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Category: Grants

Hearing on Research Infrastructure

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The US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will host a hearing titled “Building Back the U.S. Research Enterprise: COVID Impacts and Recovery”.

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. EST (7:00 a.m. PST)
Place: Online via videoconferencing. Link will be posted here.
Witnesses:
• Dr. Sudip Parikh, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Dr. Christopher Keane, Vice President for Research, Washington State University
• Dr. Felice J. Levine, Executive Director, American Educational Research Association
• Mr. Thomas Quaadman, Executive Vice President, Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

JCORE Publishes Report on Research Security, White House Issues Accompanying Memo

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The National Science and Technology Council Joint Committee on the Research Environment, Subcommittee on Research Security released its final report Recommended Practices for Strengthening the Security and Integrity of America’s Science and Technology Research Enterprise. The report is developed by the Subcommittee, in coordination with the National Security Council, and aims to protect US research integrity and the R&D enterprise.

The document outlines several recommended practices for research organizations based on the following high-level objectives:

Demonstrate organizational leadership and oversight;
Establish an expectation of openness and transparency;
Provide and share training, support, and information;
Ensure effective mechanisms for compliance with organizational policies; and
Manage potential risks associated with collaborations and data.

The full report is available here. In addition, the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 33, available here, outlining guidance for agencies to implement best practices.  A fact sheet on the memo is available here.

Biden Announces Top Scientific Positions

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President-elect Joe Biden has announced several key scientific positions in his administration.

Dr. Eric Lander will serve as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the White House. Dr Lander is currently a professor at MIT. The President-elect also announced he will elevate the position to cabinet-level rank.

Dr. Francis Collins will continue serving as Director of the National Institutes of Health.

Several deputies were also announced. The full press release is available here.

Veterans Package Passes Both Chambers

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The Senate and House have now both passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (H.R.7105). The legislation provides assistance to veterans during the COVID-19 crisis and also includes provisions from the Protect GI Bill making certain changes to education benefits. Specifically, a new dual certification process, risk-based surveys, and monthly reporting for schools would be implemented. Although changes would aim to reduce overpayment risks, colleges would assume liability for such overpayments. Public colleges would also have to provide in-state tuition rates to all GI Bill students.

Now the bill will go to President Trump to be signed into law.

The full text of the bill is available here.

House Updates HEROES Act

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House Democrats have released an updated, smaller, “HEROES Act 2.0”, totaling approximately $2.2 trillion. This COVID relief bill would provide support for small businesses, airline workers, childcare, food security, the Census, education, local governments, and healthcare. Specifically, $39 billion would go to colleges and universities, $3 billion would go to research relief for NIH, and $2.9 billion would go to research relief for NSF. Research relief for other agencies is not included.

A one-pager is available here.

A vote is expected in the coming days. The Senate is not expected to take action, however negotiations between House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the Administration continue.