) A grant under this paragraph shall be awarded for a
period of 5 years, with the final 2 years of funding contingent
on the Director's determination that satisfactory progress has
been made by the grantee toward meeting the targets established
under clause (i).
(iii) In the case of community colleges, a student who
transfers to a baccalaureate program, or receives a certificate
under an established certificate program, in science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology shall be counted toward
meeting a target established under clause (i).
(E) For each grant awarded under this paragraph to an
institution of higher education, at least 1 principal
investigator
[[Page 116 STAT. 3043]]
shall be in a position of administrative leadership at the
institution of higher education, and at least 1 principal
investigator shall be a faculty member from an academic
department included in the work of the project. For each grant
awarded to a consortium or partnership, at each institution of
higher education participating in the consortium or partnership,
at least 1 of the individuals responsible for carrying out
activities authorized under this paragraph at that institution
shall be in a position of administrative leadership at the
institution, and at least 1 shall be a faculty member from an
academic department included in the work of the project at that
institution.
(F) In this paragraph, the term ``eligible applicant''
means--
(i) an institution of higher education;
(ii) a consortium of institutions of higher
education; or
(iii) a partnership between--
(I) an institution of higher education or a
consortium of such institutions; and
(II) a nonprofit organization, a State or
local government, or a private company, with
demonstrated experience and effectiveness in
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology
education.
(8) Secondary School Systemic Initiative.--A program of
competitive, merit-based grants for State educational agencies
or local educational agencies 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 student academic
achievement standards, reduce the need for basic skill training
by employers, and heighten college completion rates through
activities, such as--
(A) systemic alignment of secondary school curricula
and higher education freshman placement requirements;
(B) development of materials and curricula that
support small, theme-oriented schools and learning
communities;
(C) implementation of enriched mathematics and
science curricula for all secondary school students;
(D) strengthened teacher training in mathematics,
science, and reading as it relates to technical and
specialized texts;
(E) laboratory improvement and provision of
instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to
enhance the quality of mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology instruction; or
(F) other secondary school systemic initiatives that
enable grantees to leverage private sector funding for
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology
scholarships.
In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Director shall give
priority to agencies that serve high poverty communities.
(9) Experimental program to stimulate competitive
research.--The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research, established under section 113 of the National
[[Page 116 STAT. 3044]]
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g),
that is designed to enhance--
(A) research in mathematics, science, and
engineering throughout the States eligible to
participate in the program and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico;
(B) research infrastructure in the States eligible
to participate in the program and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico; and
(C) the geographic distribution of Federal research
and development support.
(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.
(11) Astronomical research and instrumentation.--An
astronomical research program to support competitive, merit-
reviewed proposals that--
(A) will advance understanding of--
(i) the origins and characteristics of
planets, the Sun, other stars, the Milky Way
Galaxy, and extragalactic objects (such as
clusters of galaxies and quasars); and
(ii) the structure and origin of the universe;
and
(B) support related activities such as developing
advanced technologies and instrumentation, funding
undergraduate and graduate students, and satisfying
other instrumentation and research needs.
SEC. 9. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION <<NOTE: 42 USC
1862n.>> PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--(A) The Director shall carry out a program
to award grants to institutions of higher education or eligible
nonprofit organizations (or consortia of such institutions or
organizations) to establish mathematics and science education
partnership programs to improve elementary and secondary
mathematics and science instruction.
(B) Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(2) Partnerships.--(A) In order to be eligible to receive a
grant under this subsection, an institution of higher education
or eligible nonprofit organization (or consortium of such
institutions or organizations) shall enter into a partnership
with one or more local educational agencies that may also
include a State educational agency or one or more businesses.
(B) A participating institution of higher education shall
include mathematics, science, or engineering departments in
[[Page 116 STAT. 3045]]
the programs carried out through a partnership under this
paragraph.
(3) Uses of funds.--Grants awarded under this subsection
shall be used for activities that draw upon the expertise of the
partners to improve elementary or secondary education in
mathematics or science and that are consistent with State
mathematics and science student academic achievement standards,
including--
(A) recruiting and preparing students for careers in
elementary or secondary mathematics or science
education;
(B) offering professional development programs,
including summer or academic year institutes or
workshops, designed to strengthen the capabilities of
mathematics and science teachers;
(C) offering innovative preservice and inservice
programs that instruct teachers on using technology more
effectively in teaching mathematics and science,
including programs that recruit and train undergraduate
and graduate students to provide technical support to
teachers;
(D) developing distance learning programs for
teachers or students, including developing courses,
curricular materials, and other resources for the in-
service professional development of teachers that are
made available to teachers through the Internet;
(E) developing a cadre of master teachers who will
promote reform and improvement in schools;
(F) offering teacher preparation and certification
programs for professional mathematicians, scientists,
and engineers who wish to begin a career in teaching;
(G) developing tools to evaluate activities
conducted under this subsection;
(H) developing or adapting elementary school and
secondary school mathematics and science curricular
materials that incorporate contemporary research on the
science of learning;
(I) developing initiatives to increase and sustain
the number, quality, and diversity of prekindergarten
through grade 12 teachers of mathematics and science,
especially in underserved areas;
(J) using mathematicians, scientists, and engineers
employed by private businesses to help recruit and train
mathematics and science teachers;
(K) developing and offering mathematics or science
enrichment programs for students, including after-school
and summer programs;
(L) providing research opportunities in business or
academia for students and teachers;
(M) bringing mathematicians, scientists, and
engineers from business and academia into elementary
school and secondary school classrooms; and
(N) any other activities the Director determines
will accomplish the goals of this subsection.
