Skip to content
News and updates

Category: Energy R&D

House Releases America COMPETES Act of 2022

Posted on

Today, House leadership revealed the America COMPETES Act of 2022 (H.R. 4521). Much like the bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260), which passed in the Senate last summer, the bill authorizes strategic investments in advanced scientific research at NSF and the Department of Energy, semiconductor chip manufacturing, supply chain and natural resource issues, and key diplomatic efforts.

Of particular relevance:

  • $52B for the CHIPS for America Act.
  • Comprehensive reauthorization of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
  • Reauthorizes the entire National Science Foundation and establishes a new Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions (SES).
  • Establishes a National Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative.
  • Enhances outreach and access to STEM education at all levels.
  • Reauthorizes Title VI International Education programs.

A factsheet is available here and a section-by-section summary is available here.

OSTP Releases Guidance for U.S. Scientific Research Security That Preserves International Collaboration

Posted on

Today the National Science and Technology Council, Joint Committee on the Research Environment (JCORE), released guidance for Federal departments and agencies on implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) on National Security Strategy for U.S. Government-Supported Research and Development.

The guidance addresses the below key elements of NSPM-33:

1) disclosure requirements and standardization;

2) digital persistent identifiers;

3) consequences for violation of disclosure requirements;

4) information sharing; and

5) research security programs.

As a next step, Dr. Eric Lander, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is directing agencies to develop model grant applications and instructions within 120 days that can be used by any funding agency.

In a press statement, Dr. Lander said “the implementation guidance reflects the principles I laid out in August: to protect America’s security and openness, to be clear so that well-intentioned researchers can easily and properly comply, and to ensure that policies do not fuel xenophobia or prejudice.”

You can read the full guidance here.

House Passes “Build Back Better” Package

Posted on

After months of intraparty discord among Democrats, both within the House and between chambers, the House passed early this morning the “Build Back Better” reconciliation package.  The House cleared the measure by a vote of 220 – 213, with one Democrat voting against it.  The vote was delayed to this morning after Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) spoke for more than eight hours against the package, lasting into the very early hours of this morning.

The package now goes to the Senate, where changes are likely, as at least one Democrat in that chamber has made clear his reservations about several parts of the House bill.

Read more about the vote and the next steps here and here.

USICA Goes to Conference

Posted on

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced in a joint statement that the bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260) will be conferenced to resolve differences between House and Senate versions. Although leadership in both chambers originally hoped to include the legislation in the upcoming FY 22 National Defense Authorization Act, Senate Republicans have indicated they would not support such a move. Conferencing brings the legislation one step closer to being signed into law.

If enacted, USICA would create a new NSF Directorate, authorize additional funding for semiconductor research, Department of Energy research, and tackle manufacturing and supply chain issues.

OSTP Listening Sessions on AI and Equity

Posted on

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced a series of listening sessions between November 18th-29th covering AI, data-driven technologies, and equity. The sessions will focus specifically on Public and Private Sector Uses of AI-Enabled Biometric Technologies.

Details and registration information can be found here.