Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Education and Research Act of 2006 - PACE-Education Act - Establishes programs to provide additional mathematics and science teachers in K-12 elementary and secondary education (teachers), including: (1) Department of Education (ED) grants to institutions of higher education (IHE's) for baccalaureate degree programs in mathematics, science, and engineering, with teacher certification, and for master's degree programs in mathematics and science education for teachers; (2) National Science Foundation (NSF) scholarships for recruiting and training new teachers, and fellowships for teachers; (3) ED grants to nonprofit entities to train additional teachers for Advanced Placement (AP), pre-AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), and pre-IB programs; (4) a National Clearinghouse on Mathematics and Science Teaching Materials; (5) Future American-Scientist Scholarships (ED); (6) Department of Energy graduate research fellowships in scientific areas of national need; and (7) NSF early-career research grants for scientists and engineers.
Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy Matters to: (1) coordinate science, mathematics, and engineering education programs; (2) establish a National Coordination Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities; (3) establish guidelines for federal agencies to allocate funds for high-risk, high-payoff research; and (4) award a President's Innovation Award.
Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to award early-career research grants.
Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Department of Commerce to award grants for feasibility studies and plans for science parks, and for revolving loan funds to develop science park infrastructure.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) create a new visa category for doctorate students in mathematics, engineering, technology, or the physical sciences; and (2) exempt from numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants certain aliens who have received such advanced degrees and are working in a related field.
Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to award early-career research grants.
Expresses the sense of Senate on: (1) policies to accelerate deployment of access to broadband Internet; (2) the visa process for foreign students at U.S. IHE's and foreign researchers engaging in scientific research in the United States; (3) patent reform; and (4) exemption of certain uses of technology from treatment as exports.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2198 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2198
To ensure the United States successfully competes in the 21st century
global economy.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 26, 2006
Mr. Domenici (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Alexander, Ms. Mikulski,
Mr. Lugar, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Obama, Mr. Warner, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Bond,
Mrs. Murray, Mr. Burns, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Craig, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs.
Hutchison, Mr. Menendez, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Kerry,
Mr. Smith, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Allen,
Mr. Akaka, Mr. Talent, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Dayton, Mr.
Coleman, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Biden,
Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hagel, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Enzi, Ms.
Collins, Mr. Vitter, and Ms. Landrieu) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure the United States successfully competes in the 21st century
global economy.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting
America's Competitive Edge Through Education and Research Act of 2006''
or the ``PACE-Education Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
TITLE I--10,000 TEACHERS, 10,000,000 MINDS K-12 MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Education
Sec. 111. Definitions.
Chapter 1--Math and Science Teachers
Sec. 121. Baccalaureate degrees in mathematics and science with teacher
certification.
Sec. 122. Master's degrees in mathematics and science education for
teachers.
subchapter a--national science foundation scholarships for mathematics
and science teachers
Sec. 131. Purpose.
Ssubchapter b--national science foundation fellowships for mathematics
and science teachers
Sec. 141. National Science Foundation fellowships for mathematics and
science teachers.
Chapter 3--Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs
Sec. 151. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs.
Chapter 4--National Clearinghouse on Mathematics and Science Teaching
Materials
Sec. 161. National clearinghouse on mathematics and science teaching
materials.
Chapter 5--Future American-Scientist Scholarships
Sec. 171. Future American-Scientist Scholarships.
Chapter 6--Graduate Research Fellowships
Sec. 181. Graduate Research Fellowships in scientific areas of national
need.
Subtitle B--National Science Foundation Early-Career Research Grants
Sec. 191. National Science Foundation early-career research grants.
TITLE II--SOWING THE SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH
Subtitle A--Office of Science and Technology Policy Matters
Sec. 211. Coordination of science, mathematics, and engineering
education programs.
Sec. 212. National Coordination Office for Advanced Research
Instrumentation and Facilities.
Sec. 213. High-risk, high-payoff research.
Sec. 214. President's Innovation Award.
Subtitle B--National Aeronautics and Space Administration Matters
Sec. 221. National Aeronautics and Space Administration early-career
research grants.
Sec. 222. Authorization of appropriations for the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration for basic
sciences.
Subtitle C--Communications Matters
Sec. 231. Sense of Senate on policies to accelerate deployment of
access to broadband Internet.
Subtitle D--Science Parks
Sec. 241. Development of science parks.
Subtitle E--Authorization of Appropriations for the National Science
Foundation for Research and Related Activities
Sec. 251. Authorization of appropriations for the National Science
Foundation for research and related
activities.
TITLE III--ENSURING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST REMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES
Subtitle A--Visas for Doctorate Students in Mathematics, Engineering,
Technology, or the Physical Sciences
Sec. 311. Findings.
Sec. 312. Sense of the Senate.
Sec. 313. Visas for doctorate students in mathematics, engineering,
technology, or the physical sciences.
Sec. 314. Aliens not subject to numerical limitations on employment-
based immigrants.
Subtitle B--Patent Reform
Sec. 321. Patent reform.
TITLE IV--REFORMING DEEMED EXPORTS
Sec. 401. Sense of Senate on exemption of certain uses of technology
from treatment as exports.
TITLE V--STRENGTHENING BASIC RESEARCH AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Sec. 501. Department of Defense early-career research grants.
Sec. 502. Authorization of appropriations for the Department of Defense
for basic research.
TITLE I--10,000 TEACHERS, 10,000,000 MINDS K-12 MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
EDUCATION
Subtitle A--Education
SEC. 111. DEFINITIONS.
Unless otherwise specified in this subtitle, the terms used in this
subtitle have the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
CHAPTER 1--MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS
SEC. 121. BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE WITH TEACHER
CERTIFICATION.
(a) Grants Authorized.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (g), the Secretary shall award grants to eligible recipients
to enable the eligible recipients to provide integrated courses of
study in mathematics, science, or engineering and teacher education,
that lead to a baccalaureate degree in mathematics, science, or
engineering with concurrent teacher certification.
(b) Definition of Eligible Recipient.--In this section, the term
``eligible recipient'' means any department of mathematics, science, or
engineering of an institution of higher education.
(c) Award and Duration.--
(1) Award.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this
section to each eligible recipient that collaborates with a
teacher preparation program at an institution of higher
education to develop undergraduate degrees in mathematics,
science, or engineering with pedagogy education and teacher
certification.
(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this
section to each eligible recipient in an amount that is not
more than $1,000,000 per year for a period of 5 years.
(d) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible recipient receiving a
grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources
(provided in cash or in kind), to carry out the activities supported by
the grant, an amount that is not less than 25 percent of the amount of
the grant for the first year of the grant, not less than 35 percent of
the amount of the grant for the second year of the grant, and not less
than 50 percent of the amount of the grant for each succeeding fiscal
year of the grant.
(e) Application.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible recipient desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a description of how the eligible recipient
will use grant funds to develop and administer
undergraduate degrees in mathematics, science, or
engineering with pedagogy education and teacher
certification, including a description of proposed
high-quality research and laboratory experiences that
will be available to students;
(B) a description of how the mathematics, science,
or engineering departments will coordinate with a
teacher preparation program to carry out the activities
authorized under this section;
(C) a resource assessment that describes the
resources available to the eligible recipient, the
intended use of the grant funds, and the commitment of
the resources of the eligible recipient to the
activities assisted under this section, including
financial support, faculty participation, time
commitments, and continuation of the activities
assisted under the grant when the grant period ends;
(D) an evaluation plan, including measurable
objectives and benchmarks for--
(i) improving student retention;
(ii) increasing the percentage of highly
qualified mathematics and science teachers; and
(iii) improving kindergarten through grade
12 student academic performance in mathematics
and science;
(E) a description of the activities the eligible
recipient will conduct to ensure graduates of the
program keep informed of the latest developments in the
respective fields;
(F) a description of how the eligible recipient
will work with local educational agencies in the area
in which the eligible recipient is located and, to the
extent practicable, with local educational agencies
where graduates of the program authorized under this
section are employed, to ensure that the activities
required under subsection (f)(3) are carried out; and
(G) a description of efforts to encourage
applications to the program from underrepresented
groups, including women and minority groups.