(4) Master teachers.--Activities carried out in accordance
with paragraph (3)(E) shall--
(A) emphasize the training of master teachers who
will improve the instruction of mathematics or science
in kindergarten through grade 12;
[[Page 116 STAT. 3046]]
(B) include training in both content and pedagogy;
and
(C) provide training only to teachers who will be
granted sufficient nonclassroom time to serve as master
teachers, as demonstrated by assurances their employing
school has provided to the Director, in such time and
such manner as the Director may require.
(5) Science enrichment programs for girls.--Activities
carried out in accordance with paragraph (3)(K) and (L) shall
include elementary school and secondary school programs to
encourage the ongoing interest of girls in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology and to prepare girls to pursue
undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology. Funds made available
through awards to partnerships for the purposes of this
paragraph may support programs for--
(A) encouraging girls to pursue studies in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology and to major in
such fields in postsecondary education;
(B) tutoring girls in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology;
(C) providing mentors for girls in person and
through the Internet to support such girls in pursuing
studies in science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology;
(D) educating the parents of girls about the
difficulties faced by girls to maintain an interest and
desire to achieve in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology, and enlisting the help of parents in
overcoming these difficulties; and
(E) acquainting girls with careers in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology and encouraging
girls to plan for careers in such fields.
(6) Research in secondary schools.--Activities carried out
in accordance with paragraph (3)(K) may include support for
research projects performed by students at secondary schools.
Uses of funds made available through awards to partnerships for
purposes of this paragraph may include--
(A) training secondary school mathematics and
science teachers in the design of research projects for
students;
(B) establishing a system for students and teachers
involved in research projects funded under this
subsection to exchange information about their projects
and research results; and
(C) assessing the educational value of the student
research projects by such means as tracking the academic
performance and choice of academic majors of students
conducting research.
(7) Stipends.--Grants awarded under this subsection may be
used to provide stipends for teachers or students participating
in training or research activities that would not be part of
their typical classroom activities.
(b) Selection Process.--
(1) Application.--An institution of higher education or an
eligible nonprofit organization (or a consortium of such
institutions or organizations) seeking funding under subsection
(a) shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the
[[Page 116 STAT. 3047]]
Director may require. The application shall include, at a
minimum--
(A) a description of the partnership and the role
that each member will play in implementing the proposal;
(B) a description of each of the activities to be
carried out, including--
(i) how such activities will be aligned with
State mathematics and science student academic
achievement standards and with other activities
that promote student achievement in mathematics
and science;
(ii) how such activities will be based on a
review of relevant research;
(iii) why such activities are expected to
improve student performance and strengthen the
quality of mathematics and science instruction;
and
(iv) any activities that will encourage the
interest of individuals identified in section 33
or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology
and will help prepare such individuals to pursue
postsecondary studies in these fields;
(C) a description of the number, size, and nature of
any stipends that will be provided to students or
teachers and the reasons such stipends are needed;
(D) a description of how the partnership will serve
as a catalyst for reform of mathematics and science
education programs;
(E) a description of how the partnership will assess
its success;
(F) a description of how the partnership will
collaborate with the State educational agency to ensure
that successful partnership activities may be replicated
throughout the State; and
(G) a description of the manner in which the
partnership will be continued after assistance under
this section ends.
(2) Review of applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(A) the ability of the partnership to carry out
effectively the proposed programs;
(B) the extent to which the members of the
partnership are committed to making the partnership a
central organizational focus;
(C) the degree to which activities carried out by
the partnership are based on relevant research and are
likely to result in increased student achievement;
(D) the degree to which such activities are aligned
with State mathematics and science student academic
achievement standards;
(E) the likelihood that the partnership will
demonstrate activities that can be widely implemented as
part of larger scale reform efforts; and
(F) the extent to which the activities will
encourage the interest of individuals identified in
section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act
[[Page 116 STAT. 3048]]
(42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology and will help prepare such
individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these
fields.
(3) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Director shall--
(A) give priority to applications in which the
partnership includes a high-need local educational
agency or a high-need local educational agency in which
at least one school does not make adequate yearly
progress, as determined pursuant to part A of title I of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and
(B) ensure that, to the extent practicable, a
substantial number of the partnerships funded under this
section include businesses.
(c) Accountability and Dissemination.--
(1) Assessment required.--The Director shall evaluate the
program established under subsection (a). At a minimum, such
evaluation shall--
(A) use a common set of benchmarks and assessment
tools to identify best practices and materials developed
and demonstrated by the partnerships; and
(B) to the extent practicable, compare the
effectiveness of practices and materials developed and
demonstrated by the partnerships authorized under this
section with those of partnerships funded by other State
or Federal agencies.
