Science & 

Technology 

Highlights 

in the Second Year of the 

Trump Administration

“We stand at the birth of a new 

millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries

of space, to free the Earth from the

miseries of disease, and to harness the

energies, industries, and technologies of

tomorrow.”1

- President Donald J. Trump
Science & Technology Highlights — Year Two

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Foreword

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is charged with advising the President on how his 

Administration can effectively support the development and application of science and technology 

(S&T) for the benefit of the American people, the creation of new jobs and industries, the security of our 

homeland, the well-being of our Nation, and the prosperity of our people. The Trump Administration is 

ensuring the future is built in America by American workers for the good of the American people and 

true to American values. During the second year of the Trump Administration, OSTP has made great 

strides in supporting America’s bright future.

Welcoming a New Director

In January 2019, OSTP welcomed the confirmation of Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier as its new Director. Dr. 

Droegemeier brings to OSTP extreme weather expertise that has improved predictions and saved 

countless lives. He also has a deep knowledge in science policy from his time on the National Science 

Board over multiple administrations and a passion for science education. Dr. Droegemeier was a professor and Vice President of Research at the University of Oklahoma, where he taught for more than

three decades.

Developing National Strategies

OSTP has had an eye to the future, developing national strategies on education and emerging technology that have positioned America for success for generations to come. We restructured and streamlined 

Federal interagency collaboration on Research and Development (R&D) through the National Science 

and Technology Council. And we developed a new vision for ocean science and technology and released 

national strategies for 5G, advanced manufacturing, quantum information science, and STEM literacy 

for jobs of the future.

Hosting Marquee Events

Often, the best ideas come from getting the right people together in a room. OSTP hosted major events

that brought together industry leaders, CEOs, academics, nonprofit leaders, Nobel laureates, and government officials to discuss S&T subjects vital to our Nation’s future. In 2018 we gathered these leaders 

at the White House to discuss quantum information science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to chart a 

national course for coordinating and advancing research and development for these industries of the 

future.

Celebrating First-Time Achievements

This past year, our Nation also celebrated numerous milestones. President Trump signed new legislation encouraging innovation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technologies. Scientists at our national labs discovered a new way to domestically produce at scale medical isotopes to treat late-stage 

prostate cancer. America is home again to the world’s most powerful supercomputer, Summit. The 

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) includes the strongest digital trade commitments 

ever negotiated and presents Congress with an easy bipartisan win. The Defense Advanced Research 

Projects Agency launched a $2 billion AI investment to improve national security. And on June 19, 2018, 

the United States issued its 10 millionth patent, a testament to American ingenuity.

Looking back...

...at the second year of the Trump Administration, this document highlights merely a selection of our 

Nation’s tremendous S&T achievements.
Science & Technology Highlights — Year Two

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Science & Technology Highlights

5G and Rural Connectivity

“The growth in the availability of mobile 

wireless broadband connectivity over 

the past decade has reshaped the American 

experience — the way Americans work, 

learn, shop, run businesses, transport their 

families and goods across the Nation, farm, 

conduct financial transactions, consume 

entertainment, deliver and receive public 

safety services, and interact with one another.” 2 –President Trump

Developing a long-term national spectrum strategy. In October, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing agencies led by the Department of Commerce (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to 

develop a national strategy for spectrum policy that 

accelerates America’s deployment of 5G. This strategy will help ensure American leadership in 5G, fuel 

American job growth and economic prosperity, and 

protect our national security through technological 

advancement.3

Promoting public and private sector collaboration

to advance the Nation’s 5G innovation and dominance. In September, the White House gathered 

leaders from industry, government, and academia 

to discuss advancing American leadership in 5G.4

The Federal Communication Commission discussed 

its 5G FAST (Facilitate America’s Superiority in 5G 

Technology) plan, which will push more spectrum 

into the marketplace, update infrastructure policy, 

and modernize outdated regulations.5

Driving innovation in wireless technologies and 

connected communities. In April, the National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with an industry consortium of 28 computer networking companies and associations, initiated support for the development and deployment of the first two Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR).

6

These platforms, based in Salt Lake City and New 

York City, will enable early-stage research to push 

forward robust, new wireless devices, techniques, 

protocols, and services. The collaboration will enable promising technologies to move quickly to market, with potential benefits ranging from autonomous vehicles to real-time emergency management.

Coordinating agency actions to promote rural 

broadband deployment. In January 2018, the Rural 

Prosperity Task Force Report recommended the development of an interagency strategy to promote 

the deployment of broadband in rural America.7 In 

response, Federal agencies are taking action to increase private sector investment in broadband, including streamlining Federal permitting, leveraging 

Federal assets, and maximizing the impact of Federal funding.

Streamlining and expediting requests to locate 

broadband facilities in rural America. In January,

President Trump directed the General Services Administration (GSA) to examine the effectiveness of 

the existing Common Form application for locating 

communications facilities on Federal property. GSA 

collected feedback and is working with agencies to 

make improvements. In addition, the Department of 

Interior (DOI) was tasked with developing a plan to 

increase access to tower facilities to facilitate deployment of commercial broadband.8 The Administration and key agencies continue to implement 

the directives from the President and have made significant progress in increasing access.

Advanced Manufacturing

“Through clear-eyed economic and trade 

policies and advances made possible by 

cutting-edge research and development, 

American industry is thriving once 

again. Today, our country’s manufacturers 

are more confident than ever before about 

investing in factories and workers right 

here at home.”9 –President Trump

Ensuring national security and economic prosperity through leadership in advanced manufacturing. In the face of intense global competition, President Trump unveiled a National Strategic Plan on 

Advanced Manufacturing in October that focuses on 

defending the economy, expanding manufacturing

employment, and ensuring a strong manufacturing 
Science & Technology Highlights — Year Two

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and defense industrial base and a resilient supply 

chain.

10

Advancing manufacturing skills in the workforce.

From providing training for veterans to advancing 

technologies developed in the labs, the Federal network of Manufacturing USA institutes convened 

players across the manufacturing community to address the Nation’s pressing manufacturing technology and competitiveness needs. Through 2018, the 

institutes engaged more than 1,300 member organizations, sponsored more than 270 R&D projects, attracted more than $2 billion in private investment 

leveraging $1 billion in Federal funds, and equipped 

more than 200,000 people with advanced manufacturing skills needed to pursue high-paying jobs.11

Driving advancements to realize the potential of 

additive manufacturing. The Department of Energy 

(DOE) Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) 

at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has hosted over 

25,000 visitors in pursuit of state-of-the-art additive 

manufacturing technologies. Through over 130 Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, 

MDF collaborates with industry to develop advanced 

additive systems. Over 35 systems, totaling more 

than $12 million – with $7 million in systems awaiting arrival – are in use at the MDF today.12 In June, 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology 

(NIST) hosted 175 participants from industry and academia at the Additive Manufacturing Benchmarks 

2018 technical symposium to test and improve models used for process control and monitoring of additive manufacturing, a method that can revolutionize 

manufacturing sectors in terms of cost per part and 

system performance.

13

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

“We’re on the verge of new technological 

revolutions that could improve virtually

every aspect of our lives, create vast new 

wealth for American workers and families, 

and open up bold, new frontiers in science, 

medicine, and communication.”14

–President Trump

Multipronged approach to accelerating our national leadership in AI. The President is supporting 

American leadership in AI through his landmark February 11, 2019 Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial intelligence.15 The Administration will take a multipronged approach 

which includes several important pillars: prioritizing 

research and development investments in AI; 

strengthening AI infrastructure by making Federal 

data, model, and computing resources more available to AI R&D experts; improving AI governance by 

establishing guidance for AI development and use 

across technologies and industrial sectors; preparing our workforce with skills needed to adapt and 

thrive in the age of AI; and engaging internationally 

to promote an environment that supports AI R&D 

and opens markets for American AI Industries, while 

also protecting our AI technology advantage against 

foreign adversaries.

Unlocking the promise of AI for the American people. In May, the White House hosted the Artificial Intelligence for American Industry Summit to discuss 

the promise of AI and the policies needed to realize 

that promise for the American people and maintain 

United States leadership in the age of AI.16

Coordinating R&D leadership on AI. In May, the 

White House chartered a Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence under the National Science and 

Technology Council (NSTC) to plan and coordinate 

R&D efforts across the Federal enterprise to ensure 

continued United States leadership in AI.17

Updating the National AI R&D Strategic Plan. In 

September, the Select Committee on AI issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit input on the 

2016 National AI R&D Strategic Plan and to determine ways in which the strategy should be revised or 

improved. The responses to this RFI are informing an 

update to the strategic plan to help ensure that the 

United States continues to invest in cutting edge AI 

innovations.

18

Developing the next wave of AI technologies. In 

September, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched the $2 billion AI Next 

Campaign to create the next wave of AI technologies 

that can adapt to changing situations and demonstrate increased robustness, reliability, security, 

performance, and applications.

19

Delivering new AI-enabled capabilities in support 

of our national defense. In June, the Department of 

Defense (DOD) stood up the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center in response to the 2018 National De-
Science & Technology Highlights — Year Two

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fense Strategy to enable DOD to accelerate the delivery of new, AI-enabled capabilities and experiment with new operating concepts to support military missions and business functions.