(f) Authorized Activities.--An eligible recipient shall use the
funds received under this section--
(1) to develop and administer teacher education and
certification programs with in-depth content education and
subject-specific education in pedagogy, leading to
baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, science, or engineering
with concurrent teacher certification;
(2) to offer high-quality research experiences and training
in the use of educational technology; and
(3) to work with local educational agencies in the area in
which the eligible recipient is located and, to the extent
practicable, with local educational agencies where graduates of
the program authorized under this section are employed, to
support the new teachers during the initial years of teaching,
which may include--
(A) promoting effective teaching skills;
(B) development of skills in educational
interventions based on scientifically-based research;
(C) providing opportunities for high-quality
teacher mentoring;
(D) providing opportunities for regular
professional development;
(E) interdisciplinary collaboration among exemplary
teachers, faculty, researchers, and other staff who
prepare new teachers; and
(F) allowing time for joint lesson planning and
other constructive collaborative activities.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $190,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $290,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(5) $390,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(6) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(7) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
SEC. 122. MASTER'S DEGREES IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR
TEACHERS.
(a) Purposes.--The purpose of this section is provide competitive
institutional grants for eligible recipients to develop part-time, 3-
year master's degree programs in mathematics and science education for
teachers in order to enhance the content knowledge and pedagogical
skills of teachers.
(b) Definition of Eligible Recipient.--In this section, the term
``eligible recipient'' means a mathematics, science, or engineering
department of an institution of higher education.
(c) Grants Authorized.--
(1) Grants to eligible recipients.--From the amounts
authorized under subsection (i), the Secretary is authorized to
award grants of not more than $1,000,000, on a competitive
basis, to eligible recipients to enable the eligible recipients
to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection
(f).
(2) Qualification.--In order to qualify for a grant under
this section, an eligible recipient shall collaborate with a
teacher preparation program of an institution of higher
education.
(d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible recipient shall submit an application to the
Secretary that--
(1) meets the requirements of this section;
(2) includes a description of how the eligible recipient
intends to use the grant funds provided under this section;
(3) contains such information and assurances as the
Secretary may require;
(4) describes how the eligible recipient will prepare
teachers to become more effective mathematics or science
teachers;
(5) describes how the eligible recipient will coordinate
with a teacher preparation program, and how the activities of
the eligible recipient will be consistent with State, local,
and other education reform activities that promote student
achievement;
(6) describes the resources available to the eligible
recipient, the intended use of the grant funds, and the
commitment of resources of the eligible recipient to the
activities assisted under this section, including financial
support, faculty participation, time commitments, and
continuation of the activities when the grant period ends;
(7) provides an evaluation plan pursuant to subsection (g);
(8) describes how the eligible recipient will align the
proposed master's degree program with challenging student
academic achievement standards, and challenging academic
content standards, established by the State in which the
eligible recipient is located;
(9) describes the activities the eligible recipient will
undertake to ensure that local educational agencies in the
geographic areas served by the eligible recipient are provided
information about the activities carried out with grant funds
under this section; and
(10) describes how the eligible recipient will encourage
applications to the program from underrepresented groups,
including women and minority groups.
(e) Priority.--The Secretary may give priority consideration to
applications that demonstrate that the eligible recipient shall--
(1) consult with local educational agencies in developing
and administering master's degree programs;
(2) use online technology to allow for flexibility in the
pace at which candidates complete the master's degree programs;
and
(3) develop innovative efforts aimed at reducing the
shortage of master's degree level mathematics or science
teachers in low-income urban or rural areas.
(f) Authorized Activities.--An eligible recipient shall use the
grant funds received under this section to develop part-time, 3-year
master's degree programs in mathematics and science education for
teachers, conducted over 3 full-time summer sessions, and alternate
weekends during the academic year, as appropriate, which shall
include--
(1) developing courses that--
(A) are based on rigorous mathematics and science
content and aligned with challenging State academic
content standards;
(B) promote effective teaching skills; and
(C) promote understanding of effective
instructional strategies for students with special
needs, including students with disabilities, students
who are limited English proficient, and students who
are gifted and talented;
(2) hiring and training professional staff to administer
the program;
(3) purchasing equipment for computer and teaching aids;
(4) providing educational instruction for not fewer than 20
teachers per year;
(5) providing stipends to help support the participants in
the form of tuition reimbursement and travel expenses; and
(6) creating opportunities for clinical experience and
training for teachers through participation with professionals
in business, research, and work environments relating to
mathematics, science, or engineering, including opportunities
for using laboratory equipment.
(g) Annual Evaluation.--Each eligible recipient shall establish and
include in the application submitted pursuant to section (d) an
evaluation plan that includes strong performance objectives. The plan
shall include objectives and measures for increasing--
(1) the percentage of master's degree level mathematics or
science teachers hired by the State in which the eligible
recipient is located;
(2) teacher retention;
(3) the percentage of master's degree level mathematics or
science teachers serving in high-need schools;
(4) the percentage of master's degree level mathematics or
science teachers among underrepresented groups; and
(5) the competencies of program graduates in their
respective fields of mathematics or science.
(h) Graduate Fellowships.--An individual who has received a
master's degree in mathematics or science education under a program
developed pursuant to this section and who meets the requirements of
section 141(b)(2) shall be eligible for a fellowship authorized under
such section 141(b)(2).
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(5) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(6) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(7) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
CHAPTER 2--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Subchapter A--National Science Foundation Scholarships for Mathematics
and Science Teachers
SEC. 131. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this subchapter is to annually recruit and train
10,000 new mathematics and science teachers by providing scholarships
for undergraduate courses of study leading to baccalaureate degrees in
mathematics, science, or engineering, with concurrent teacher
certification.
SEC. 132. RECRUITING AND TRAINING NEW MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.
(a) Grants Authorized.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (g), the Director of the National Science Foundation
(referred to in this section as the ``Director'') shall award merit-
based undergraduate scholarships to eligible students to assist the
eligible students in paying their college education expenses, which
shall include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required
for courses of instruction.
(b) Definition of Eligible Student.--In this section, the term
``eligible student'' means a student who--
(1) attends an institution of higher education;
(2) is majoring in mathematics, science, or engineering;
(3) is pursuing concurrent certification in teaching; and
(4) demonstrates continued academic achievement and
progress, as determined by the Director, toward completion of a
baccalaureate degree in mathematics, science, or engineering
with concurrent certification in teaching.
(c) Awards.--The Director shall award a scholarship under this
section to an eligible student in an amount that is not greater than
$20,000 per academic year for not more than 4 years of undergraduate
study. The amount awarded for each academic year shall not exceed the
student's cost of attendance for the academic year.
(d) Service Requirements.--
(1) Service requirement.--An individual who is awarded a
scholarship under this section shall enter into an agreement
with the Director under which the individual agrees to be
employed for not less than 5 academic years as a full-time
mathematics, science, or elementary school teacher in a public
elementary school or secondary school, or 4 academic years as a
full-time mathematics, science, or elementary school teacher in
a public elementary school or secondary school--
(A)(i) in which not less than 40 percent of the
children enrolled in the school are from low-income
families; or
(ii) designated with a school locale code of 7 or
8, or otherwise designated as a rural school, as
determined by the Secretary; and
(B)(i) in which there is a higher percentage of
teachers not teaching in the academic subject areas or
grade levels in which the teachers were trained to
teach; or
(ii) in which there is a high teacher turnover rate
or a high percentage of teachers with emergency,
provisional, or temporary certification or licenses.
(2) Coordination with the secretary of education.--The
Director shall coordinate with the Secretary to determine
whether an individual who receives a scholarship award under
this section is employed as a full-time mathematics, science,
or elementary school teacher in accordance with paragraphs (1),
(3), and (4).