(2) <<NOTE: Public information.>> Dissemination of
results.--(A) The results of the evaluation required under
paragraph (1) shall be made available to the public and shall be
provided to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
(B) Materials developed under the program established under
subsection (a) that are demonstrated to be effective shall be
made widely available to the public.
(3) Annual meeting.--The Director, in consultation with the
Secretary of Education, shall convene an annual meeting of the
partnerships participating under this section to foster greater
national collaboration.
(4) Report on coordination.--The Director, in consultation
with the Secretary of Education, shall provide an annual report
to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate describing how the
program authorized under this section has been and will be
coordinated with the program authorized under part B of title II
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6601 et seq.). The report under this paragraph shall be
submitted along with the President's annual budget request.
(5) 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
[[Page 116 STAT. 3049]]
in meeting any requirements of this section, including providing
advice from experts on how to develop--
(A) a quality application for a grant; and
(B) quality activities from funds received from a
grant under this section.
SEC. 10. ROBERT NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-1.>> PROGRAM.
(a) Scholarship Program.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program to
award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia
of such institutions) to provide scholarships, stipends, and
programming designed to recruit and train mathematics and
science teachers. Such program shall be known as the ``Robert
Noyce Scholarship Program''.
(2) Merit review.--Grants shall be provided under this
subsection on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(3) Use of grants.--Grants provided under this section shall
be used by institutions of higher education or consortia--
(A) to develop and implement a program to encourage
top college juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics,
science, and engineering at the grantee's institution to
become mathematics and science teachers, through--
(i) administering scholarships in accordance
with subsection (c);
(ii) offering programs to help scholarship
recipients to teach in elementary schools and
secondary schools, including programs that will
result in teacher certification or licensing; and
(iii) offering programs to scholarship
recipients, both before and after they receive
their baccalaureate degree, to enable the
recipients to become better mathematics and
science teachers, to fulfill the service
requirements of this section, and to exchange
ideas with others in their fields; or
(B) to develop and implement a program to encourage
science, mathematics, or engineering professionals to
become mathematics and science teachers, through--
(i) administering stipends in accordance with
subsection (d);
(ii) offering programs to help stipend
recipients obtain teacher certification or
licensing; and
(iii) offering programs to stipend recipients,
both during and after matriculation in the program
for which the stipend is received, to enable
recipients to become better mathematics and
science teachers, to fulfill the service
requirements of this section, and to exchange
ideas with others in their fields.
(b) Selection Process.--
(1) Application.--An institution of higher education or
consortium seeking funding under this section shall submit an
application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require. The
application shall include, at a minimum--
(A) a description of the scholarship or stipend
program that the applicant intends to operate, including
the number of scholarships or the size and number of
stipends the
[[Page 116 STAT. 3050]]
applicant intends to award, and the selection process
that will be used in awarding the scholarships or
stipends;
(B) evidence that the applicant has the capability
to administer the scholarship or stipend program in
accordance with the provisions of this section; and
(C) a description of the programming that will be
offered to scholarship or stipend recipients during and
after their matriculation in the program for which the
scholarship or stipend is received.
(2) Review of applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively
carry out the program;
(B) the extent to which the applicant is committed
to making the program a central organizational focus;
(C) the degree to which the proposed programming
will enable scholarship or stipend recipients to become
successful mathematics and science teachers;
(D) the number and quality of the students that will
be served by the program; and
(E) the ability of the applicant to recruit students
who would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching.
(c) Scholarship Requirements.--
(1) In general.--Scholarships under this section shall be
available only to students who are--
(A) majoring in science, mathematics, or
engineering; and
(B) in the last 2 years of a baccalaureate degree
program.
(2) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive
scholarships primarily on the basis of academic merit, with
consideration given to financial need and to the goal of
promoting the participation of individuals identified in section
33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).
(3) Amount.--The Director shall establish for each year the
amount to be awarded for scholarships under this section for
that year, which shall be not less than $7,500 per year, except
that no individual shall receive for any year more than the cost
of attendance at that individual's institution. Individuals may
receive a maximum of 2 years of scholarship support.
(4) Service obligation.--If an individual receives a
scholarship, that individual shall be required to complete,
within 6 years after graduation from the baccalaureate degree
program for which the scholarship was awarded, 2 years of
service as a mathematics or science teacher for each year a
scholarship was received. Service required under this paragraph
shall be performed in a high-need local educational agency.
(d) Stipends.--
(1) In general.--Stipends under this section shall be
available only to mathematics, science, and engineering
professionals who, while receiving the stipend, are enrolled in
a program to receive certification or licensing to teach.
(2) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to receive
stipends under this section primarily on the basis of academic
merit, with consideration given to financial need and to the
[[Page 116 STAT. 3051]]
goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in
section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).
(3) Duration.--Individuals may receive a maximum of 1 year
of stipend support.
(4) Service obligation.--If an individual receives a stipend
under this section, that individual shall be required to
complete, within 6 years after graduation from the program for
which the stipend was awarded, 2 years of service as a
mathematics or science teacher for each year a stipend was
received. Service required under this paragraph shall be
performed in a high-need local educational agency.