20

Approving the first ever AI-based device for medical diagnostics. In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a component of the Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS), approved the 

first ever AI-based device for medical diagnostics to 

detect diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of 

blindness among working-age Americans.21 This device can be used for early detection of this disease to 

improve the healthcare screening of people with diabetes by primary care physicians who are not normally involved in eye care.

Piloting use of AI for regulatory compliance. Because of the variability in contracting practices 

across agencies, regulatory compliance of contracts 

is a time consuming and challenging task. In March, 

GSA announced a pilot program to address this challenge through the use of an AI-based tool that automatically determines whether an agency’s contract 

solicitation complies with Federal regulations.22

Gaining international recognition of the importance of AI. In March, OSTP negotiated the 2018 

G7 Innovation Ministers’ Statement on Artificial Intelligence, following an AI outcome document from 

the 2017 G7 innovation ministerial, which recognizes the importance of AI innovation for economic 

growth and supports efforts to promote trust in the 

adoption of AI technologies.

23 Outside of United 

States borders, the Administration is taking steps to 

ensure a fair and level playing field for AI technologies. At the World Trade Organization and in trade 

agreements like the United States-Mexico-Canada 

Agreement, the Administration is protecting United 

States intellectual property related to AI by limiting 

the ability of foreign governments to require disclosure of proprietary computer source code and algorithms to better protect the competitiveness of our 

digital suppliers, and promoting access to government-generated public data to enhance innovative 

use in commercial applications and services.

Shaping the human-technology partnership in the 

workplace. In 2018, NSF invested more than $25 

million in 26 projects to advance human-technology 

collaboration in the workplace and enhance productivity, innovation, and learning with technologies, 

including AI. 24 The awards were issued under the Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier (FWHTF) Big Idea, one of 10 Big Ideas for Future NSF investments.

25 These investments expanded NSF’s 

more than $100 million annual investment in fundamental AI research.

Advanced Transportation

“UAS [Unmanned Aircraft Systems] present opportunities to enhance the safety of 

the American public, increase the efficiency 

and productivity of American industry, and 

create tens of thousands of new American 

jobs.”26 –President Trump

Safely integrating drones into our national airspace. In 2017, President Trump directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Unmanned 

Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program, which 

the President signed into law with the 2018 Federal 

Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act.

27

In May 2018, the Department of Transportation

(DOT) selected 10 state, local, and tribal governments as participants in the Program.

28 Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of 

a new regulatory framework.

29 Safe integration of 

drones into national airspace will have immediate 

benefits for commerce, photography, emergency 

management, public safety, precision agriculture,

and infrastructure inspections. 30

Encouraging integration of safe new transportation technologies. As part of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, the Trump Administration is establishing 

new conditions for the recreational use of drones.31

In January 2019, DOT proposed new rules to allow 

drones to fly at night and over people without waivers under certain conditions and to further integrate 

drones safely into the national airspace system. DOT 

also announced the Unmanned Aircraft System Safe 

and Secure Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This proposal identifies major drone safety and 

security issues that may pose a threat to other aircraft, to people on the ground, or to national security. It solicited recommendations to reduce these 

risks as drones are integrated into our national airspace.32
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Encouraging safe integration of automated vehicles into transport systems. In October, DOT released new guidance for automated vehicles, entitled “Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0”. This report encourages the 

safe integration of automated vehicles into the multimodal surface transportation system.

33

Advancing the development of civil supersonic aircraft. In October, as part of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, the Trump Administration is taking a new 

look at supersonic air travel. The legislation initiates 

rulemaking activities on civil supersonic aircraft 

noise and supersonic flight-testing.34 Additionally, 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) continued research on methods to reduce 

sonic booms, completing a pivotal test flight in November.

35 In December, NASA and an outside partner began final design and initial manufacturing of 

the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft that will study how reducing sonic boom could 

lead to acceptance of supersonic flight over land.36

Cybersecurity

“Collaboration among all United States 

Government departments and agencies...

ha[s] improved Federal network cybersecurity, enhanced coordination with the private sector to protect critical infrastructure, 

strengthened our ability to detect and deter 

cyber threats, and expanded efforts to build 

the world’s best cybersecurity workforce.”37

–President Trump

Employing a new National Cyber Strategy to protect Americans in the digital domain. In September, 

President Trump released the first national cybersecurity strategy in 15 years.38 The National Cyber 

Strategy identifies decisive priority actions to protect the American people in the digital domain, including fostering and protecting American invention 

and innovation, which is critical to maintaining the 

United States’ strategic advantage in cyberspace, 

and prioritizing national critical infrastructure security and resilience research and development.39

Accelerating research, development, and demonstration of cyber-resilient energy delivery systems.

In February, DOE established a new Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response 

to focus on energy infrastructure security.

40 Among 

other missions, the Office will accelerate research, 

development, and demonstration of cyber-resilient 

energy infrastructure to reduce the risk that energy 

delivery might be disrupted by cyber incidents.

41

Establishing an implementation roadmap for Federal cybersecurity R&D. In August, the Administration developed the FY2019 implementation 

roadmap identifying projects and programs being 

planned or carried out in fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 

beyond, to meet the objectives of the 2016 Federal 

Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic 

Plan. The Administration, through the Networking 

and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program, also initiated an interagency 

effort to update the Federal strategic plan, to be released in 2019. A Request for Information was 

posted in the Federal Register to encourage public 

input on Federal priorities in cybersecurity R&D.42

Increasing awareness and adoption of cybersecurity risk-management best practices. In April, NIST 

published version 1.1 of the NIST Cybersecurity 

Framework, providing additional guidance on authentication and identity, self-assessing cybersecurity risk, managing cybersecurity within the supply 

chain, and addressing vulnerability disclosure. In 

the first six months of its release, V1.1 of the Framework has been downloaded more than 205,000 

times.43

Enhancing the resilience of the Internet and communications ecosystem. In May, DOC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a report that offers a guide to government, civil society, 

and industry actions that would dramatically reduce 

the threat of botnets and similar cyberattacks. The 

report, Enhancing the Resilience of the Internet and 

Communications Ecosystem Against Botnets and 

Other Automated, Distributed Threats, lists complementary goals and suggested actions that would improve the resilience of the Internet ecosystem.44

Digital Economy

“We will support a vibrant and resilient 

digital economy.”45 –President Trump

Preventing international restrictions on digital 

trade and cross-border data flows. The United 

States reached agreement with Mexico and Canada
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on the USMCA: a new chapter covering Digital Trade.

When enacted, this agreement will include the strongest digital trade commitments ever negotiated.46

Leading negotiations in support of the digital economy. OSTP worked with other countries to prevent 

regulatory barriers to the digital economy, promote 

the flow of information, and oppose data localization requirements through negotiated language at 

international fora such as the G20, the G7, the East 

Asia Summit, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Environment

“We cherish our magnificent land and waterways, abundant natural resources, and 

unique wildlife. As a Nation, it is our duty 

to recognize the importance of these lifesustaining gifts, and it is our responsibility 

to protect them for our own benefit and 

that of generations to come.”47 –President 

Trump

Addressing critical gaps in understanding drinking 

water contaminants. In October, the Task Force on 

Emerging Contaminants released a cross agency 

plan for addressing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), research gaps, existing programs and 

activities related to the gaps, and opportunities for 

strategic partnerships.48 This new plan addresses 

critical research gaps related to detecting, assessing 

exposure, and identifying potential adverse health 

effects of emerging contaminants in drinking water.

Meeting the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water. In October, DOE announced the 

launch of the Water Security Grand Challenge, a 

White House initiated, DOE led framework to advance transformational technology and innovation 

to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water. Using a suite of prizes, competitions, 

early-stage research and development funding opportunities, and critical partnerships, the Water Security Grand Challenge sets ambitious goals for the 

United States to reach by 2030. DOE will partner with 

the Environmental Protection Agency to bring clean 

and safe water to communities across the country.49

Advancing seismic research. Data acquired by the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the U.S. Atlantic 

Margin in August revealed new information about 

the distribution of gas hydrates and other geological 

structures stretching from the upper continental 

slope to deep water areas offshore New Jersey to 

North Carolina. USGS, DOE, and the Bureau of Ocean 

Energy Management (BOEM), sponsored a Mid-Atlantic Resource Imaging Experiment (MATRIX) which 

acquired marine seismic data that will be used for 

decades to support broader analyses of the margin’s 

hazards, stratigraphy, deep structure, and ecosystems by the USGS, other agencies, and the academic 

community.50

Energy Dominance

“America’s future has never been brighter, 

and American energy is leading the way in 

providing jobs, opportunity, and security 

for our Nation.”51 –President Trump

Reviving and expanding our nuclear energy sector. 

On January 14, 2019, President Trump signed into 

law the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. This legislation will accelerate licensing for 

advanced nuclear reactors.52 In September 2018,

President Trump also signed into law the Nuclear 

Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, the first standalone nuclear innovation legislation which calls for 

DOE to build a Versatile Neutron Source and to establish a National Reactor Innovation Center so that 

our innovators can build pre-commercial reactor 

prototypes here in America.

53 These two laws are 

critical steps to revive and expand our nuclear energy sector. DOE, in partnership with private industry, is also making excellent progress in developing 

Accident Tolerant Fuels to further enhance nuclear 

fuel reliability and the economics of nuclear reactor 

operations.54 The successful development of Accident Tolerant Fuels will enhance the safety and efficiency of our nuclear fleet.