(3) Failure to comply.--If an individual who receives a
scholarship award under this section fails to comply with the
agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (1), the Director
shall take 1 or more of the following actions:
(A) Require the individual to repay all or the
applicable portion of the total scholarship amount
awarded to the individual under this section.
(B) Impose a fine or penalty in an amount to be
determined by the Director.
(4) Regulations.--The Director shall promulgate regulations
setting forth the terms of repayment and the criteria to be
considered in granting a waiver for the service requirements.
Such criteria shall include whether compliance with the service
requirements is inequitable and represents undue hardship.
(e) Coordination With the Secretary of Defense.--The Director shall
coordinate with the Secretary of Defense to ensure members of the Armed
Forces are aware of the educational opportunity under this section,
particularly members of the Armed Forces who have training in
engineering.
(f) Fellowships.--An individual shall be eligible for a fellowship
under section 141(b)(1) if the individual--
(1) has received a baccalaureate degree in mathematics,
science, or engineering, and concurrent certification in
teaching;
(2) has received a scholarship award under this section;
and
(3) meets the requirements of section 141(b)(1).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(5) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(6) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(7) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
Subchapter B--National Science Foundation Fellowships for Mathematics
and Science Teachers
SEC. 141. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS FOR MATHEMATICS AND
SCIENCE TEACHERS.
(a) Fellowship Authorized.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation (referred to in this section as the ``Director'') is
authorized to award fellowships to individuals, as described in
subsection (b), a portion of which shall be used for continuing
education and professional development activities.
(b) Fellowship Awards.--The Director shall award the following
fellowships:
(1) The Director shall award $10,000 annually for 4
academic years to an individual who meets the following
criteria:
(A) The individual has received a baccalaureate
degree in mathematics, science, or engineering, and
concurrent certification in teaching.
(B) The individual received a scholarship award
under section 132.
(C) The individual is employed as a full-time
mathematics, science, or elementary school teacher in a
public elementary school or secondary school--
(i)(I) in which not less than 40 percent of
the children enrolled in the school are from
low-income families; or
(II) designated with a school locale code
of 7 or 8, or otherwise designated as a rural
school, as determined by the Secretary; and
(ii)(I) in which there is a high percentage
of teachers not teaching in the academic
subject areas or grade levels in which the
teachers were trained to teach; or
(II) in which there is a high teacher
turnover rate or a high percentage of teachers
with emergency, provisional, or temporary
certification or licenses.
(2) The Director shall award $10,000 annually for 5
academic years to an individual who has received a master's
degree in mathematics or science education under a program
developed pursuant to section 122 and who undertakes increased
responsibilities, such as teacher mentoring and other
leadership activities.
(c) Application.--An individual desiring a fellowship under this
section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Director may
require. Each application shall include assurances that the individual
meets the requirements of the fellowship for which the individual is
applying.
(d) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with the Secretary
to determine whether an individual who receives a fellowship under this
section meets the requirements of this section.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated--
(1) to carry out subsection (b)(1)--
(A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(B) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(C) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(D) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(E) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(F) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
(2) to carry out subsection (b)(2)--
(A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(B) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(C) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(D) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
CHAPTER 3--ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS
SEC. 151. ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS.
(a) Purpose.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to educate an additional 70,000 Advanced Placement (AP)
or International Baccalaureate (IB) and 80,000 pre-AP or pre-IB
teachers of mathematics and science over the 5 year period
beginning with 2007; and
(2) to triple to 1,500,000 the number of students who take
AP and IB mathematics and science examinations.
(b) Grants Authorized.--
(1) In general.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (i), the Secretary shall award grants, on a
competitive basis, to eligible recipients to enable the
eligible recipients to carry out the activities authorized in
subsection (f).
(2) Limitation.--An eligible recipient may not receive more
than 1 grant at a time under this section to undertake
authorized activities within the same State.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient''
means a nonprofit educational entity with expertise in Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate services.
(2) Master teacher.--The term ``master teacher'' means a
teacher--
(A) with an advanced degree or an advanced
certification;
(B) who uses the most effective teaching methods in
the teacher's disciplines; and
(C) who has shown demonstrable results of higher
student achievement in mathematics or science.
(d) Application.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible recipient desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) describe the need for increased access to
Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
programs in mathematics and science;
(B) provide for the involvement of business and
community organizations in the activities to be
assisted;
(C) describe the availability of matching funds
from non-Federal sources to assist in the activities
authorized; and
(D) demonstrate an intent to carry out activities
that target local educational agencies--
(i) that serve not fewer than 10,000
children from low-income families;
(ii) for which not less than 20 percent of
the children served by the local educational
agency are children from low-income families;
or
(iii) with a total of less than 600
students in average daily attendance at the
schools that are served by the local
educational agency and all of those schools are
designated with a school locale code of 7 or 8,
or otherwise designated as a rural school, as
determined by the Secretary.
(e) Priority Consideration.--The Secretary shall give priority to
eligible recipients that submit an application under subsection (d)
that demonstrates a pervasive need to expand or develop Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate programs in mathematics and
science.
(f) Authorized Activities.--An eligible recipient shall use the
grant funds provided under this section for the following activities:
(1) To identify and work with local educational agencies to
expand or develop Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate and pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International
Baccalaureate programs in mathematics and science in schools
served by the local educational agencies.
(2) To work with the local educational agencies to
establish Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
coordinators in each secondary school served by the local
educational agencies.
(3) To ensure master teachers provide training to prepare
teachers to teach Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics and science, which shall
include at a minimum--
(A) week-long summer institutes; and
(B) 2-day seminars in the teachers' disciplines
each year for 4 years.
(4) To ensure master teachers provide training to prepare
teachers to teach pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International
Baccalaureate courses in mathematics and science, which shall
include at a minimum--
(A) a 4-day summer institute; and
(B) 4 days on campus each year for 4 years.
(5) To provide stipends to teachers who satisfactorily
complete the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
or pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate
training.
(6) To provide a bonus to a teacher who has satisfactorily
completed the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
or pre-Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate
training for each student of the teacher who passes an Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate examination in
mathematics and science.
(7) To provide test preparation sessions for students
taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate
examinations in mathematics and science.
(8) To reimburse students half of the cost of the Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate mathematics and
science examination fees.
(9) To provide scholarships to students who pass the
Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate mathematics
and science examinations.
(g) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--
(1) In general.--Each eligible recipient receiving a grant
under this section shall develop an evaluation and
accountability plan for activities assisted under this section
that includes rigorous objectives that measure the impact of
activities assisted under this section.
(2) Contents.--The plan developed pursuant to paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) the number of students served by the eligible
recipient who are taking pre-Advanced Placement or pre-
International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics and
science;
(B) the number of students served by the eligible
recipient who are taking Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate courses in mathematics and
science;
(C) the number of students served by the eligible
recipient who take Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate mathematics and science examinations;
(D) the number of students served by the eligible
recipients who pass Advanced Placement or International
Baccalaureate mathematics and science examinations; and
(E) the number of teachers trained in Advanced
Placement or International Baccalaureate and pre-
Advanced Placement or pre-International Baccalaureate
mathematics and science programs.
(h) Matching Requirements for Grants.--Each eligible recipient
receiving a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal
sources (in cash or in kind), an amount equal to 100 percent of the
amount of the grant for each year of the grant, of which not less than
25 percent shall come from State sources.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $241,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $341,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $453,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $596,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(5) $731,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
CHAPTER 4--NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING
MATERIALS
SEC. 161. NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING
MATERIALS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of the this section is to strengthen the
skills of mathematics and science teachers by establishing a national
clearinghouse of proven effective kindergarten through grade 12
mathematics and science teaching materials.
(b) Effective Mathematics and Science Teaching Materials.--The
Secretary is authorized to convene, not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, a national panel to collect proven
effective kindergarten through grade 12 mathematics and science
teaching materials, or to support the development of new materials
where no effective models exist.