(e) Conditions of Support.--As a condition of acceptance of a
scholarship or stipend under this section, a recipient shall enter into
an agreement with the institution of higher education--
(1) accepting the terms of the scholarship or stipend
pursuant to subsections (c) and (g), or subsection (d);
(2) agreeing to provide the awarding institution of higher
education with annual certification of employment and up-to-date
contact information and to participate in surveys provided by
the institution of higher education as part of an ongoing
assessment program; and
(3) establishing that any scholarship recipient shall be
liable to the United States for any amount that is required to
be repaid in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g).
(f) Collection for Noncompliance.--
(1) Monitoring compliance.--An institution of higher
education (or consortium thereof) receiving a grant under this
section shall, as a condition of participating in the program,
enter into an agreement with the Director to monitor the
compliance of scholarship and stipend recipients with their
respective service requirements.
(2) Collection of repayment.--(A) In the event that a
scholarship recipient is required to repay the scholarship under
subsection (g), the institution shall be responsible for
collecting the repayment amounts.
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any such
repayment shall be returned to the Treasury of the United
States.
(C) A grantee may retain a percentage of any repayment it
collects to defray administrative costs associated with the
collection. The Director shall establish a single, fixed
percentage that will apply to all grantees.
(g) Failure to Complete Service Obligation.--
(1) General rule.--If an individual who has received a
scholarship under this section--
(A) fails to maintain an acceptable level of
academic standing in the educational institution in
which the individual is enrolled, as determined by the
Director;
(B) is dismissed from such educational institution
for disciplinary reasons;
(C) withdraws from the baccalaureate degree program
for which the award was made before the completion of
such program;
(D) declares that the individual does not intend to
fulfill the service obligation under this section; or
[[Page 116 STAT. 3052]]
(E) fails to fulfill the service obligation of the
individual under this section,
such individual shall be liable to the United States as provided
in paragraph (2).
(2) Amount of repayment.--(A) If a circumstance described in
paragraph (1) occurs before the completion of one year of a
service obligation under this section, the United States shall
be entitled to recover from the individual, within one year
after the date of the occurrence of such circumstance, an amount
equal to--
(i) the total amount of awards received by such
individual under this section; plus
(ii) the interest on the amounts of such awards
which would be payable if at the time the awards were
received they were loans bearing interest at the maximum
legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of
the United States,
multiplied by 2.
(B) If a circumstance described in paragraph (1)(D) or (E)
occurs after the completion of one year of a service obligation
under this section, the United States shall be entitled to
recover from the individual, within one year after the date of
the occurrence of such circumstance, an amount equal to the
total amount of awards received by such individual under this
section minus \1/2\ of the amount of the award received per year
for each full year of service completed, plus the interest on
such amounts which would be payable if at the time the amounts
were received they were loans bearing interest at the maximum
legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the
United States.
(3) Exceptions.--The Director may provide for the partial or
total waiver or suspension of any service or payment obligation
by an individual under this section whenever compliance by the
individual with the obligation is impossible or would involve
extreme hardship to the individual, or if enforcement of such
obligation with respect to the individual would be
unconscionable.
(h) Data Collection.--Institutions or consortia receiving grants
under this section shall supply to the Director any relevant statistical
and demographic data on scholarship recipients and stipend recipients
the Director may request, including information on employment required
by subsection (e).
(i) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``cost of attendance'' has the meaning given
such term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1087ll);
(2) the term ``mathematics and science teacher'' means a
mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary
school or secondary school level;
(3) the term ``mathematics, science, or engineering
professional'' means a person who holds a baccalaureate,
masters, or doctoral degree in science, mathematics, or
engineering and is working in that field or a related area;
(4) the term ``scholarship'' means an award under subsection
(c); and
(5) the term ``stipend'' means an award under subsection
(d).
[[Page 116 STAT. 3053]]
SEC. 11. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-2.>> ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS FOR RESEARCH
ON MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE LEARNING AND EDUCATION
IMPROVEMENT.
(a) <<NOTE: Grants.>> Establishment.--
(1) In general.--(A) The Director shall award grants to
institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to
establish multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and
Education Improvement.
(B) Grants shall be awarded under this paragraph on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers shall be to conduct
and evaluate research in cognitive science, education, and
related fields and to develop ways in which the results of such
research can be applied in elementary school and secondary
school classrooms to improve the teaching of mathematics and
science.
(3) Focus.--(A) Each Center shall be focused on a different
challenge faced by elementary school or secondary school
teachers of mathematics and science. In determining the research
focus of the Centers, the Director shall consult with the
National Academy of Sciences and the Secretary of Education and
take into account the extent to which other Federal programs
support research on similar questions.
(B) The proposal solicitation issued by the Director shall
state the focus of each Center and applicants shall apply for
designation as a specific Center.
(C) At least one Center shall focus on developing ways in
which the results of research described in paragraph (2) 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.
(D) To the extent practicable and relevant to its focus,
every Center shall include, as part of its research, work
designed to quantitatively assess and improve the ways that
information technology is used in the teaching of mathematics
and science.