Achieving energy dominance in exports of crude oil 

and natural gas. In 2018, the United States became 

the world’s top producer of crude oil.

55 In addition, 

United States natural gas exports in the first half of 

2018 were more than double the 2017 average. The 

increase in shale oil and gas production follows 

years of investment and research carried out by DOE 

and industry joint ventures.

56
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Pursuing game-changing off-grid small mobile nuclear reactors. DOD, supported by DOE, is evaluating the development of small mobile nuclear reactor 

designs that can address electrical power needs in 

rapid response scenarios. Small mobile nuclear reactors can make our domestic infrastructure resilient to 

an electrical grid attack by making more energy available and by drastically simplifying the complex fuel logistical lines that currently support existing power generators operating mostly on diesel fuel.

57

Producing high-assay low-enriched uranium. DOE 

announced that it will fabricate high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel from the HALEU currently stored at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), 

which is critical for many advanced nuclear technologies.58 This will support near-term research, development, and demonstration needs for advanced reactor designs. These technologies allow for smaller 

plant sizes, longer core life, and higher burnup of nuclear waste. There is currently no commercial source 

of HALEU. In addition, DOE is planning to fund a 

demonstration project of United States enrichment 

technology to provide a strong signal to potential 

vendors that there will be a proven domestic capability 

to produce HALEU when the market demands it.

Health and Medicine

“We will work every day to ensure all 

Americans have access to the quality, affordable medication they need and they 

deserve.”59 –President Trump

Improving veterans’ health. DOE and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) built on the Million Veteran Program (MVP) Computational Health Analytics 

for Medical Precision to Improve Outcomes Now, a 

partnership launched in 2017 to leverage next-generation AI and supercomputing technologies to improve health outcomes for veterans.60 Priority areas 

include suicide prevention, opioid abuse, and traumatic brain injury. Veterans with cancer who receive 

treatment from the VA will now have easier access to 

clinical trials of novel cancer treatments, thanks to 

the VA and HHS’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) Interagency Group to Accelerate Trials Enrollment, or 

NAVIGATE.61 Launched in July 2018 at 12 VA facilities 

across the country, NAVIGATE will enhance the ability of veterans to participate in trials carried out 

through NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network and 

the NCI Community Oncology Research Program.

Galvanizing research to address the world’s leading infectious cause of death. In 2018, the United 

States government led the world in funding the 

global effort to increase access to tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment, prevention and care, particularly 

in countries with the highest burden of disease. Accelerating research and innovation, including 

through collaborative research efforts and furthering of private sector partnerships, is one of four core 

pillars of the U.S. Global Tuberculosis Strategy. The 

United States government successfully mobilized increased commitments and funding from high-burden countries and other donors in support of this 

goal at the first-ever United Nations High-Level 

Meeting on Tuberculosis in September 2018.62

Using space to better understand health. HHS’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for 

Advancing Translational Sciences partnered with 

the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory to send tissue chips into space to better understand the physiological changes experienced by astronauts when traveling in space, such as bone loss, 

muscle deterioration, and altered immune systems.63 The launch will contribute to valuable 

knowledge on aging and may lead to the development of novel therapies. Also in 2018, NASA Twins 

Study investigators presented detailed findings following two years of research evaluating identical 

twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly.64 In this firstof-its-kind national cooperative effort, investigators 

compared biological samples from the twins to 

study the impacts of extended time in space, following Scott Kelly’s historic year living on the International Space Station. The first application of genomics 

to evaluate potential risks to the human body in space, 

the Twins Study is a stepping stone towards long-duration human space exploration missions.

Advancing precision medicine. On May 6, NIH, an 

HHS component, opened national enrollment for 

the All of Us Research Program, a momentous effort 

to advance individualized prevention, treatment,

and care for people of all backgrounds.65 The overall 

aim is to enroll one million or more volunteers and 

account for communities that have been underrepresented in biomedical research to make the 

program the largest, most diverse resource of its 

kind. The program will enable such research to more 
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precisely prevent and treat a variety of health conditions.

Providing the best tools to biomedical researchers.

HHS’s NIH launched the STRIDES (Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability) Initiative to harness 

the power of commercial cloud computing; provide 

NIH biomedical researchers with access to the most 

advanced, cost-effective computational infrastructure, tools, and services available; and reduce economic and technological barriers to accessing and 

computing on large biomedical data sets to accelerate biomedical advances.66NIH also released its first 

Strategic Plan for Data Science that provides a 

roadmap for modernizing the NIH-funded biomedical data science ecosystem.67

Reducing underage vaping and smoking. This year, 

FDA has worked aggressively to address youth use of 

e-cigarettes. In April, FDA launched a Youth Tobacco 

Prevention Plan, a series of actions to stop youth use 

of tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes.68 In November, FDA, a component of HHS, announced a 

new policy to address central problems to the increasing youth use of electronic nicotine delivery 

systems (ENDS) which includes addressing flavored 

ENDS products and cigars and ENDS products marketed to youth.69

Ensuring sufficient supply of valuable medical isotopes. One of the most breathtaking developments 

in cancer treatment is recent success in trials that 

treat metastasized late-stage prostate cancer with 

the use of the alpha-emitting isotope Actinium-225 

(Ac-225). The DOE Isotope Program formed a Tri-Laboratory Collaboration of scientists at Brookhaven, 

Los Alamos, and Oak Ridge National Laboratories to 

develop large-scale production capacity of Ac-225 to 

ensure sufficient supply and help advance the promising medical uses of this isotope.70 In addition, 

DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration 

(NNSA) helped ensure a reliable supply of a vital 

medical isotope, which resulted in approval by FDA

of the first domestically produced, non-uranium 

based molybdenum-99 (Mo-99). Mo-99 is the most 

widely used radioisotope in medical diagnostic imaging. One of NNSA’s partners developed the RadioGenixTM System and neutron capture process to 

produce Mo-99 without the use of highly enriched 

uranium. Until now, the United States has had to rely 

on foreign producers to import 100 percent of its Mo99 supply.71

Driving innovation in bioscience.NIST is developing 

the building blocks for bioscience by making high 

quality reference data and standardized materials 

available to enable confidence in gene sequencing 

and drug design through collaborative partnerships 

such as the Consortium for the Advancement of Genome Editing, announced in early 2018.

72 NIST 

works with industry experts to develop international 

standards and hosts the Standards Coordinating 

Body, focused on accelerating regenerative medicine therapies.

73

Improving healthcare records interoperability. The 

Office of American Innovation held a series of White 

House Roundtables throughout 2018 to improve the 

interoperability of healthcare records. In February, 

the White House convened stakeholders to discuss 

various barriers to electronic health record interoperability and opportunities to address these barriers. In August, the White House hosted the Blue Button 2.0 Developer Conference, which brought together developers to learn and share insights on 

how to leverage claims data to best serve the Medicare population.74 In December, the White House 

hosted an Executive Forum focused on Electronic 

Health Record (EHR) interoperability, bringing together several noted health IT experts from across 

the Nation to discuss the best role for government, 

technical standards and authentication, patient and 

physician engagement, and possibilities for publicprivate partnerships.75

Putting patients first. In March, HHS announced the 

Trump Administration’s initiative to put patients at 

the center of the United States healthcare system.76

This initiative, MyHealthEData, empowers patients 

by giving them control of their healthcare data, and 

allowing their data to follow them through their 

healthcare journey. In support of this new initiative, 

the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 

announced the launch of Medicare’s Blue Button 2.0 

API (Application Programming Interface), a new and 

secure way for Medicare beneficiaries to access and 

share their personal health data in a universal, 

standards-based digital format.
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High Performance 

Computing and Advanced 

Electronics

“These new systems represent the next 

generation in supercomputing and will be 

critical tools both for our Nation’s scientists 

and for U.S. industry.”77 –Secretary Perry

Unveiling the world’s most powerful and smartest 

supercomputers. In June, DOE’s Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory unveiled Summit, the world’s most powerful and AI-capable scientific supercomputer. Summit will be used to make breakthrough discoveries 

in fields as diverse as genomics, extreme weather, 

materials science, and physics.78 In addition, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory unveiled Sierra in October, ranked the second-fastest supercomputer in the world on the latest TOP500 list. Sierra will provide high-fidelity simulations in support 

of NNSA’s core mission of ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the Nation’s nuclear stockpile.

79

Advancing the future of advanced domestic electronic systems. Critical DOD systems and platforms 

rely on advanced electronics to address national security objectives. To help tackle obstacles facing a 

half-century of electronics advancement, DARPA 

launched in December the Electronics Resurgence 

Initiative (ERI) – a five year, upwards of $1.5 billion 

investment in the future of domestic electronic systems.80

Developing novel materials for advanced computing systems. DOC, NIST, and its partners in the 

Nanoelectronic Computing Research (nCORE) consortium awarded funding for a new research center 

to focus on novel materials for advanced computing 

systems. The multi-university partnership, Center 

for Spintronic Materials in Advanced Information 

Technologies (SMART), will develop innovative 

memory and processing architectures for future 

computing paradigms, including neuromorphic 

computing, probabilistic computing, in-memory 

computing, and wave-based information processing.81

Building the Nation’s most powerful academic 

high-performance computing system. On September 1, NSF made a $60 million award82 to fund the 

largest and most powerful supercomputer the 

agency has ever supported to serve the Nation's science and engineering research community. The new 

high-performance computing system, to be called 

Frontera, will be located at the University of Texas at 

Austin's Texas Advanced Computing Center.