(c) Composition of National Panel.--
(1) Consultation.--The Secretary shall appoint members to
the panel after consultation with the National Academy of
Sciences of the National Academies.
(2) Selection.--The Secretary shall ensure that the panel
broadly represents scientists, practitioners, educators,
representatives from entities with expertise in education,
mathematics, and science, and parents. The Secretary shall
ensure that the panel includes the following:
(A) A majority representation of educators and
parents directly involved in the kindergarten through
grade 12 education process.
(B) Proportionate representation of educators and
parents from all demographic areas, including urban,
suburban and rural schools.
(C) Proportionate representation of educators and
parents from public and private schools.
(3) Qualifications of members.--The members of the panel
shall be individuals who have substantial knowledge or
experience relating to--
(A) education, mathematics, or science policy or
programs; or
(B) education, mathematics, or science curricula
content development.
(d) Authorized Activities of National Panel.--The panel shall--
(1) identify proven effective kindergarten through grade 12
mathematics and science teaching materials;
(2) identify the need for new mathematics and science
teaching materials, and support the development of such new
materials through contracts and cooperative agreements; and
(3) establish a national clearinghouse of information on
effective kindergarten through grade 12 mathematics and science
teaching materials.
(e) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate information
related to the clearinghouse to State educational agencies, and
otherwise make available and accessible to local educational agencies
and schools the teaching materials collected by the panel in the form
of a searchable online database or Internet web site.
(f) Mathematics and Science Teaching Materials.--
(1) Reliability and measurement.--The kindergarten through
grade 12 mathematics and science teaching materials collected
under this section shall be--
(A) reliable, valid, and grounded in scientific
theory and research in existence as of the date of the
collection of materials;
(B) reviewed regularly to assess effectiveness; and
(C) developed in careful consideration of State
academic assessments and student academic achievement
standards.
(2) Students with diverse learning needs.--The teaching
materials shall include relevant materials for students with
diverse learning needs, particularly for students with
disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007
and $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
CHAPTER 5--FUTURE AMERICAN-SCIENTIST SCHOLARSHIPS
SEC. 171. FUTURE AMERICAN-SCIENTIST SCHOLARSHIPS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to increase the number
and percentage of citizens of the United States who earn baccalaureate
degrees in mathematics or science (including engineering) by providing
25,000 new competitive merit-based undergraduate scholarships to
students who are citizens of the United States, for the purpose of
enabling each such student to obtain a baccalaureate degree in
mathematics or science at a 4-year institution of higher education.
(b) Scholarships.--
(1) In general.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (e), the Secretary shall award the scholarships to
eligible students that shall be used by the eligible students
to pay for qualifying expenses at the 4-year institution of
higher education of the eligible students' choosing.
(2) Future american-scientist scholarships.--A scholarship
awarded under this section shall be called a ``Future American-
Scientist Scholarship''.
(c) Amount; Duration.--
(1) Amount.--A scholarship award under this section shall
be in an amount of not more than $20,000 per year.
(2) Duration of scholarship.--A scholarship awarded to an
eligible student under this section shall be for the number of
years necessary for the eligible student to earn a
baccalaureate degree in mathematics or science, except that no
scholarship under this section shall be awarded for a period of
more than 4 years.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible student.--The term ``eligible student'' means
a student who--
(A) is a citizen of the United States;
(B) is attending a 4-year institution of higher
education;
(C) is enrolled, or will be enrolled at the start
of the next academic year, in a course of study at an
institution of higher education that leads to a
baccalaureate degree in mathematics or science;
(D) demonstrates aptitude, as determined by the
Secretary, in mathematics or science; or
(E) for each year of a scholarship under this
section, demonstrates continued academic achievement
and progress, as determined by the Secretary, toward
completion of a baccalaureate degree in mathematics or
science.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(3) Qualified expenses.--The term ``qualified expenses''
means the tuition, books, fees, supplies, and equipment
required for a course of instruction leading to a baccalaureate
degree in mathematics or science at a 4-year institution of
higher education of the eligible student's choosing.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $375,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $1,125,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(4) $1,500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010
through 2013.
CHAPTER 6--GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
SEC. 181. GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS IN SCIENTIFIC AREAS OF NATIONAL
NEED.
(a) Fellowships Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated under
subsection (e), the Secretary shall establish a fellowship program to
provide tuition and financial support for eligible students pursuing
master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics or science (including
engineering) or other areas of national need.
(b) Areas of National Need.--The Secretary may establish, on an
annual basis, areas of national need important to the mission of the
Department of Energy, and may use the areas of national need in
determining the specific fields of study to be supported by fellowship
awards under this section. In establishing the areas of national need,
the Secretary shall consider the results of the survey conducted under
section 1101 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16411).
(c) Use and Amount of Awards.--A fellowship award under this
section shall be--
(1) in an amount that is commensurate with the amount of
similar graduate research fellowships awarded by the National
Science Foundation; and
(2) used by the eligible student to cover educational
expenses and to provide additional financial support.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible student.--The term ``eligible student'' means
a student who is enrolled in a master's or doctoral degree
program in mathematics or science (including engineering) or
other areas of national need at an institution of higher
education (as defined in section 171).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated under this section--
(1) $225,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(3) $675,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2013.
Subtitle B--National Science Foundation Early-Career Research Grants
SEC. 191. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY-CAREER RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize
research grants in the National Science Foundation, for early-career
scientists and engineers for purposes of pursuing independent research.
(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher.--In this
section, the term ``eligible early-career researcher'' means an
individual who--
(1) completed a doctorate or other terminal degree not more
than 10 years before the date of enactment of this Act and has
demonstrated promise in the field of science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics; or
(2) has an equivalent professional qualification in the
field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
(c) Grant Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall award not less than 65 grants per year to
outstanding eligible early-career researchers to support the
work of such researchers in universities, private industry, or
federally-funded research and development centers.
(2) Application.--An eligible early-career researcher who
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to
the Director of the National Science Foundation an application
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Director may require.
(3) Special consideration.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall
give special consideration to eligible early-career researchers
who have followed alternative career paths such as working
part-time or in non-academic settings, or who have taken a
significant career break or other leave of absence.
(4) Duration and amount.--A grant under this section shall
be 5 years in duration. An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall receive $100,000 for
each year of the grant period.
(5) Use of funds.--An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds
for basic research in natural sciences, engineering,
mathematics, or computer sciences at a university, private
industry, or federally-funded research and development center.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(A) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(B) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(C) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(D) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(E) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
TITLE II--SOWING THE SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH
Subtitle A--Office of Science and Technology Policy Matters
SEC. 211. COORDINATION OF SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND ENGINEERING
EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) National Goals.--
(1) Body for establishment of goals.--The Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish within
the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology
a standing subcommittee on education in mathematics, science,
and engineering in the Federal Government.
(2) Responsibility.--The subcommittee established under
this subsection shall--
(A) develop national goals for the support by the
Federal Government of education in mathematics,
science, and engineering; and
(B) periodically review and update any goals so
developed.
(3) Public comment.--The Director shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academy of Sciences or other
appropriate scientific organization to seek public comment on
the national goals developed under this subsection.
(b) Deputy Assistant Director for Science, Mathematics, and
Engineering Education Programs.--
(1) In general.--There shall be in the Office of Science
and Technology Policy a Deputy Assistant Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy for Science, Mathematics, and
Engineering Education Programs who shall be appointed by the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, acting
through the Associate Director for Science of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, from among individuals having
the qualifications specified in paragraph (2).
(2) Qualifications for appointment.--The qualifications of
an individual for appointment as Deputy Assistant Director
shall include such professional experience and expertise, and
such other qualifications, as the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy considers appropriate to permit
such individual to advise the Director on all matters relating
to the education programs of the Executive Branch on
mathematics, science, and technology.
(c) Responsibility.--The Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering
Educations Programs shall ensure effective coordination among the
departments, agencies, and elements of the Federal Government in the
discharge of the education programs of the Executive Branch on
mathematics, science, and technology.