(b) Selection Process.--
(1) Application.--An institution of higher education (or a
consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this
section shall submit an application to the Director at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Director may require. The application shall include, at a
minimum, a description of--
(A) the initial research projects that will be
undertaken by the Center and the process by which new
projects will be identified;
(B) how the Center will work with other research
institutions and schools to broaden the national
research agenda on learning and teaching;
(C) how the Center will promote active collaboration
among physical, biological, and social science
researchers;
(D) how the Center will promote active participation
by elementary and secondary mathematics and science
teachers and administrators; and
[[Page 116 STAT. 3054]]
(E) how the results of the Center's research can be
incorporated into educational practices, and how the
Center will assess the success of those practices.
(2) Review of applications.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively
carry out the research program, including the activities
described in paragraph (1)(E);
(B) the experience of the applicant in conducting
research on the science of teaching and learning and the
capacity of the applicant to foster new
multidisciplinary collaborations;
(C) the capacity of the applicant to attract
elementary school and secondary school teachers from a
diverse array of schools, and with diverse professional
experiences, for participation in Center activities; and
(D) 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.
(3) Awards.--The Director shall ensure, to the extent
practicable, that the Centers funded under this section conduct
research and develop educational practices designed to improve
the educational performance of a broad range of students,
including individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a
or 1885b).
(c) Annual Conference.--The Director shall convene an annual meeting
of the Centers to foster collaboration among the Centers and to further
disseminate the results of the Centers' activities.
(d) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with the Secretary
of Education in--
(1) disseminating the results of the research conducted
pursuant to grants awarded under this section to elementary
school teachers and secondary school teachers; and
(2) providing programming, guidance, and support to ensure
that such teachers--
(A) understand the implications of the research
disseminated under paragraph (1) for classroom practice;
and
(B) can use the research to improve such teachers'
performance in the classroom.
SEC. 12. DUPLICATION OF <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-3.>> 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 duplicative program being carried out by
the Foundation or merge the 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.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3055]]
(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) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> 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 the Committee on Science and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
SEC. 13. MAJOR RESEARCH <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862b
note. Deadline. Reports.>> 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 Science of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate. 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) a description of 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,
since the inception of the major research instrumentation
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) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> National Academy of Sciences Assessment on
Interdisciplinary Research and Advanced Instrumentation Centers.--
(1) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> Assessment.--Not later than 3
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director
shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of
Sciences to assess the need for an interagency program to
establish and support fully equipped, state-of-the-art
university-based centers for interdisciplinary research and
advanced instrumentation development.
(2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 15 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the assessment
conducted by the National Academy of Sciences together with
[[Page 116 STAT. 3056]]
the Foundation's reaction to the assessment authorized under
paragraph (1).
SEC. 14. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-4.>> MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND
FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION PLAN.
(a) Prioritization of Proposed Major Research Equipment and
Facilities Construction.--
(1) Development of priorities.--(A) 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) 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) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> 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 the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate 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.''.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3057]]
(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 be conducted using 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 planning, development, procurement,
construction, operations and support, and shut-down costs,
without regard to funding source and without regard to what
entity manages the project or facility involved.''.
(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) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> 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.
(e) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> National Academy of Sciences Study on Major
Research Equipment and Facilities Construction.--
[[Page 116 STAT. 3058]]
(1) Study.--Not later than 3 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to perform a
study on setting priorities for a diverse array of disciplinary
and interdisciplinary Foundation-sponsored large research
facility projects.
(2) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 15 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
transmit to the Committee on Science and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the study conducted
by the National Academy of Sciences together with the
Foundation's reaction to the study authorized under paragraph
(1).
SEC. 15. ADMINISTRATIVE <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-5.>> AMENDMENTS.
(a) Board Meetings.--
(1) In general.--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 delivery of notice and a definition of a
quorum, which in no case shall be less than one-half plus one of
the confirmed members of the Board.''.
(2) Open meetings.--The Board and all of its committees,
subcommittees, and task forces (and any other entity consisting
of members of the Board and reporting to the Board) shall be
subject to section 552b of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Compliance audit.--The Inspector General of the
Foundation shall conduct an annual audit of the compliance by
the Board with the requirements described in paragraph (2). The
audit shall examine the proposed and actual content of closed
meetings and determine whether the closure of the meetings was
consistent with section 552b of title 5, United States Code.
(4) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Report.--Not later than February 15
of each year, the Inspector General of the Foundation shall
transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the audit required
under paragraph (3) along with recommendations for corrective
actions that need to be taken to achieve fuller compliance with
the requirements described in paragraph (2), and recommendations
on how to ensure public access to the Board's deliberations.
(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)(1)(A) 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, academic, or
other nonprofit institution when the institution has received a pledge
of confidentiality from the Foundation, shall not
[[Page 116 STAT. 3059]]
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) Information that has not been transformed into formats
described in subparagraph (A) may be used only for statistical or
research purposes.
``(C) The identities of individuals, organizations, and institutions
supplying information described in subparagraph (A) may not be disclosed
to the public.