83

Advancing science through cloud computing partnerships. On November 15, NSF announced a cooperative agreement to Internet2,

84 a nonprofit computer networking consortium, for the Exploring 

Clouds for Acceleration of Science (E-CAS) project. ECAS will investigate the viability of commercial 

clouds for leading-edge research and computational 

science supporting a range of academic disciplines.

Homeland and National 

Security

“My Administration is focused on 

strengthening our Nation’s defenses 

against the full range of threats to our 

health and security, including those of a biological nature.”85 –President Trump

Protecting the homeland from biological threats. 

The White House published a National Biodefense 

Strategy which will address the full range of biological threats, including those that are naturally occurring, deliberate, and accidental—a first for the 

United States Government. The strategy will ensure 

a vibrant and innovative national science and technology base to support biodefense.

86 Implementation of the strategy will be led by HHS.

Re-designating the Defense Innovation Unit. The 

Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) was 

made a permanent part of DOD, reflecting the Unit’s 

permanence. The Unit fosters innovation across the 

Department and experiments with new ways of delivering capability to the warfighter.

87

Driving the Army’s modernization efforts. In February 2019, Army Futures Command was launched to 

drive the service’s modernization efforts – one of the 

most significant reorganizations since 1973.88 Army 

Futures Command will focus on development of improved long-range precision fires, a next-generation 

combat vehicle, future vertical lift platforms, a mobile and expeditionary Army network, air and missile 

defense capabilities, and soldier lethality.89
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Restructuring to drive innovation and advancing 

warfighting capability. In February, DOD finalized a 

major restructuring required by the 2017 National 

Defense Authorization Act. This restructuring established a separate Undersecretary of Defense (USD)

for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S) and an Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (R&E). The USD R&E will drive innovation and accelerate the advancement of the Nation’s warfighting capability, while the USD A&S will deliver 

proven technology into the hands of the warfighter 

more quickly and affordably.90

Protecting America’s critical infrastructure. In 

July, DHS established the National Risk Management Center (NRMC), an initiative driven by industry 

needs to create a cross-cutting risk management approach between the private sector and government 

to adequately defend our Nation’s critical infrastructure.91 The NRMC will identify, assess, and prioritize 

risks to national functions, integrate cross-sector activities on the development of risk management 

strategies and approaches to manage risks to national functions, and incubate strategic risk management initiatives. It will provide a simple and single point of access to the full range of government 

activities to defend against the cyber threat across 

sectors.

Lab-to-Market

“The drive for excellence, advancement, 

and innovation in the United States has 

brought forth significant discoveries, developed life-saving research, and improved 

the quality of life for millions of Americans.”92–President Trump

Unleashing American innovation. In April, OSTP 

and NIST held a symposium with leaders across government, industry, and academia to address systemic barriers to reaching the full potential of American innovation. The event launched the Lab-to-Market Cross Agency Priority goal, part of the President’s Management Agenda.

93 Agencies across the 

Executive branch convene through the NSTC Lab-toMarket subcommittee to enhance the Nation’s technology transfer efforts.

Supporting innovative tools and services for technology transfer. In July, DOE launched the Lab Partnering Service, an online, single streamlined point of 

access for industry to connect to experts at the National Laboratories.94 In September, the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) 

launched FLC Business 3.0, incorporating user feedback to improve this clearinghouse of Federal Laboratory information, including a technology locator 

chat service that provides personalized advice.95 As 

part of the President’s Management Agenda, the Administration seeks to improve engagement with private sector technology development experts and investors to enable even greater return on the Federal 

government’s investment in research and development.

Stimulating commercialization of federally funded 

R&D. In December, NIST announced steps to modernize the United States system of technology transfer and innovation for the 21st century.96 Based on 

broad inputs from key public and Federal stakeholders, the Administration will reduce regulatory and 

administrative burdens; increase private sector engagement; support entrepreneurship in R&D; develop new tech transfer tools; and improve methods 

of measuring the effectiveness of R&D investments.

Elevating commercialization. In September, DOE 

began InnovationXLab Summits. The XLab series is 

designed to increase engagement of the National 

Labs with the private sector on high-impact, potentially transformative technologies. In November, 

DOE announced the appointment of its first Chief 

Commercialization Officer.97 This year DOE implemented expanded use of Agreements for Commercializing Technology (ACT) that facilitate the ability 

of lab contractors to engage with industry more flexibly on tech transfer projects.

Celebrating American innovation. In June, the 

United States Patent and Trademark Office issued 

U.S. patent number 10 million, marking a milestone 

in human ingenuity since the first patent was signed 

by George Washington in 1790. This was the first patent to use a newly designed U.S. patent cover, redesigned for only the second time in 100 years.98
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Natural Disaster 

Resilience

“Disaster response and recovery is best 

achieved when it’s federally supported, 

state-managed, and locally executed.”99

–President Trump

Preparing for natural disasters. On May 30, OSTP 

hosted a workshop on Whole Community Hurricane 

Information Flows where approximately 100 participants discussed ideas and opportunities to better 

share data and information in support of local, state, 

and Federal situational awareness and response in 

disasters.100 In August, NIST published an exploratory technical report on research needs for building 

standards and codes that could ensure the rapid recovery and continued operation of buildings after 

natural disasters.101 Throughout 2017-2018, DOE 

worked to enhance the capabilities of its Environment for Analysis of Geo-Located Energy Information (EAGLE-I) system, capitalizing on the capabilities of the DOE National Laboratories.102 These 

enhancements are improving situational awareness 

on the status of energy infrastructure and incorporating predictive modeling, to improve preparedness and response efforts across State and Federal 

partners.

Sharing information in disasters. Throughout 2017 

and 2018, the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA) enhanced and utilized Disasters.Geoplatform.Gov to provide a unified environment for 

community partners to publish, share, and access 

authoritative geospatial data, high-resolution imagery, and advanced web-mapping applications 

used during disaster operations.103

Improving earthquake and tsunami resilience. Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USGS have completed the first high-resolution, comprehensive

mapping of one of the world’s fastest moving underwater tectonic faults in southeastern Alaska.104 The 

seafloor mapping data will help communities in 

coastal Alaska and Canada better understand and 

prepare for the earthquakes and tsunamis. Also in 

support of this goal, NSF funded an expedition in 

New Zealand to better understand how shallow 

earthquakes and underwater landslides lead to tsunamis.105 Additionally, President Trump in December reauthorized the interagency National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, led by NIST to 

foster interagency coordination to assess and monitor earthquake hazards and risk in the United 

States.106

Leading the world in hurricane prediction. During 

the 2017-2018 Hurricane Season, NOAA provided 

highly accurate and timely forecasts of hurricanes 

that impacted the United States, saving countless 

lives and protecting property.107 The National Hurricane Center was able to predict the landfall location 

of Hurricane Florence within two miles of the observed landfall with five days lead time. This is a record setting weather forecast, and NOAA is investing 

in its weather prediction to make forecasts like these 

more common. Notably, NOAA made great strides in 

preparing its next generation weather forecasting 

model, known as the Finite Volume on a Cubedsphere (FV3) model. This vanguard weather-modeling program is the realization of years of atmospheric modeling research and relies on cutting edge 

satellite observations and ocean measurement, 

which together drive the fastest and most accurate 

forecasting model the Nation has ever deployed. 

This new model will help meteorologists prepare 

more accurate forecasts to save lives and property.

Supporting wildfire response with science and 

technology. U.S. Forest Service fire scientists, along 

with Federal and state partners, applied advanced 

risk analysis tools to enhance firefighter and public 

safety and operational effectiveness during the 2018 

fire season, notably including quantitative assessments of wildfire risk, firefighter hazards, response 

opportunities, and real-time monitoring of aerial 

suppression outcomes.108 The U.S. Forest Service 

provided real-time, regional smoke maps and forecasts that were used to plan suppression activities 

and aircraft operations and to inform local governments and the public about potential air quality and 

health impacts.109 Also, NASA’s Disasters program 

provided fire-related satellite products to help people on the ground and to assess wildfire impacts, including estimates of power outages and damaged 

structures, as seen from space.110

Improving our Nation’s preparedness to address 

near-Earth objects. In July, the Trump Administration released a national plan for reducing the risk of 

near-Earth object impacts.111 The plan identifies a 

path to increased national preparedness across five 
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strategic goals: characterizing the threat, advancing 

our ability to predict consequences and mitigation 

outcomes, developing means to prevent asteroid 

impacts, working with international partners, and 

strengthening and exercising emergency procedures and protocols.

Using UAS-mounted technology to study volcanoes 

and improve response. For the first time, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) technology was used 

to monitor and respond to a United States volcanic 

eruption.112 During the Kīlauea volcanic eruption in 

Hawaii, USGS used UAS technology, including newly 

developed sensors, to map lava boundaries, identify 

new break-out points and overflow sites, detect 

property and infrastructure damage, map topographic changes due to collapse events, as well as to 

provide information on lava flow velocity and dangerous airborne gases like SO2. A USGS drone was 

credited with saving a life directly, and USGS personnel supported the Hawaii Emergency Operations to 

keep the response team apprised of data and developments.113

Transforming public safety broadband. Throughout 2018, DOC’s First Responder Network Authority 

(FirstNet) made significant progress deploying and 

operating a truly nationwide, interoperable broadband public safety network for our Nation.114 The 

FirstNet network supports the mission critical efforts of more than 425,000 subscribers across 5,250 

public safety agencies.