(d) Plan for Coordination of Programs.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the responsibility
described in subsection (c), the Deputy Assistant Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy for Science,
Mathematics, and Engineering Educations Programs shall develop
each year a plan for the coordination of the education programs
of the Executive Branch on mathematics, science, and technology
during the five fiscal years beginning in the year of such
plan.
(2) Elements.--Each plan developed under this subsection
shall include--
(A) mechanisms for the coordination of the
education programs of the Executive Branch on
mathematics, science, and technology during the five
fiscal years beginning in the year of such plan; and
(B) recommendations on funding, by agency, of such
education programs during each such fiscal year.
(3) Consistency with national goals.--Each plan developed
under this subsection shall be consistent with the most current
national goals for the support by the Federal Government of
education in mathematics, science, and engineering developed
under subsection (a).
(4) Availability to public.--The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall take appropriate actions to
ensure that each plan developed under this subsection is
available to the public.
(e) Staffing and Other Resources.--The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall assign the Deputy Assistant
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy for Science,
Mathematics, and Engineering Educations Programs such personnel and
other resources as the Director considers appropriate in order to
permit the Deputy Assistant Director to carry out the duties of the
Deputy Assistant Director under this section.
(f) Deadlines for Certain Actions.--
(1) Establishment of subcommittee.--The Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish the
subcommittee required by subsection (a)(1) not later than 30
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Appointment of deputy assistant director.--The Director
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, acting through
the Associate Director for Science of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, shall make the first appointment to the
position of Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering
Education Programs under subsection (b)(1) not later than 60
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 212. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH
INSTRUMENTATION AND FACILITIES.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish within the Office of Science
and Technology Policy an office to be known as the ``National
Coordination Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and
Facilities''.
(2) Head of office.--The head of the National Coordination
Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities
shall be the Director of the National Coordination Office for
Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities, who shall be
appointed by the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(3) Staff and other resources.--The Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy shall assign to the National
Coordination Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and
Facilities such personnel and other resources as the Director
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy considers
appropriate in order to permit the National Coordination Office
for Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities to carry
out its duties under this section.
(4) Deadline for establishment.--The National Coordination
Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities
shall be established not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(b) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The National Coordination Office for
Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities shall
coordinate the award by the departments, agencies, and other
elements of the Federal Government of grants for advanced
research instrumentation and facilities.
(2) Advanced research instrumentation and facilities.--
(A) In general.--For purposes of this section,
advanced research instrumentation and facilities are
specially designed and developed instruments or tools
(whether of a physical or nonphysical nature) that are
available commercially but are overly expensive for
design and development under a single research grant.
(B) Examples.--Examples of advanced research
instrumentation and facilities for purposes of this
section include the following:
(i) Single, stand-alone instruments or
instrument suites.
(ii) Networks.
(iii) Computational modeling applications.
(iv) Computer databases.
(v) Sensor systems.
(vi) Facilities that house ensembles of
interrelated instruments.
(vii) Instruments assembled from
components.
(3) Discharge of duties.--The Office shall coordinate the
award of grants for advanced research instrumentation and
facilities under this section in accordance with the strategic
implementation plan developed under subsection (c).
(c) Strategic Implementation Plan.--
(1) Plan required.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall, in consultation with the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget, develop a plan
for the award by the departments, agencies, and other elements
of the Federal Government of grants for advanced research
instrumentation and facilities during the five-year period
beginning on the date of the issuance of the plan.
(2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) Criteria applicable to the award of grants for
advanced research instrumentation and facilities,
including criteria applicable to--
(i) scientific and technical merit;
(ii) the identification of the strategic
requirements of the departments, agencies, and
other elements of the Federal Government; and
(iii) national science and technology
needs.
(B) An assessment of the current and anticipated
needs of the departments, agencies, and other elements
of the Federal Government for advanced research
instrumentation and facilities.
(C) A report to Congress on the proposed allocation
of funds, including amounts authorized to be
appropriated by subsection (f), by the departments,
agencies, and other elements of the Federal Government
for grants for advanced research instrumentation and
facilities.
(3) Public comment.--In developing the plan required by
paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall enter into an agreement with the
National Academy of Sciences, or other similar entity, to
secure public comments on the plan.
(d) Recommendations on Agency Funding.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall, in consultation with the Director of
the National Coordination Office for Advanced Research
Instrumentation and Facilities, make recommendations each year
to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget on the
amount of funds to be requested for the departments, agencies,
and other elements of the Federal Government for the fiscal
year beginning in such year for the award of grants for
advanced research instrumentation and facilities.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the recommendations under
paragraph (1) shall be to advise the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget on the amounts to be requested in the
budget of the President (as submitted to Congress under section
1105 of title 31, United States Code) for each fiscal year for
the award of grants for advanced research instrumentation and
facilities.
(e) Use of Grant Amounts.--Amounts under grants awarded by
departments, agencies, and other elements of the Federal Government for
advanced research instrumentation and facilities may be used for
purposes as follows:
(1) The purchase and installation of instruments.
(2) The commissioning of equipment.
(3) The calibration of instruments.
(4) The acquisition of parts and materials for construction
of instruments.
(5) Personnel costs of personnel engaged in the development
of instruments.
(6) The operation and maintenance of instruments.
(7) Such other purposes as the Director of the National
Coordination Office for Advanced Research Instrumentation and
Facilities considers appropriate.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--In addition to amounts appropriated under
Federal law other than this Act, there is authorized to be
appropriated for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to
carry out this section (including the plan specified in
subsection (c))--
(A) $1,000,000 to the Office of Science and
Technology Policy;
(B) $150,000,000 to the National Science
Foundation;
(C) $87,000,000 to the Department of Defense;
(D) $152,000,000 to the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy; and
(E) $117,000,000 to the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
(2) Availability.--The amount authorized to be appropriated
by this subsection shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 213. HIGH-RISK, HIGH-PAYOFF RESEARCH.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall, in consultation with the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget, establish guidelines to ensure that
each Federal research agency allocates not less than 8 percent of the
funds available to such agency each fiscal year for basic research for
high-risk, high-payoff research.
(b) High-Risk, High-Payoff Research.--For purposes of this section,
high-risk, high-payoff research is research that--
(1) has the potential for yielding results with far-ranging
or wide-ranging implications; but
(2) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of
disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review
process.
(c) Guideline Elements.--The guidelines required by subsection (a)
shall include provisions on the following:
(1) Expedited procedures for the approval of the use of
funds for high-risk, high-payoff research.
(2) Annual reports by Federal research agencies on
activities relating to high-risk, high-payoff research.
(3) Criteria to establish the duration of funding for high-
risk, high-payoff research projects.
(4) Objectives for high-risk, high-payoff research
projects.
(5) Such other criteria, objectives, or other matters as
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
considers appropriate.
(d) Public Comment.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall enter into an agreement with the National
Academy of Sciences, or similar entity, to solicit public comment,
through a broad media solicitation, on the guidelines required by
subsection (a) before the final issuance of such guidelines.
(e) Review.--The President's Committee of Advisors on Science and
Technology shall, not less often than once every two years, conduct a
review to determine whether or not Federal research agencies are
allocating basic research funds in accordance with the guidelines
required by subsection (a).
(f) Annual Reports to Congress.--
(1) Reports required.--The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget shall, in consultation with the Director
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, submit to
Congress each year a report on the use by Federal research
agencies of basic research funds for high-risk, high-payoff
research during the preceding fiscal year.
(2) Time for submittal.--The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget shall submit the report required by
paragraph (1) for a year together with the budget of the
President for the fiscal year beginning in such year (as
submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United
States Code).
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal research agency.--The term ``Federal research
agency'' means a major organizational component of a department
or agency of the Federal Government, or other establishment of
the Federal Government operating with appropriated funds, that
has as its primary purpose the performance of scientific
research.