``(2) 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 information collected pursuant to section 3(a)(5) or
(6) that allows for the identification of the supplier. 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 data that allows for such identification
relating to an individual, an industrial or commercial
organization, or an academic, educational, or other nonprofit
institution that has received a pledge of confidentiality from
the Foundation; or
``(C) knowingly and willfully request or obtain any
nondisclosable information described in paragraph (1) from the
Foundation under false pretenses.
``(3) 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.''.
(d) Scholarship Eligibility.--The Director shall not exclude part-
time students from eligibility for scholarships under the Computer
Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship program.
SEC. 16. 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''.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3060]]
SEC. 17. UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-6.>> REFORM.
(a) <<NOTE: Grants.>> In General.--The Director shall award grants,
on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to institutions of higher
education to expand previously implemented reforms of undergraduate
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology education that have
been demonstrated to have been successful in increasing the number and
quality of students studying toward and completing associate's or
baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology.
(b) Uses of Funds.--Activities supported by grants under this
section may include--
(1) expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single
course or group of courses to achieve reform within an entire
academic unit;
(2) expansion of successful reform efforts beyond a single
academic unit to other science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology academic units within an institution;
(3) creation of multidisciplinary courses or programs that
formalize collaborations for the purpose of improved student
instruction and research in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology;
(4) expansion of undergraduate research opportunities beyond
a particular laboratory, course, or academic unit to engage
multiple academic units in providing multidisciplinary research
opportunities for undergraduate students;
(5) expansion of innovative tutoring or mentoring programs
proven to enhance student recruitment or persistence to degree
completion in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology;
(6) improvement of undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology education for nonmajors, including
education majors; and
(7) implementation of technology-driven reform efforts,
including the installation of technology to facilitate such
reform, that directly impact undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology instruction or research experiences.
(c) Selection Process.--
(1) Applications.--An institution of higher education
seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application
to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Director may require. The application
shall include, at a minimum--
(A) a description of the proposed reform effort;
(B) a description of the previously implemented
reform effort that will serve as the basis for the
proposed reform effort and evidence of success of that
previous effort, including data on student recruitment,
persistence to degree completion, and academic
achievement;
(C) evidence of active participation in the proposed
project by individuals who were central to the success
of the previously implemented reform effort; and
(D) evidence of institutional support for, and
commitment to, the proposed reform effort, including a
description of existing or planned institutional
policies and practices regarding faculty hiring,
promotion, tenure, and teaching assignment that reward
faculty contributions to undergraduate education equal
to, or greater than, scholarly scientific research.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3061]]
(2) Review of applications.--In evaluating applications
submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider at a
minimum--
(A) the evidence of past success in implementing
undergraduate education reform and the likelihood of
success in undertaking the proposed expanded effort;
(B) the extent to which the faculty, staff, and
administrators of the institution are committed to
making the proposed institutional reform a priority of
the participating academic unit;
(C) the degree to which the proposed reform will
contribute to change in institutional culture and policy
such that a greater value is placed on faculty
engagement in undergraduate education, as evidenced
through promotion and tenure policies; and
(D) the likelihood that the institution will sustain
or expand the reform beyond the period of the grant.
(3) Grant distribution.--The Director shall ensure, to the
extent practicable, that grants awarded under this section are
made to a variety of types of institutions of higher education.
SEC. 18. <<NOTE: Deadlines. 42 USC 1862n-7.>> 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 Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 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) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> Faculty.--Not later than 3 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to assess gender
differences in the careers of science and engineering faculty. This
study shall build on the Academy's work on gender differences in the
carriers of doctoral scientists and engineers and examine issues such as
faculty hiring, promotion, tenure, and allocation of resources including
laboratory space. Upon completion, the results of this study shall be
transmitted to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives,
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate.
(c) Grant Funding.--Not later than 3 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an agreement with
an appropriate party to assess gender differences in the distribution of
external Federal research and development funding. This study shall
examine differences in amounts requested and awarded, by gender, in
major Federal external grant programs. Upon completion, the results of
this study shall be transmitted to the Committee on Science of the House
of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the
[[Page 116 STAT. 3062]]
Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate.
(d) Study of Broadband Network Access for Schools and Libraries.--
(1) Report to congress.--The Director shall conduct a study
of the issues described in paragraph (3), and not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, transmit to
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate a report including recommendations to
address those issues. Such report shall be updated annually for
4 additional years.
(2) Consultation.--In preparing the reports under paragraph
(1), the Director shall consult with Federal agencies and
educational entities as the Director considers appropriate.
(3) Issues to be addressed.--The reports shall--
(A) identify the availability of high-speed, large
bandwidth capacity access to different demographic
groups served by elementary schools, secondary schools,
and libraries in the United States;
(B) identify how the provision of high-speed, large
bandwidth capacity access to the Internet to such
schools and libraries can be effectively utilized within
each school and library;
(C) consider the effect that specific or regional
circumstances may have on the ability of such
institutions to acquire high-speed, large bandwidth
capacity access to achieve universal connectivity as an
effective tool in the education process; and
(D) include options and recommendations to address
the challenges and issues identified in the reports.