Modernizing the Nation’s 911 centers. In August, 

DOC’s NTIA and DOT’s National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA) adopted final rules 

for a grant program that will offer up to $110 million 

to help states, territories, tribal organizations, and 

the District of Columbia upgrade their 911 call centers to Next Generation (NG911) capabilities.115

Ocean Science

“The United States is a Nation whose identity, wealth, and security are inextricably 

linked with the ocean and coastal waters. From sea to shining sea, Americans 

benefit from the ocean’s bounty — from the 

industries it supports and the jobs it creates.”116–President Trump

Promoting the ocean economy, ocean security, and 

ocean environment. On June 19, President Trump 

signed Executive Order 13840, establishing an ocean 

policy to advance the economic, security, and environmental interests of the United States.117 The new 

ocean policy establishes an interagency Ocean Policy Committee to streamline Federal coordination, 

empowers States through Federal engagement with 

state-led Regional Ocean Partnerships, and focuses 

on growing the ocean economy, prioritizing scientific research, coordinating resources and data sharing, and engaging with stakeholders.118

Ensuring United States leadership in ocean science 

and technology. The NSTC released a ten-year plan 

identifying pressing research needs and areas of opportunity within the ocean science and technology 

enterprise for the decade 2018-2028. Produced by 

the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST), this interagency plan presents a decadal

vision for an innovative and collaborative ocean science and technology enterprise that promotes 

American security and prosperity while conserving 

the marine environment for present and future generations.119

Increasing maritime awareness. At the start of the 

year, DARPA began implementation of its new 

Oceans of Things program to enable persistent maritime situational awareness over large ocean areas 

by deploying thousands of small, low-cost floats to 

form a distributed sensor network. Each smart float 

would contain a suite of commercially available sensors to collect environmental data such as ocean 

temperature, sea state, and location, as well as data 

about commercial vessels, aircraft, and marine 

mammals moving through the area.120

Enhancing ocean data tools. NOAA and BOEM developed the Ocean Reporting Tool - a web-based application that provides geospatial analysis (of biological, navigational, military, social, economic, 

physical, and chemical parameters) for exploring, 

permitting, siting, and de-conflicting ocean uses 

such as fishing, aquaculture, recreation, conservation, energy, and military development. The ocean 

big data app, realized by IT advances and decades of 

environmental data collection, will allow the United 

States to remain competitive as ocean development 

continues its exponential growth through the 21st 

century.

121
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Supporting marine industry with Big Data. NOAA 

developed new computer-generated daily maps 

(EcoCast) that will help fishermen locate the most 

productive fishing spots, while warning them where 

they face the greatest risk of entangling sea-turtles, 

marine mammals, and other protected species. EcoCast will improve the economic and environmental 

sustainability of our Nation's fisheries. This big data 

(digital) tool is augmenting and may eventually replace expensive, depletive, and less accurate analog 

surveys, while also improving fishing efficiency and 

reduction of bycatch.

122

Revolutionizing fisheries monitoring. NOAA developed innovative monitoring tools to identify and 

measure fish from digital images.123 The agency deployed camera systems to record catches on fishing 

boats and remotely monitored compliance with 

Federal fisheries, assessed fish populations, and collected bycatch information more efficiently by using 

machine vision technology. While involving manned 

aircraft, new technological advances allow this effort to transition to unmanned aircraft systems complementing Federal fleets of unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles that also 

monitor fishing.

Opioid Epidemic Response

“Defeating this epidemic will require the 

commitment of every state, local, and Federal agency. Failure is not an option. Addiction is not our future. We will liberate 

our country from this crisis. And we will 

raise a drug-free generation of American 

children.”124 –President Trump

Year of historic action to combat the opioid crisis. 

In October, President Trump hosted 21 private-sector and nonprofit partners who are stepping up to 

solve the opioid crisis. Their innovative and groundbreaking work is promising for the millions of Americans who struggle with addiction or support loved 

ones who do. The Trump Administration has applied 

an all-of-Government approach to the epidemic, allowing each agency and department to do their part 

to help the cause.125 To support this initiative, the 

Surgeon General of HHS’s Public Health Service 

Commissioned Corps released his “Spotlight on Opioids” report released in September; the report assembles opioid-related information from the Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health 

into one document to better inform the general public, especially family and friends of people with an elevated risk of opioid overdose, opioid misuse, 

and/or opioid use disorder.126

Combating the opioid crisis in rural America. To 

help rural leaders build an effective local response 

to the opioid crisis, the United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) is providing resources to build infrastructure, facilitate partnerships, and drive innovation in rural communities.127 The White House Rural Opioid Federal Interagency Working Group is 

working alongside the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to help address 

the opioid crisis by improving coordination of Federal response in the Nation’s rural communities.128

Reducing access to and the supply of opioids. In October, President Trump furthered his commitment 

to addressing the opioid crisis and signed H.R. 6, the 

“Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes 

Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and 

Communities Act,” which addresses the opioid crisis 

by reducing access to and the supply of opioids and 

by expanding access to prevention, treatment, and 

recovery services.129 Researchers at NIST developed 

screening techniques to help protect the people on 

the front lines in the battle against opioids, from first 

responders to evidence examiners, from lethal exposure to synthetic opioids.130

Ending addiction long-term. At the 2018 National Rx 

Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, NIH (an HHS component) announced the launch of the HEAL (Helping 

to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative, an aggressive, trans-agency effort to speed scientific solutions 

to stem the national opioid public health crisis.131

Toward this effort, NIH has nearly doubled funding 

for research on opioid misuse/addiction and pain 

from approximately $600 million in fiscal year 2016 

to $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2018. NIH’s efforts contribute to a government-wide push to meet the President’s goal of ending the opioid crisis.

R&D to stem the opioid crisis. The NSTC published a 

groundbreaking plan that identifies R&D critical to 

addressing key gaps in knowledge and tools, and opportunities to improve coordination of Federal R&D 

essential to combating the opioid crisis.132 It builds 

on the recommendations from the President’s Com-
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mission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis report, as well as recommendations from 

multiple other sources. In November, NIH called for 

public comment on the draft report. OSTP will issue 

the final updated report in 2019.

Polar Science

“The Arctic region has strategic and economic importance.”133–President Trump

Shaping the course of Arctic research. In October, 

NSF, NOAA, and the United States Arctic Research 

Commission represented the Administration at the 

Arctic Science Ministerial held in Berlin, Germany.134

International partners signed a Joint Statement 

committing to strengthening, integrating, and sustaining Arctic observations, facilitating access to 

Arctic data, and sharing Arctic research infrastructure; understanding the regional and global dynamics of Arctic change; and assessing the vulnerability 

and building resilience of Arctic environments and 

societies.

Navigating the new Arctic. As part of NSF’s 10 “Big 

Ideas” for future investment at the frontiers of science and engineering, the agency seeks innovations 

in Arctic observational networks and fundamental 

convergence research across sciences to accomplish goals such as informing United States national 

security and economic development needs and enabling resilient, sustainable Arctic communities.135

Mapping polar regions. In September, NASA 

launched a new satellite, the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), continuing NASA’s 

measurements of Earth’s frozen reaches with unprecedented accuracy.136 Revealing previously unmapped surface and subsurface features of ice 

sheets and glaciers in Antarctica and around the 

world, new data from ICESat-2 will improve forecasts and understanding of mechanisms controlling 

ice sheet changes.

137

Pioneering Federal coordination of monitoring in 

the Arctic. The Office of Naval Research (ONR), 

NOAA, NASA, NSF, DOI, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy 

are, for the first time, coordinating the deployment 

of aerial, surface, and subsurface autonomous vehicles; manned aircraft; satellites; and sensors on the 

seafloor, in the water, and on the ice to gather and 

synthesize a massive array of data that will be used 

to advance military and civil capabilities in the region and for the Nation as a whole. Building on 

ONR’s Stratified Ocean Dynamics of the Arctic 

(SODA) project,

138 data from this interagency mission will inform how sound travels underwater in the 

Arctic, improve forecasting accuracy for extreme 

weather events in the Arctic and in the continental 

United States, and contribute to improved shortterm ice forecasts to help the U.S. Coast Guard and 

other authorities define and regulate the trans-Arctic shipping season.139

Modernizing Antarctica’s research infrastructure. 

The Administration’s Antarctic Infrastructure Modernization for Science (AIMS) project to improve 

McMurdo Station is designed to meet anticipated 

science support needs for the next 30 to 50 years.