(2) Major organizational component.--The term ``major
organizational component'', with respect to a department,
agency, or other establishment of the Federal Government, means
a component of the department, agency, or other establishment
that is administered by an individual whose rate of basic pay
is not less than the rate of basic pay payable under level V of
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United
States Code.
SEC. 214. PRESIDENT'S INNOVATION AWARD.
(a) Authority To Award.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall, subject to the approval of the
President, award each year to one or more individuals an award
that recognizes recent innovations in science and engineering
in the United States.
(2) Designation.--The award made under this section shall
be known as the ``President's Innovation Award''.
(3) Presentation.--The presentation of awards made under
this section shall be made by the President.
(b) Selection of Recipients.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall identify recipients of the award under
this section from among individuals whose achievements are
recognized in the most recent document entitled ``Interagency
Research and Development Priorities'' published by the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(2) Solicitation of recommendations.--In identifying
potential recipients of the award under this section, the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
solicit recommendations from the heads of Federal agencies and
the general public.
(c) Nature of Award.--The award made under this section shall
consist of the following:
(1) A medal, of such design as the Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy shall determine (subject to
the approval of the President).
(2) A certificate of recognition.
(3) A cash prize, in such amount as the Director considers
appropriate.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby authorized to
be appropriated to the Office of Science and Technology Policy each
fiscal year $1,000,000 for the making of awards under this section.
Subtitle B--National Aeronautics and Space Administration Matters
SEC. 221. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION EARLY-CAREER
RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize
research grants in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
for early-career scientists and engineers for purposes of pursuing
independent research.
(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher.--In this
section, the term ``eligible early-career researcher'' means an
individual who--
(1) completed a doctorate or other terminal degree not more
than 10 years before the date of enactment of this Act and has
demonstrated promise in the field of science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics; or
(2) has an equivalent professional qualification in the
field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
(c) Grant Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall award not less than
45 grants per year to outstanding eligible early-career
researchers to support the work of such researchers in
universities, private industry, or federally-funded research
and development centers.
(2) Application.--An eligible early-career researcher who
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to
the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration an application at such time, in such manner, and
accompanied by such information as the Administrator may
require.
(3) Special consideration.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration shall give special consideration to
eligible early-career researchers who have followed alternative
career paths such as working part-time or in non-academic
settings, or who have taken a significant career break or other
leave of absence.
(4) Duration and amount.--A grant under this section shall
be 5 years in duration. An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall receive $100,000 for
each year of the grant period.
(5) Use of funds.--An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds
for basic research in natural sciences, engineering,
mathematics, or computer sciences at a university, private
industry, or federally-funded research and development center.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(B) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(C) $13,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(D) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(E) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 222. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION FOR BASIC SCIENCES.
(a) In General.--There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for basic sciences
for research specified in subsection (b), amounts as follows:
(1) $2,768,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(2) $3,044,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(3) $3,349,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(4) $3,684,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(5) $4,052,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(6) $4,457,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
(7) $4,903,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(b) Covered Research.--The research specified in this subsection is
research under programs as follows:
(1) The Solar System Exploration Research Program.
(2) The Mars Exploration Research Program.
(3) The Astronomical Search for Origins Research Program.
(4) The Structure and Evolution of the Universe Research
Program.
(5) The Earth-Sun Connection Research Program.
(6) The Earth Systems Science Research Program.
(7) The Earth Science Applications Research Program.
(8) The Biological Sciences Research Program.
(9) The Physical Sciences Research Program.
(10) The Aeronautics Program.
(11) Such other basic research programs as the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration may determine to be appropriate, after notifying
the appropriate committees of Congress of the Administrator's
intent to make the determination.
Subtitle C--Communications Matters
SEC. 231. SENSE OF SENATE ON POLICIES TO ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT OF
ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET.
It is the sense of the Senate that Congress and the Federal
Communications Commission should work together to ensure the
implementation of regulatory policies that facilitate and accelerate
the deployment of access to broadband Internet to order to provide
broadband Internet service to as many residences, businesses, and
schools as possible in both urban areas and rural areas.
Subtitle D--Science Parks
SEC. 241. DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE PARKS.
(a) Finding.--Section 2 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701) is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
``(12) It is in the best interests of the Nation to
encourage the formation of science parks to promote the
clustering of innovation through high technology activities.''.
(b) Definition.--Section 4 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 3703) is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(14) `Science park' means a group of interrelated
companies and institutions, including suppliers, service
providers, institutions of higher education, start-up
incubators, and trade associations that cooperate and compete
and are located in a specific area whose administration
promotes real estate development, technology transfer, and
partnerships between such companies and institutions, and does
not mean a business or industrial park.
``(15) `Business or industrial park' means primarily a for-
profit real estate venture of businesses or industries which do
not necessarily reinforce each other through supply chain or
technology transfer mechanisms.
``(16) `Science park infrastructure' means facilities that
support the daily economic activity of a science park.''.
(c) Promotion of Development of Science Parks.--Section 5(c) of
such Act (15 U.S.C. 3704(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (15), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(16) promote the formation of science parks.''.
(d) Science Parks.--Such Act is further amended by adding at the
end the following new section:
``SEC. 24. SCIENCE PARKS.
``(a) Development of Plans for Construction of Science Parks.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants for the
development of feasibility studies and plans for the
construction of new or expansion of existing science parks.
``(2) Limitation on amount of grants.--The amount of a
grant awarded under this subsection may not exceed $750,000.
``(3) Award.--
``(A) Competition required.--The Secretary shall
award any grant under this subsection pursuant to a
full and open competition.
``(B) Advertising.--The Secretary shall advertise
any competition under this paragraph in the Commerce
Business Daily.
``(C) Selection criteria.--The Secretary shall
publish the criteria to be utilized in any competition
under this paragraph for the selection of recipients of
grants under this subsection. Such criteria shall
include requirements relating to--
``(i) the number of jobs to be created at
the science park each year for a period of 5
years;
``(ii) the funding to be required to
construct or expand the science park over the
first 5 years;
``(iii) the amount and type of cost
matching by the applicant;
``(iv) the types of businesses and research
entities expected in the science park and
surrounding community;
``(v) letters of intent by businesses and
research entities to locate in the science
park;
``(vi) the capacity of the science park for
expansion over a period of 25 years;
``(vii) the quality of life at the science
park for employees at the science park;
``(viii) the capability to attract a well
trained workforce to the science park;
``(ix) the management of the science park;
``(x) expected risks in the construction
and operation of the science park;
``(xi) risk mitigation;
``(xii) transportation and logistics;
``(xiii) physical infrastructure, including
telecommunications; and
``(xiv) ability to collaborate with other
science parks throughout the world.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012,
$7,500,000 to carry out this subsection.
``(b) Revolving Loan Program for Development of Science Park
Infrastructure.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to six
regional centers for the development of existing science park
infrastructure through the operation of revolving loan funds by
such centers.
``(2) Selection of centers.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall select the
regional centers to be awarded grants under this
subsection utilizing such criteria as the Secretary
shall prescribe.
``(B) Criteria.--The criteria prescribed by the
Secretary under this paragraph shall include criteria
relating to revolving loan funds and revolving loan
fund operators under paragraph (4), including--
``(i) the qualifications of principal
officers;
``(ii) non-Federal cost matching
requirements; and
``(iii) conditions for the termination of
loan funds.
``(3) Limitation on loan amount.--The amount of any loan
for the development of existing science park infrastructure
that is funded under this subsection may not exceed $3,000,000.
``(4) Revolving loan funds.--
``(A) In general.--A regional center receiving a
grant under this subsection shall fund the development
of existing science park infrastructure through the
utilization of a revolving loan fund.
``(B) Operation and integrity.--The Secretary shall
prescribe regulations to maintain the proper operation
and financial integrity of revolving loan funds under
this paragraph.