(e) Minority-Serving Institution Funding.--
(1) Annual reporting required.--The Director shall submit an
annual report, along with the President's annual budget request,
to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate on the amount of funding awarded by the
Foundation to minority-serving institutions, including funding
received as members of consortia. The report shall include
information on such funding to minority-serving institutions--
(A) expressed as a percentage of funding to all
institutions of higher education for each appropriations
account within the Foundation's budget; and
(B) for the preceding 10 years.
(2) Report on ways to improve funding.--Within one year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall
submit to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on
recommendations on how the Foundation can improve funding to
minority-serving institutions.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3063]]
SEC. 19. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-8.>> EVALUATIONS.
(a) Education.--
(1) In general.--The Director, through the Research,
Evaluation and Communication Division of the Education and Human
Resources Directorate of the Foundation, shall evaluate the
effectiveness of all undergraduate science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology education activities supported by the
Foundation in increasing the number and quality of students,
including individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a
or 1885b) studying toward and completing associate's or
baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology. In conducting the evaluation, the Director shall
consider information on--
(A) the number of students enrolled in undergraduate
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology
programs;
(B) student academic achievement, including
quantifiable measurements of students' mastery of
content and skills;
(C) persistence to degree completion, including
students who transfer from science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology programs to programs in
other academic disciplines; and
(D) placement during the first year after degree
completion in post-graduate education or career
pathways.
(2) Assessment benchmarks and tools.--The Director, through
the Research, Evaluation and Communication Division of the
Education and Human Resources Directorate of the Foundation,
shall establish a common set of assessment benchmarks and tools,
and shall enable every Foundation-sponsored project to
incorporate the use of these benchmarks and tools in their
project-based assessment activities.
(3) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> Reports to congress.--Not later
than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
once every 3 years thereafter, the Director shall transmit to
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate a report containing the results of
evaluations under paragraph (1).
(b) Awards.--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.
(c) Dissemination.--The Director shall--
(1) provide for the dissemination of the results of the
evaluations conducted pursuant to this section to the public;
and
(2) provide notice to the public that such evaluations are
available.
SEC. 20. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1885c note.>> 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
[[Page 116 STAT. 3064]]
this Act, the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and
Engineering shall include--
(1) a summary of 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, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science,
mathematics, and engineering fields, including activities in
support of minority-serving institutions; and
(3) an assessment of the trends in participation in
Foundation activities, and an assessment of the success of
Foundation policies and activities, along with proposals for new
strategies or the broadening of existing successful strategies
toward facilitating the goals of that Act.
SEC. 21. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.
(a) Core Science and Mathematics Courses.--Section 3(a) of the
Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(a)) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``, and to improve the quality of their
core education courses in science and mathematics'' after
``education in advanced-technology fields'';
(2) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``and in core science and
mathematics courses'' after ``advanced-technology fields''; and
(3) in paragraph (2) by striking ``in advanced-technology
fields'' and inserting ``who provide instruction in science,
mathematics, and advanced-technology fields''.
(b) Articulation Partnerships.--Section 3(c)(1)(B) of the Scientific
and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i(c)(1)(B)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i);
(2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding after clause (ii) the following new clauses:
``(iii) provide students with research experiences
at bachelor's-degree-granting institutions participating
in the partnership, including stipend support for
students participating in summer programs; and
``(iv) provide faculty mentors for students
participating in activities under clause (iii),
including summer salary support for faculty mentors.''.
(c) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> National Science Foundation Report.--Within
6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
transmit a report to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate on--
(1) efforts by the Foundation and awardees under the program
carried out under section 3 of the Scientific and Advanced-
Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862i) to disseminate
information about the results of projects;
(2) the effectiveness of national centers of scientific and
technical education established under section 3(b) of the
Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C.
1862i(b)) in serving as national and regional clearinghouses of
information and models for best practices in undergraduate
science, mathematics, and technology education; and
[[Page 116 STAT. 3065]]
(3) efforts to satisfy the requirement of section 3(f)(4) of
the Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C.
1862i(f)(4)).
SEC. 22. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n note.>> REPORT ON FOUNDATION BUDGETARY AND
PROGRAMMATIC EXPANSION.
The Board shall prepare a report to address and examine the
Foundation's budgetary and programmatic growth provided for by this
Act. <<NOTE: Deadline.>> The report shall be submitted to the Committee
on Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate within one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act and shall include--
(1) recommendations on how the increased funding should be
utilized;
(2) an examination of the projected impact that the
budgetary increases will have on the Nation's scientific and
technological workforce;
(3) a description of new or expanded programs that will
enable institutions of higher education to expand their
participation in Foundation-funded activities;
(4) an estimate of the national scientific and technological
research infrastructure needed to adequately support the
Foundation's increased funding and additional programs; and
(5) a description of the impact the budgetary increases
provided under this Act will have on the size and duration of
grants awarded by the Foundation.
SEC. 23. ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS ADVISORY <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-
9.>> COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Foundation and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration shall jointly establish an Astronomy and
Astrophysics Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the
``Advisory Committee'').