140

AIMS will enable a range of critical scientific research capabilities such as nuclear test detection, 

earthquake monitoring, and real-time weather data 

ingestion for global forecasting. In 2018, the AIMS 

completed important pre-construction activities, 

including breaking ground on a new communications facility and embarking on pre-construction 

advanced design to prepare the project for construction once approvals are in place.141

Privacy

“A vibrant economy, fueled by consumer 

confidence, is at the heart of American 

prosperity.”142–President Trump

Protecting individual privacy while fostering innovation. In September, DOC’s NTIA requested comments on a proposed approach to advance consumer privacy while protecting prosperity and innovation.143 The public submitted feedback on a set of 

user-centric privacy outcomes that underpin the 

protections that should be produced by any Federal 

actions on consumer-privacy policy, and a set of 

high-level goals that should be created to provide 

those protections. Through a risk-based flexibility 

approach, the Administration is taking steps to ensure that users benefit from dynamic uses of their information, while still expecting organizations to appropriately minimize risks to users’ privacy.

Managing privacy risks. NIST initiated development of a Privacy Framework that it envisions will be 

a voluntary tool for organizations to better identify, 
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assess, manage, and communicate about privacy 

risks so that individuals can enjoy the benefits of innovative technologies with greater confidence and 

trust.144NIST issued a request for information to solicit information regarding organizational considerations for privacy risk management, the structure of 

the Privacy Framework, and specific privacy practices to be included.145

Building trust in privacy practices. Individual trust 

in the privacy and security of personally identifiable 

information is a foundation of trust in government 

and commerce in the 21st Century. In March, the International Trade Administration (ITA) within DOC

announced enhancement for procedures conducting periodic compliance reviews under the Privacy 

Shield program.146 These enhancements are intended to strengthen the administration and supervision of the Privacy Shield Framework, increasing 

the confidence of participants in the Framework and 

of EU individuals that their data will be protected. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is holding Privacy Shield participating companies accountable 

for their privacy protection activities.

Quantum Information 

Science

“It’s critical the United States, guided by 

American values and powered by the 

American workforce, drives quantum innovation and discovery on the world 

stage.”147 –Michael Kratsios

Accelerating development of Quantum Information Science (QIS). In December, the President 

signed the National Quantum Initiative Act into law. 

This bipartisan legislation establishes a coordinated 

multiagency program to support research and development in QIS.

148 In addition, the President 

signed the National Defense Authorization Act in August, which directs DOD to develop a National Defense Science and Technology Strategy and to establish a coordinated R&D program in QIS.

149

Advancing collaboration in quantum. In September, the White House convened 14 Federal agencies, 

Nobel Laureates, technical experts, international luminaries, university leaders, American business 

leaders, and renowned academics and researchers 

who are prioritizing QIS in their own departments, 

agencies, laboratories, and companies. Summit attendees participated in breakout sessions focused 

on taking a science-first approach to QIS development, creating a quantum-smart workforce, and engaging with the innovative ecosystem surrounding 

QIS.150

Developing a national strategic overview for QIS.

In September, the NSTC’s Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science published a strategic overview for QIS and established next policy steps for implementation.151 This was followed by a NSF request 

for information from the community to inform the 

subcommittee as they develop a potential implementation plan.

152

Coordinating and directing quantum research efforts. The Administration is actively coordinating 

and directing millions of dollars for quantum R&D. 

DOE has announced $218 million in funding for the 

emerging field of QIS, and NSF has awarded $14 million to develop the first practical quantum computer.

153 In September, NIST announced the creation of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium that will work to expand United States leadership in quantum research and support the growing industry in this important sector.

154

Breaking the boundaries of quantum measurement. Scientists at NIST, as part of the NIST-on-aChip program, are creating prototypes for small, inexpensive, low-power and easily manufactured 

quantum-based sensors. One example is a chipscale device for measuring important quantities 

such as length. The device works by using a laser to 

probe atoms to generate infrared light at a precise 

wavelength. The prototype device demonstrates 

that these sensors could be mass-produced like 

semiconductors, using silicon materials and traditional chip-manufacturing techniques to make advanced measurements available to a much broader 

suite of applications.155
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R&D Fundamentals

“America has long led the world in innovation and technological advancement. 

American ingenuity has launched industries, created jobs, and improved quality of 

life at home and abroad.”156 –President 

Trump

Redefining the international system of weights and 

measures. NIST worked with partner metrology institutes to move the system of units used world-wide 

to be entirely based upon fundamental constants of 

nature and quantum-enabled realizations. This new 

approach enables improvements in precision measurements that effect everything from pharmaceuticals manufacturing to experimental physics, and 

will create a new opportunity for the development of 

new quantum measurement technologies.

157

Stimulating innovation through public participation. In March, the White House hosted an event on 

Federal prizes and challenges to drive innovation.158

With over 875 federally sponsored prize competitions on Challenge.gov and over 400 Federal 

crowdsourcing and citizen science projects on CitizenScience.gov, the Administration is empowering 

Americans to use science and technology to solve 

the world’s most pressing issues. In FY18, more than 

20 different Federal agencies or departments offered prize competitions, and more than 16 agencies 

initiated or continued citizen science and 

crowdsourcing projects. For example, NIH hosted a 

challenge for wearable alcohol biosensor development,159 and 250,000 players of the Eyewire game 

drove the discovery of six new types of human brain 

neurons as part of the Federal Brain Research 

through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies 

(BRAIN) Initiative.

160

Reducing burdens in research. In May, the NSTC released a report on efforts to improve the management of Federal awards to significantly reduce the 

regulatory burdens associated with federally funded 

research activities while maintaining accountability.161 The report addresses substantial and unproductive administrative burdens which affect our Nation’s scientists, thereby impeding the rate of scientific and technological advancement. In November, 

DOE announced two regulatory re-form initiatives 

designed to reduce administrative barriers and enhance engagement with DOE's laboratories.162

Releasing the world’s highest resolution Earth system model. In April, the first version of the EnergyExascale-Earth System Model (E3SM) was publicly 

released as an open source model for use by the scientific community.163 Designed to run on DOE’s fastest supercomputers, E3SM is currently the world’s 

highest resolution Earth system model. A team at 

DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory team 

used an artificial intelligence neural network running on Summit—and trained on E3SM simulation 

data—to identify extreme weather events.164

Coordinating Federal science and technology programs. OSTP has continued strong support for the 

NSTC, with interagency committees, meeting regularly on topics covering every aspect of the Nation’s 

science and technology enterprise spanning science, technology, the environment, and national security.165 Experts from across the Federal agencies 

have worked together and with OSTP to coordinate 

R&D programs, develop and track strategic plans, 

and ensure that taxpayer dollars are well spent on 

the highest R&D priorities. In 2018, NSTC implemented a new organizational structure, as advised 

by the Federal science agencies, to more efficiently 

conduct interagency coordination.

Advancing the state of battery science. DOE-supported researchers made key advances in battery

science and technology in 2018. For the first time,researchers at a DOE Energy Frontier Research Center 

reversibly inserted and extracted two lithium ions 

from a multi-electron lithium ion battery cathode, 

with full recovery upon recharging—a capability that 

could greatly increase battery capacity.166 Scientists 

used the Advanced Light Source and the Stanford 

Synchrotron Radiation Light Source to improve understanding of lithium transport—a potential path 

to safer, longer-lasting, and higher-power batteries.167

Supporting and celebrating key advances in nanotechnology. In December, OSTP’s National Nanotechnology Coordination Office celebrated the 15-

year anniversary of the establishment of nanotechnology as a national initiative by President George 

W. Bush.168 The Office launched a series of podcasts 

with experts from academia, government, and industry to highlight key advances in nanotechnology 

catalyzed by the National Nanotechnology Initiative 

and how nanotechnology will enable breakthroughs 

and applications of the future. In 2018, the Admin-
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istration invested approximately $1.4 billion of Federal R&D in nanotechnology, advancing knowledge 

and providing new capabilities to a wide range of existing and emerging technologies.169

Space Exploration

“As history has shown, there is no limit to 

the imagination and determination of the 

American people, and we will continue this 

proud tradition of innovation in space exploration.”170 –President Trump

First mission to explore the deep interior of Mars. 

NASA’s InSight Mars Lander landed on Mars to conduct an in-depth study of Mars’ interior structure for 

the first time ever. The mission will help answer key 

questions about the early formation of rocky planets 

in our inner solar system.

171

Streamlining regulations on commercial use of 

space. On March 23, President Trump unveiled a National Space Strategy that prioritizes American interests, ensuring a plan that will make America strong 

and competitive.172 This new strategy drives a 

whole-of-government approach to United States

leadership in space, in close partnership with the 

private sector and our allies. On March 24, President 

Trump signed Space Policy Directive-2, which aims 

to reduce the regulatory burden on space companies in the United States.173The policy calls for regulations that promote economic growth and protect 

public safety; a review of launch and re-entry licensing to remove unnecessary regulations; a review of 

commercial remote sensing policy; a reorganization 

of DOC to expand and elevate the Office of Space 

Commerce; a report on improving global competitiveness in radio frequency spectrum; and a review 

of export licensing regulations.

Protecting the Nation’s vital assets in the congested orbital environment. On June 18, President 

Trump signed Space Policy Directive-3 directing the 

United States to lead the management of traffic and 

mitigate the effects of debris in space.174 The policy 

aims to establish roles and responsibilities for space 

traffic management and space situational awareness.175 Goals for this policy include advancing science and technology in these areas, reducing the 

growing threat of orbital debris on space activities, 

encouraging and facilitating United States commercial leadership, and providing United States Government-supported basic space situational awareness 

data and basic space traffic management services to 

the public. At the signing of SPD-3 and the third 

meeting of the National Space Council, President 

Trump directed DOD to begin the process necessary 

to establish a U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of 

the armed forces.176

Launching spacecraft of historical magnitude. In 

August, NASA launched the Parker Solar Probe, the 

first spacecraft that will fly into the solar corona (the 

solar atmosphere) and the closest a human-made 

object has ever been to the Sun.