``(C) Efficient administration.--The Secretary
may--
``(i) at the request of a grantee, amend
and consolidate grant agreements governing
revolving loan funds to provide flexibility
with respect to lending areas and borrower
criteria;
``(ii) assign or transfer assets of a
revolving loan fund to a third party for the
purpose of liquidation, and a third party may
retain assets of the fund to defray costs
related to liquidation; and
``(iii) take such actions as are
appropriate to enable revolving loan fund
operators to sell or securitize loans (except
that the actions may not include issuance of a
Federal guaranty by the Secretary).
``(D) Treatment of actions.--An action taken by the
Secretary under this paragraph with respect to a
revolving loan fund shall not constitute a new
obligation if all grant funds associated with the
original grant award have been disbursed to the
recipient.
``(E) Preservation of securities laws.--
``(i) Not treated as exempted securities.--
No securities issued pursuant to subparagraph
(C)(iii) shall be treated as exempted
securities for purposes of the Securities Act
of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
unless exempted by rule or regulation of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
``(ii) Preservation.--Except as provided in
clause (i), no provision of this paragraph or
any regulation issued by the Secretary under
this paragraph shall supersede or otherwise
affect the application of the securities laws
(as such term is defined in section 2(a)(47) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or the
rules, regulations, or orders of the Securities
and Exchange Commission or a self-regulatory
organization thereunder.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012,
$60,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
``(c) Loan Guarantees for Science Park Infrastructure.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall guarantee up to 80
percent of the loan amount for loans exceeding $10,000,000 for
projects for the construction of science park infrastructure.
``(2) Limitations on guarantee amounts.--The maximum amount
of loan principal guaranteed under this subsection may not
exceed--
``(A) $50,000,000 with respect to any single
project; and
``(B) $500,000,000 with respect to all projects.
``(3) Selection of guarantee recipients.--The Secretary
shall select recipients of loan guarantees under this
subsection based upon the ability of the recipient to
collateralize the loan amount through bonds, equity, property,
and other such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe.
``(4) Terms and conditions for loan guarantees.--For
purposes of this section, the loans guaranteed shall be subject
to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe,
except that--
``(A) the final maturity of such loans made or
guaranteed shall not exceed (as determined by the
Secretary) the lesser of--
``(i) 30 years and 32 days; or
``(ii) 90 percent of the useful life of any
physical asset to be financed by such loan;
``(B) no loan made or guaranteed may be
subordinated to another debt contracted by the borrower
or to any other claims against the borrowers in the
case of default;
``(C) no loan may be guaranteed unless the
Secretary determines that the lender is responsible and
that adequate provision is made for servicing the loan
on reasonable terms and protecting the financial
interest of the United States;
``(D) no loan may be guaranteed if the income from
such loan is excluded from gross income for purposes of
chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or if
the guarantee provides significant collateral or
security, as determined by the Secretary, for other
obligations the income from which is so excluded;
``(E) any guarantee shall be conclusive evidence
that said guarantee has been properly obtained, that
the underlying loan qualified for such guarantee, and
that, but for fraud or material misrepresentation by
the holder, such guarantee shall be presumed to be
valid, legal, and enforceable;
``(F) the Secretary shall prescribe explicit
standards for use in periodically assessing the credit
risk of new and existing direct loans or guaranteed
loans;
``(G) the Secretary must find that there is a
reasonable assurance of repayment before extending
credit assistance; and
``(H) new loan guarantees may not be committed
except to the extent that appropriations of budget
authority to cover their costs are made in advance, as
required in section 504 of the Federal Credit Reform
Act of 1990.
``(5) Payment of losses.--For purposes of this section--
``(A) In general.--If, as a result of a default by
a borrower under a guaranteed loan, after the holder
thereof has made such further collection efforts and
instituted such enforcement proceedings as the
Secretary may require, the Secretary determines that
the holder has suffered a loss, the Secretary shall pay
to such holder the percentage of such loss (not more
than 80 percent) specified in the guarantee contract.
Upon making any such payment, the Secretary shall be
subrogated to all the rights of the recipient of the
payment. The Secretary shall be entitled to recover
from the borrower the amount of any payments made
pursuant to any guarantee entered into under this
section.
``(B) Enforcement of rights.--The Attorney General
shall take such action as may be appropriate to enforce
any right accruing to the United States as a result of
the issuance of any guarantee under this section.
``(C) Forbearance.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to preclude any forbearance for the benefit
of the borrower which may be agreed upon by the parties
to the guaranteed loan and approved by the Secretary,
if budget authority for any resulting subsidy costs (as
defined under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990) is
available.
``(D) Management of property.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law relating to the acquisition,
handling, or disposal of property by the United States,
the Secretary shall have the right in the Secretary's
discretion to complete, recondition, reconstruct,
renovate, repair, maintain, operate, or sell any
property acquired by the Secretary pursuant to the
provisions of this section.
``(6) Review.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall, within 2 years of the date of enactment of this section,
conduct a review of the subsidy estimates for the loan
guarantees under this subsection, and shall submit to Congress
a report on the review conducted under this paragraph.
``(7) Termination.--No loan may be guaranteed under this
subsection after September 30, 2012.
``(8) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated--
``(A) $35,000,000 for the cost, as defined in
section 502(5) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of
1990, of guaranteeing $500,000,000 of loans under this
subsection; and
``(B) $6,000,000 for administrative expenses for
fiscal year 2007 and such sums as necessary thereafter
for administrative expenses in subsequent years.
``(d) National Academy of Sciences Evaluation.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the
Academy shall evaluate, on a tri-annual basis, the activities
under this section.
``(2) Tri-annual report.--Under the agreement under
paragraph (1), the Academy shall submit to the Secretary a
report on its evaluation of science park development under that
paragraph. Each report may include such recommendations as the
Academy considers appropriate for additional activities to
promote and facilitate the development of science parks in the
United States.
``(e) Tri-Annual Report.--Not later than March 31 of every third
year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the activities
under this section during the preceding 3 years, including any
recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences under
subsection (d)(2) during such period. Each report may include such
recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the
Secretary considers appropriate to further promote and facilitate the
development of science parks in the United States.
``(f) Regulations.--
``(1) Regulations.--Consistent with Office of Management
and Budget Circular A-129, `Policies for Federal Credit
Programs and Non-Tax Receivables', the Secretary shall
prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
``(2) Deadline.--The Secretary shall prescribe such
regulations not later than one year after the date of enactment
of this section.''.
Subtitle E--Authorization of Appropriations for the National Science
Foundation for Research and Related Activities
SEC. 251. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for
the National Science Foundation for Research and Related Activities,
amounts as follows:
(1) $4,195,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(2) $4,614,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(3) $5,076,000,000 for fiscal year 2009
(4) $5,584,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(5) $6,143,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(6) $6,757,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
(7) $7,432,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(b) Limitation on Availability.--Amounts authorized to be
appropriated for the National Science Foundation by subsection (a)
shall not be available for the United States Solar Program and
Integrative Activities of the Foundation.
TITLE III--ENSURING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST REMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES
Subtitle A--Visas for Doctorate Students in Mathematics, Engineering,
Technology, or the Physical Sciences
SEC. 311. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The National Academies, in their congressionally
requested report entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm:
Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic
Future'', recommended that Congress--
(A) continue to improve visa processing for
international students and scholars by providing less
complex procedures and continuing to make improvements
on issues such as visa categories and duration, travel
for scientific meetings, the technology-alert list,
reciprocity agreements, and changes in status;
(B) provide a 1-year automatic visa extension to
international students who receive doctorates or the
equivalent in science, technology, engineering,
mathematics, or other fields of national need at
qualified United States institutions to remain in the
United States to seek employment;
(C) provide such students with automatic work
permits and expedited residence status if they are
offered jobs by employers based in the United States
and pass a security screening test;
(D) institute a new skills-based, preferential
immigration option that gives applicants with
doctorate-level education and science and engineering
skills priority in obtaining United States citizenship;
and
(E) increase the number of H-1B visas by 10,000,
which should be allocated for applicants with doctorate
degrees in science, or engineering from a United States
university; and
(2) Since the publication of the report by the National
Academies, the Senate has passed the Deficit Reduction Act of
2005, which authorizes an additional 30,000 H-1B visas per
year.
