DOE Funding Opportunity: Technologies to Produce Renewable Carbon Fiber from Biomass

Posted on February 3, 2014

The Energy Department today announced up to $12 million in funding to advance the production of cost-competitive, high-performance carbon fiber material from renewable non-food-based feedstocks such as agricultural residues and woody biomass. Carbon fiber derived from biomass may be less costly to manufacture and offer greater environmental benefits than traditional carbon fiber produced from natural gas or petroleum. This funding supports the Energy Department’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative, which is a cross-cutting effort to ensure U.S. manufacturers remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Senate HELP Committee Approves Cordova for NSF

Posted on January 29, 2014January 28, 2014

The Senate HELP Committee met in an Executive Session today and approved several Presidential nominations including Dr. Frances Cordova to be the Director of NSF.

The HELP Committee approved Dr. Cordova’s nomination last year (December 18, 2013). With a new year, the Committee must approve her nomination once again. From here, Dr. Cordova’s nomination will need to be approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the whole Senate as well.

White House to Release Budget March 4th

Posted on January 23, 2014January 23, 2014

The White House announced today that it will release the Administration’s FY 2015 budget proposal on March 4.

The Administration had been waiting on Congress to finalize FY 2014 appropriations before having the Office of Management and Budget move fully ahead with the Administration’s FY2015 Budget proposal. With House and Senate finalizing FY 2014 with the Omnibus Appropriations bill earlier in January, the Administration announced when they expect FY2015 to be public. March 4th is a month after the February 3 legally required deadline, where the budget must be presented to Congress between the first Monday in January an the first Monday in February.

OSTP Accepting Summer Intern Applications

Posted on January 22, 2014January 23, 2014

The Office of Science and Technology Policy is currently accepting applications for its Summer 2014 Internship Program. The application deadline is 11:59pm Friday, March 7. Students who are U.S. citizens and who will be actively enrolled during the 2014 academic year are welcome to apply.

More information and application instructions are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/about/student/.

About OSTP. The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the Federal Government.

About the Internship Program. Interns are accepted for one of three annual terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall), which each last no more than 90 days. While these positions are without compensation, the assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience, and network opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena.

For questions, please contact Rebecca Grimm rgrimm@ostp.eop.gov.

White House Establishes Task Force to Combat Sexual Assault on Campuses

Posted on January 22, 2014January 22, 2014

The Obama administration is beefing up a commitment to combating sexual violence on college campuses with the creation of a new task force and release of a new report Wednesday from the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Nearly one in five women have been raped in their lifetimes, and alcohol and drug use are exacerbating the violence, the report says. Most victims know their attackers, repeat victimization is common, and young women are especially at risk
Read the Memorandum establishing the Task Force here.