177 The mission’s 

findings will help researchers improve their forecasts of space weather events, which have the potential to damage satellites and harm astronauts on 

orbit and in deep space, disrupt radio communications, and overwhelm power grids. It will study the 

structure and dynamics of the Sun’s coronal plasma 

and magnetic field, explore the supersonic solar 

wind, and discover what accelerates solar energetic 

particles.

Increasing readiness for space weather events. In 

June, the Trump Administration released the NSTC 

Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation (SWORM) Subcommittee initial benchmarks for 

five phenomena associated with space weather 

events: induced geo-electric fields, ionizing radiation, ionospheric disturbances, solar radio bursts, 

and upper atmospheric expansion.178 Benchmarks 

for space weather will enhance awareness of threats 

among critical infrastructure owners and operators 

in the private sector, and will serve as an input for 

academic and private sector innovation toward 

building a space weather- and electromagnetic 

pulse-ready Nation.

Demonstrating a power system that could enable 

long-duration crewed missions to the Moon and 

destinations beyond. NASA and DOE’s NNSA successfully demonstrated a new nuclear reactor power 

system that could enable long-duration crewed missions on the surface of the Moon, Mars, and destinations beyond. The Kilopower Reactor is a small, 

lightweight fission power system capable of providing up to 10 kilowatts of electric power – enough to 

run several average households – continuously for at 

least 10 years.179
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Fostering partnerships at the International Space 

Station. In FY 2018, NASA saw new research facilities 

and Earth observation instruments come online, 

new capabilities piloted and an increasingly diverse 

portfolio of commercial, fundamental science, and 

technology demonstration investigations conducted. NASA and the ISS National Lab combined to 

sponsor 226 U.S. research investigations, an increase of 27% from the previous fiscal year. The ISS 

National Lab selected 50 new projects and programs 

across diverse R&D areas, making FY18 the strongest 

year to date for portfolio growth. ISS National Lab 

new research partners in FY 2018 included large and 

small companies, nonprofits, academia, and other 

government agencies, with many projects individually or sponsor-funded. Third-party funding for 

spaceflight R&D continued to rise, allowing us to leverage ISS National Lab resources for maximum user 

success—which this year ranged from patents to 

first-ever technical demonstrations in orbit.180

STEM Education and 

Workforce

“We will continue efforts to provide our 

students with access to high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, 

and mathematics so that they are better 

equipped to innovate and compete in today’s economy.”181 –President Trump

Helping students gain the skills they need to succeed. President Trump and Congress reauthorized 

the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 

Act, which provides more than $1 billion for States 

each year to fund vocational and career-focused education programs, benefitting more than 11 million 

students.

182

Establishing the President’s National Council for 

the American Worker. Recognizing the irreplaceable 

value of the American worker, this Administration 

acted to protect our greatest strength to address 

workforce changes caused by automation.183 President Trump issued an Executive Order in July establishing the President’s National Council for the 

American Worker. The Council will develop recommendations for a national strategy for empowering 

American workers, foster close coordination among 

the Federal Government and other stakeholders, 

and work with agencies to foster consistency in policy implementation.184

Releasing a Federal Strategic Plan to strengthen 

education in science, technology, engineering, and 

math (STEM). In December, the NSTC Committee on 

STEM Education released the Federal 5-Year STEM 

Education Strategic Plan, which outlines the goals 

for American STEM education. The Administration’s 

goals include building a strong foundation of STEM 

literacy, increasing diversity in STEM careers, and 

preparing the STEM workforce of the future.

185

Holding a first-of-its-kind state-Federal STEM education summit. The Trump Administration convened stakeholders to help inform the development 

of the Federal 5-year STEM Education Strategic Plan. 

OSTP joined NSF and 16 other Federal agencies for a 

summit that brought together STEM education 

stakeholders from all 50 States, five territories, and 

seven tribes.

186

Scaling diversity, inclusion, and equity across the 

Federal government. NSF INCLUDES is one of the 10 

NSF Big Ideas and focuses on making a lasting impact in diversifying the STEM workforce of the future 

through partnerships and collaboration at scale.187

This year, NSF has committed $44 million towards 

this initiative and going forward will expand partnerships with NASA, NOAA, NIH, and USGS to help them 

establish their own INCLUDES programs.188 An outside partner has also committed $1 million to NSF 

INCLUDES to support women returning to the STEM 

workforce.

189

Fulfilling and surpassing the Administration’s 

promise to invest in STEM. In 2018, the Department 

of Education surpassed President Trump’s directive 

to invest $200 million in high-quality education in 

science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science.190 In total, the Department obligated 

$279 million in STEM discretionary grant funds in Fiscal Year 2018.
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Conclusion

The second year of the Trump Administration was a tremendous year for our Nation’s science and technology enterprise. These highlights are a select few from the many achievements made within the Federal Government and those enabled by the support it provides to the broader science and technology 

enterprise. Federal scientists and policymakers, collaborating with partners in industry, academia, and 

foundations, are continuously spearheading the advancement of science and technology and informing national policy to address our world’s greatest challenges and provide benefits to the American 

people. Under the leadership of OSTP Director Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, OSTP will continue supporting 

American scientists and technologists and working with the interagency and other collaborators to ensure that the United States maintains and accelerates global leadership in scientific and technological 

advancement.
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1

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/the-inaugural-address/ 2

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-developing-sustainable-spectrum-strategy-americas-future/ 3

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-developing-sustainable-spectrum-strategy-americas-future/ 4

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/america-will-win-global-race-5g/ 5

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-354326A1.pdf 6

https://www.nsf.gov/cise/advancedwireless/ 7

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf 8

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-secretary-interior/ 9

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-national-manufacturing-day-2018/ 10https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Advanced-Manufacturing-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf 11https://www.manufacturing.gov/ ; https://www.manufacturingusa.com/studies?f%5B0%5D=t%3A19 12https://web.ornl.gov/sci/manufacturing/mdf/ 13https://www.nist.gov/ambench 14https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/artificial-intelligence-american-people/ 15https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/14/2019-02544/maintaining-american-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence 16https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Summary-Report-of-White-House-AI-Summit.pdf 17https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Summary-Report-of-White-House-AI-Summit.pdf 18https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/09/26/2018-20914/request-for-information-on-update-to-the-2016-nationalartificial-intelligence-research-and 19https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2018-09-07 20https://media.defense.gov/2018/Jul/02/2001938089/-1/-1/1/DSD-JUNE-2018-MESSAGE.PDF 21https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm604357.htm 22https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/congressional-testimony/game-changers-artificial-intelligence-part-ii-artificial-intelligence-and-the-federal-government 23https://g7.gc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Chairs_summary_preparing_jobs_future-1.pdf 24https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297116 25https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp 26https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-memorandum-secretary-transportation/ 27https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/presidential-memorandum-secretary-transportation ; https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4/text 28https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=22755 29https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4/text 30https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=90285 31https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=91844 32https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/transportation-research-board-annual-meeting-washington-dc 33https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/us-department-transportation-releases-preparing-future-transportation-automated 34https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=22754 35https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-goes-quiet-over-galveston-for-flight-series 36https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/langley/manufacturing-of-nasa-s-x-59-quesst-begins 37https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2018/ 38https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/president-trump-unveils-americas-first-cybersecurity-strategy-15-years/ 39https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Cyber-Strategy.pdf 40https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-energy-rick-perry-forms-new-office-cybersecurity-energy-security-and-emergency 41https://www.energy.gov/ceser/activities/cybersecurity-critical-energy-infrastructure 42https://www.nitrd.gov/pubs/FY2019-Cybersecurity-RD-Roadmap.pdf 43https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/04/nist-releases-version-11-its-popular-cybersecurity-framework 44https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2018/us-departments-commerce-homeland-security-release-report-president-promoting 45https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/president-trump-unveils-americas-first-cybersecurity-strategy-15-years/ 46https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement 47https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-earth-day-2018/ 48https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Plan-for-Addressing-Critical-Research-Gaps-Related-to-EmergingContaminants-in-Drinking-Water.pdf 49https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-launches-water-security-grand-challenge 50https://www.usgs.gov/news/seismic-research-cruise-provides-new-data-us-atlantic-margin-gas-hydrates 51https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-national-energy-awareness-month-2018/ 52https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/neima 
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53https://www.energy.gov/articles/president-trump-signs-bill-boost-advanced-nuclear-america 54https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/doe-awards-111-million-us-vendors-develop-accident-tolerant-nuclear-fuels 55https://www.energy.gov/department-energy-year-review-2018 56https://www.energy.gov/fe/science-innovation/oil-gas-research/shale-gas-rd 57https://www.fbo.gov/index.php?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=a11aa31c8f828400d5c5d94b0e972319&tab=core&_cview=1 58https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/environmental-assessment-completed-use-doe-owned-high-assay-low-enriched-uraniumstored