SEC. 312. SENSE OF THE SENATE.
It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the Department of State and the Department of Homeland
Security have made significant improvements since 2002 in the
efficiency with which visas are processed for--
(A) students at colleges and universities in the
United States; and
(B) foreign researchers to engage in appropriate
scientific research in the United States;
(2) particular improvements have been made to the MANTIS
clearance process, which--
(A) reduce wait times from more than 70 days to
less than 15 days; and
(B) extend the duration of the MANTIS clearance
process up to 4 years, as appropriate, to cover the
duration of study for foreign students in the United
States;
(3) both departments and related supporting agencies should
further improve efficiency and convenience in the granting of
visas to foreign students and researchers while protecting
national security;
(4) the departments should extend MANTIS clearance for
foreign researchers for the duration of a specified scientific
research program while balancing security concerns; and
(5) other such improvements should include--
(A) review of the technology-alert list; and
(B) efforts to better facilitate travel for
scientific conferences.
SEC. 313. VISAS FOR DOCTORATE STUDENTS IN MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING,
TECHNOLOGY, OR THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
(a) Creation of New Visa Category.--Section 101(a)(15)(F) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting ``(except for a graduate program
described in clause (iv))'' after ``full course of
study'';
(B) by striking ``214(l)'' and inserting
``214(m)''; and
(C) by striking the comma at the end and inserting
a semicolon;
(2) in clause (ii)--
(A) by inserting ``or clause (iv)'' after ``clause
(i)''; and
(B) by striking ``, and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(3) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and'' at the end; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) an alien described in clause (i) who has
been accepted and plans to attend an accredited
graduate program in mathematics, engineering,
technology, or the physical sciences in the United
States for the purpose of obtaining a doctorate
degree;''.
(b) Requirements for Obtaining an F-4 Visa.--Section 214(m) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(m)) is amended--
(1) by striking the matter preceding paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(m) Nonimmigrant Elementary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary School
Students.--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3)(A) An alien who obtains the status of a nonimmigrant under
section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv) shall demonstrate an intent to--
``(i) return to the country of residence of such alien
immediately after the completion or termination of the graduate
program qualifying such alien for such status; or
``(ii) find employment in the United States related to the
field of study of such alien and become a permanent resident of
the United States upon the completion of the graduate program,
which was the basis for such nonimmigrant status.
``(B) A visa issued to an alien under section 101(a)(15)(F)(iv)
shall be valid--
``(i) during the intended period of study in a graduate
program described in such section;
``(ii) for an additional period, not to exceed 1 year
beyond the completion of the graduate program, if the alien is
actively pursuing an offer of employment related to the
knowledge and skills obtained through the graduate program; and
``(iii) for an additional period, not to exceed 6 months,
while the alien's application for adjustment of status under
section 245(i)(4) is pending.
``(C) An alien shall qualify for adjustment of status to that of a
person admitted for permanent residence if the alien--
``(i) has the status of a nonimmigrant under section
101(a)(15)(F)(iv);
``(ii) has successfully earned a doctorate degree in
mathematics, engineering, technology or the physical sciences
at an accredited college or university in the United States;
and
``(iii) is employed full-time in the United States in a
position related to the knowledge and skills gained while
pursuing such degree.''.
(c) Adjustment of Status.--Section 245(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255(i)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(4) The Secretary of Homeland Security may adjust the status of
an alien who meets the requirements under section 214(m)(3) to that of
an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the alien--
``(A) makes an application for such adjustment;
``(B) is eligible to receive an immigrant visa;
``(C) is admissible to the United States for permanent
residence; and
``(D) remits a fee of $1,000 to the Secretary.''.
(d) Use of Fees.--
(1) Job training; scholarships.--Section 286(s)(1) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(1)) is
amended by inserting ``and 80 percent of the fees collected
under section 245(i)(4)'' before the period at the end.
(2) Fraud prevention and detection.--Section 286(v)(1) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(v)(1)) is
amended by inserting ``and 20 percent of the fees collected
under section 245(i)(4)'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 314. ALIENS NOT SUBJECT TO NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS ON EMPLOYMENT-
BASED IMMIGRANTS.
(a) In General.--Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(F) Aliens who have earned an advanced degree in
science, technology, engineering, or math and have been
working in a related field in the United States under a
nonimmigrant visa during the 3-year period preceding
their application for an immigrant visa under section
203(b).
``(G) Aliens described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
of section 203(b)(1)(A) or who have received a national
interest waiver under section 203(b)(2)(B).
``(H) The immediate relatives of an alien who is
admitted as an employment-based immigrant under section
203(b).''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to any visa application pending on the date of enactment of this
Act and any visa application filed on or after such date of enactment.
Subtitle B--Patent Reform
SEC. 321. PATENT REFORM.
It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the United States Patent and Trademark Office should be
provided with sufficient resources to make intellectual
property protection more timely, predictable, and effective;
(2) the resources described under paragraph (1) should
include a 20 percent increase in overall funding to hire and
train additional examiners and implement more capable
electronic processing; and
(3) Congress should implement comprehensive patent reform
that--
(A) establishes a first-inventor-to-file system;
(B) institutes an open review process following the
grant of a patent;
(C) encourages research uses of patented inventions
by shielding researchers from infringement liability;
and
(D) reduces barriers to innovation in specific
industries with specialized patent needs.
TITLE IV--REFORMING DEEMED EXPORTS
SEC. 401. SENSE OF SENATE ON EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN USES OF TECHNOLOGY
FROM TREATMENT AS EXPORTS.
(a) Sense of Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the use of
technology by an institution of higher education in the United States
should not be treated as an export of such technology for purposes of
section 5 of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App.
2404) and any regulations prescribed thereunder, as currently in effect
pursuant to the provisions of the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or any other provision of law, if
such technology is so used by such institution for fundamental
research.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Fundamental research.--The term ``fundamental
research'' has the meaning given that term in National Security
Decision Directive 189, entitled ``National Policy on Transfer
of Scientific, Technical, and Engineering Information'' and
dated September 21, 1985.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a).
TITLE V--STRENGTHENING BASIC RESEARCH AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
SEC. 501. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EARLY-CAREER RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize
research grants in the Department of Defense for early-career
scientists and engineers for purposes of pursuing independent research.
(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher.--In this
section, the term ``eligible early-career researcher'' means an
individual who--
(1) completed a doctorate or other terminal degree not more
than 10 years before the date of enactment of this Act and has
demonstrated promise in the field of science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics; or
(2) has an equivalent professional qualification in the
field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
(c) Grant Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall award not
less than 25 grants per year to outstanding eligible early-
career researchers to support the work of such researchers in
universities, private industry, or federally-funded research
and development centers.
(2) Application.--An eligible early-career researcher who
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to
the Secretary of Defense an application at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require.
(3) Special consideration.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary of Defense shall give special
consideration to eligible early-career researchers who have
followed alternative career paths such as working part-time or
in non-academic settings, or who have taken a significant
career break or other leave of absence.
(4) Duration and amount.--A grant under this section shall
be 5 years in duration. An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall receive $100,000 for
each year of the grant period.
(5) Use of funds.--An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds
for basic research in natural sciences, engineering,
mathematics, or computer sciences at a university, private
industry, or federally-funded research and development center.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(A) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(B) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(C) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(D) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(E) $12,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 502. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
FOR BASIC RESEARCH.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the Department of
Defense for basic (6.1) research, amounts for the research,
development, test, and evaluation accounts of the Department, and for
other accounts of the Department providing funding for such research,
in the aggregate as follows:
(1) $1,616,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(2) $1,778,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(3) $1,995,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(4) $2,151,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(5) $2,364,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(6) $2,602,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
(7) $2,862,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S214-224)
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 109-344.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 109-393.
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