(b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
(1) assess, and make recommendations regarding, the
coordination of astronomy and astrophysics programs of the
Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(2) assess, and make recommendations regarding, the status
of the activities of the Foundation and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration as they relate to the recommendations
contained in the National Research Council's 2001 report
entitled ``Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium'',
and the recommendations contained in subsequent National
Research Council reports of a similar nature; and
(3) <<NOTE: Deadline. Report.>> not later than March 15 of
each year, transmit a report to the Director, the Administrator
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate on the Advisory Committee's findings and
recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2).
(c) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of 13 members,
none of whom shall be a Federal employee, including--
(1) 5 members selected by the Director;
[[Page 116 STAT. 3066]]
(2) 5 members selected by the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
(3) 3 members selected by the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy.
(d) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Selection Process.--Initial selections under
subsection (c) shall be made within 3 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as
provided in subsection (c).
(e) Chairperson.--The Advisory Committee shall select a chairperson
from among its members.
(f) Coordination.--The Advisory Committee shall coordinate with the
advisory bodies of other Federal agencies, such as the Department of
Energy, which may engage in related research activities.
(g) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Committee shall serve
without compensation, but shall receive travel expenses, including per
diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703
of title 5, United States Code.
(h) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall convene, in person or by
electronic means, at least 4 times a year.
(i) Quorum.--A majority of the members serving on the Advisory
Committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting the
business of the Advisory Committee.
(j) Duration.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.
SEC. 24. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862n-10.>> MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Director is authorized to establish a new
program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to
Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions,
Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and other institutions of higher
education serving a substantial number of minority students to enhance
the quality of undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering
education at such institutions and to increase the retention and
graduation rates of students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate
degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology.
(b) Program Components.--Grants awarded under this section shall
support--
(1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in science,
mathematics, and engineering;
(2) faculty development;
(3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in
research; and
(4) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as
determined by the Director.
(c) Program Coordination.--This program shall be coordinated with
and in addition to the ongoing Historically Black Colleges and
Universities Undergraduate Program and the Tribal Colleges and
Universities Program.
(d) Instrumentation.--Funding for instrumentation is an allowed use
of grants awarded under this section and under the ongoing Historically
Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program and the Tribal
Colleges and Universities Program.
[[Page 116 STAT. 3067]]
SEC. 25. <<NOTE: 42 USC 1864 note.>> STUDY ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
FUNDING DATA DISCREPANCIES.
(a) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> Study.--The Director, in consultation with
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of
other Federal agencies, shall enter into agreement with the National
Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the
source of discrepancies in Federal reports on obligations and actual
expenditures of Federal research and development funding.
(b) Contents.--The study shall--
(1) examine the relevance and accuracy of reporting
classifications and definitions used in the reports described in
subsection (a);
(2) examine whether the classifications and definitions are
used consistently across Federal agencies for data gathering;
(3) examine whether and how Federal agencies use reports
described in subsection (a), and describe any other sources of
similar data used by those agencies;
(4) recommend alternatives for modifications to the current
reporting process and system that would--
(A) accommodate emerging fields of science and
changing practices in the conduct of research and
development;
(B) minimize, to the extent possible, the burden
imposed on the reporters of these data;
(C) increase the consistency of application of the
system across the Federal agencies including the Office
of Management and Budget and the Foundation;
(D) encourage the use of new technologies to
increase accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of the
reported data between the agencies and the research
performers; and
(E) overcome systemic shortfalls; and
(5) recommend an implementation timeline for the
modifications recommended under paragraph (4), and recommend
specific responsibilities for the program and budget offices in
the agencies, taking into consideration required changes to the
current computer systems and processes used by the agencies.
(c) <<NOTE: Reports. Deadline.>> Submission.--The Director shall
submit a report on the results of the study to the Committee on Science
of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate within one year after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(d) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Implementation.--Within 6 months after the
completion of the study required by subsection (a), the Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on
Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a plan for implementation
of the recommendations of the study.
SEC. 26. PLANNING <<NOTE: 42 USC 1862q note.>> GRANTS.
The Director is authorized to accept planning proposals from
applicants who are within .075 percentage points of the current
eligibility level for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research. Such proposals shall be reviewed by the Foundation
[[Page 116 STAT. 3068]]
to determine their merit for support under the Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research or any other appropriate program.
Approved December 19, 2002.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4664 (S. 2817):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 107-488 (Comm. on Science).
SENATE REPORTS: Nos. 107-291 accompanying S. 2817 (Comm. on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pension) and 107-317 (Comm. on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 148 (2002):
June 5, considered and passed House.
Nov. 14, considered and passed Senate, amended. House
concurred in Senate amendments.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 38 (2002):
Dec. 19, Presidential statement.
<all>
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 397 - 25 (Roll no. 212).
Roll Call #212 (House)On passage Passed by recorded vote: 397 - 25 (Roll no. 212).
Roll Call #212 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11155-11159)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Enacted as Public Law 107-368
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Mr. Armey asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendments.
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR 11/14/2002 H9009-9018; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR 11/14/2002 H9009-9018)
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR 11/14/2002 H9009-9018; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR 11/14/2002 H9009-9018)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 107-368.
Became Public Law No: 107-368.