59https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ensuring-patients-receive-information-need-savemoney-prescription-drugs/ 60https://www.energy.gov/department-energy-year-review-2018 61https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-va-collaborate-boost-veterans-access-cancer-clinical-trials 62https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-releases-strategic-plan-address-tuberculosis-research 63https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-tissue-chips-rocket-international-space-station 64https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-twins-study-investigators-to-release-integrated-paper-in-2018 65https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-announces-national-enrollment-date-all-us-research-program-advanceprecision-medicine 66https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-makes-strides-accelerate-discoveries-cloud 67https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-releases-strategic-plan-data-science 68https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm605432.htm 69https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm625884.htm 70https://www.energy.gov/department-energy-year-review-2018 71https://www.energy.gov/articles/doennsa-partnership-us-healthcare-industry-results-fda-approval-domestically-produced-non 72https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/nist-genome-editing-consortium 73https://www.standardscoordinatingbody.org/overview-mission 74https://bluebutton.cms.gov/bb2dc18/ 75https://www.himss.org/news/white-house-convenes-interoperability-summit 76http://philcsolomon.com/2018/03/08/cms-announces-two-new-initiatives-blue-button-2-0-and-myhealthedata/ 77https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-energy-rick-perry-announces-18-billion-initiative-new-supercomputers 78https://www.energy.gov/articles/two-doe-supercomputers-top-list-world-s-fastest 79https://www.llnl.gov/news/lawrence-livermore-unveils-nnsa%E2%80%99s-sierra-world%E2%80%99s-third-fastest-supercomputer 80https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2018-12-10 81https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/11/new-research-center-explore-spintronics-materials-advanced-computing 82https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1818253 83https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/ 84https://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297193 85https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-national-biodefense-strategy-national-security-presidential-memorandum/ 86https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-national-biodefense-strategy-national-security-presidential-memorandum/ 87https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/510585p.pdf?ver=2018-11-23-075056-577 88https://www.army.mil/article/215259/futures_command_tops_2018_modernization_stories 89https://www.army.mil/article/197886 90https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/Section-901-FY-2017-NDAA-Report.pdf 91https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/national-risk-management-center 92https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-proclaims-april-26-2018-world-intellectual-property-day/ 93https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/05/nist-seeks-public-input-help-increase-return-investment-federal-research 94https://www.labpartnering.org/ ; https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-launches-new-lab-partnering-service 95https://www.federallabs.org/news/flc-business-30-is-here 96https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/12/commerces-nist-announces-actions-stimulate-commercialization-federally 97https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-conner-prochaska-director-office-technology-transitions 98https://10millionpatents.uspto.gov/ ; https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USPTOFY18PAR.pdf 99https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-2018-hurricane-briefing-3/ 100https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Summary-2018-Whole-Community-Hurricane-Information-FlowsWorkshop.pdf 101https://www.nist.gov/publications/research-needs-support-immediate-occupancy-building-performance-following-natural 102https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/03/f50/SLTT%20Energy%20Assurance%202017%20Year%20in%20Review.pdf 103https://communities.geoplatform.gov/disasters/category/resources/ 104https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/scientists-complete-mission-to-map-fast-moving-fault-off-alaska
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105https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=244653&org=NSF&from=news 106https://www.nehrp.gov/index.htm 107https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/destructive-2018-atlantic-hurricane-season-draws-to-end 108https://fireadaptednetwork.org/collaborative-spatial-fire-management-getting-ahead-fire-using-potential-operational-delineations/ 109https://wfmrda.nwcg.gov/ 110https://disasters.nasa.gov/november-2018-california-wildfires 111https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/keeping-america-safe-addressing-threat-near-earth-object-impacts/ 112https://uas.usgs.gov/mission/HI_KilaueaVolcano.shtml

113https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/k-lauea-volcano-uas-mission-aid-rescue 114https://firstnet.gov/ 115https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2018/us-department-commerce-us-department-transportation-issue-final-rules-110-million 116https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-proclaims-june-2018-national-ocean-month/ 117https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/06/22/2018-13640/ocean-policy-to-advance-the-economic-security-and-environmental-interests-of-the-united-states 118https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-promoting-americas-ocean-economy/ 119https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Science-and-Technology-for-Americas-Oceans-A-Decadal-Vision.pdf 120https://www.darpa.mil/program/ocean-of-things 121https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/ort.html 

122https://coastwatch.pfeg.noaa.gov/ecocast 

123https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/developing-machine-vision-collect-more-timely-fisheries-data 124https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-combatting-opioid-crisis/ 125https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/year-historic-action-combat-opioid-crisis/ 126https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/sites/default/files/Spotlight-on-Opioids_09192018.pdf 127https://www.hpj.com/ag_news/usda-combating-the-opioid-crisis-in-rural-america/article_66943be6-df87-11e8-9c3a0f17c3a37f75.html 128https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-highlights-key-accomplishments-2018-are-building-rural-prosperity 129https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-signed-h-r-6-law/ 130https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2017/05/fentanyl-can-sicken-first-responders-heres-possible-solution ; 

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/03/free-software-can-help-spot-new-forms-fentanyl-and-other-illegal-drugs 131https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-launches-heal-initiative-doubles-funding-accelerate-scientific-solutionsstem-national-opioid-epidemic 132https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Health-RD-to-Stem-Opioid-Crisis-2018-Roadmap-for-Public-Comment.pdf 133https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-president-niinisto-finland-joint-press-conference/ 134https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/news/12469

135https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/nsf19511/nsf19511.htm

136https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-ula-launch-mission-to-track-earths-changing-ice 137https://www.livescience.com/64283-icesat-2-ice-sheet-maps.html 138https://www.onr.navy.mil/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Programs/Atmosphere-Research-322/Arctic-GlobalPrediction/SODA-DRI.aspx 139https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/2018-annual-report-for-iarpc-collaboration-teams.pdf ; 

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2018/10/coast-guard-icebreaker-crew-completes-second-2018-arctic-mission/ 140https://future.usap.gov/what-is-aims/ 141https://future.usap.gov/construction-begins-on-itc-building/ 142https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-proclaims-march-4-march-10-2018-national-consumer-protection-week/ 143https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2018/request-comments-developing-administration-s-approach-consumer-privacy 144https://www.nist.gov/privacy-framework 145https://www.nist.gov/privacy-framework/request-information 146https://www.privacyshield.gov/NewsEvents 147https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/national-quantum-initiative-act-sent-to-presidents-desk/ 148https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6227 149https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text?r=40 150https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Summary-of-the-2018-White-House-Summit-on-Advancing-American-Leadership-in-Quantum-Information-Science-Updated.pdf 151https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Strategic-Overview-for-Quantum-Information-Science.pdf 
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152https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/11/2018-26754/request-for-information-on-national-strategic-overview-forquantum-information-science 153https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-218-million-quantum-information-science ; 

https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=296699 154https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/09/nist-launches-consortium-support-development-quantum-industry 155https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2018/04/mini-toolkit-measurements-new-nist-chip-hints-quantum-sensors-future 156https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/the-inaugural-address/ 157https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/kilogram-disseminating-new-kilogram 158https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/trump-administration-supports-fostering-innovation-leveraging-prizes-challenges/ 159https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/research/niaaa-research-highlights/second-challenge-competition-wearable-alcohol-biosensor 160https://www.princeton.edu/news/2018/05/17/princeton-researchers-crowdsource-brain-mapping-gamers-discover-six-new-neuron 161https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Reducing-Federal-Administrative-and-Regulatory-Burdens-on-Research.pdf 162https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-two-landmark-technology-transfer-initiatives 163https://share-ng.sandia.gov/news/resources/news_releases/exascale_models/#.WudKKNPwZSM 164http://cs.lbl.gov/news-media/news/2018/berkeley-lab-oak-ridge-nvidia-team-breaks-exaop-barrier-with-deep-learning-application/ 165https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/nstc/ 166https://science.energy.gov/bes/efrc/centers/necces/ 167https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2019-02-05-untangling-strange-phenomenon-both-helps-and-hurts-lithium-ion-batteryperformance 168https://www.nano.gov/15nni

169https://www.nano.gov/2019budgetsupplement 170https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-space-exploration-day/ 171https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/mission/overview/ 172https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-unveiling-america-first-national-space-strategy/ 173https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/space-policy-directive-2-streamlining-regulations-commercial-use-space/ 174https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-achieving-safe-secure-future-space/ 175https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/space-policy-directive-3-national-space-traffic-management-policy/ 176https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-meeting-national-space-council-signing-space-policy-directive-3/ 177https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-ula-launch-parker-solar-probe-on-historic-journey-to-touch-sun 178https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Space-Weather-Phase-1-Benchmarks-Report.pdf 179https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/demonstration-proves-nuclear-fission-system-can-provide-space-exploration-power 180https://ar2018.issnationallab.org/ 181https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-national-manufacturing-day-2018/ 182https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-passage-legislation-reauthorize-carl-d-perkins-careertechnical-education-act/ 183https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-establishing-presidents-national-council-american-worker/ 184https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-establishing-presidents-national-council-american-worker/ 185https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf 186https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Summary-of-the-2018-White-House-State-Federal-STEM-EducationSummit.pdf 187https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/nsfincludes/index.jsp

188https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=297418 189https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=296700

190https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-fulfills-administration-promise-invest-200-million-stem-education