49–006 

109TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 109–525 

RESEARCH FOR COMPETITIVENESS ACT 

JUNE 22, 2006.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. BOEHLERT, from the Committee on Science, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 5356] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 

5356) to authorize the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy Office of Science to provide grants to early career researchers to establish innovative research programs and integrate education and research, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and 

recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Amendment ................................................................................................. 2 

II. Purpose of the Bill ...................................................................................... 7 

III. Background and Need for the Legislation ................................................ 7 

IV. Summary of Hearings ................................................................................. 8 

V. Committee Actions ...................................................................................... 9 

VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill, as Reported ............................ 10 

VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (By Title and Section), as Reported ............ 10 

VIII. Committee Views ........................................................................................ 14 

IX. Cost Estimate .............................................................................................. 16 

X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate ............................................. 16 

XI. Compliance With Public-Law 104–4 (Unfunded Mandates) .................... 18 

XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations ........................... 18 

XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives ...................... 18 

XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement .......................................................... 19 

XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................... 19 

XVI. Congressional Accountability Act .............................................................. 19 

XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law ........................ 19 

XVIII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ........................ 19 

XIX. Committee Recommendations .................................................................... 19 

XX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup .................................................... 20 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
2 

AMENDMENT

The amendments are as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Research for Competitiveness Act’’. 

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Science Foundation shall carry out 

a program to award grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their 

careers at institutions of higher education and organizations described in subsection 

(c)(2) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission of the Foundation. The 

existing Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program may be designated 

as the mechanism for awarding such grants. 

(b) SIZE AND DURATION OF AWARD.—The duration of awards under this section 

shall be 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at least $80,000. 

(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Award recipients shall be individuals who are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at— (1) an institution of higher education in the United States; or 

(2) an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum, observatory, or research laboratory. 

(d) SELECTION.—Award recipients shall be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. 

(e) SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR AWARDS.—An applicant seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the Director at such time, in such 

manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. In evaluating 

the proposals submitted under this section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum—

(1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work; 

(2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research; 

(3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research and education, including undergraduate education in science and engineering disciplines; and 

(4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. 

(f) AWARDS.—In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall endeavor 

to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of types of institutions of higher 

education and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations. In support of 

this goal, the Director shall broadly disseminate information about when and how 

to apply for grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority 

institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). 

(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For each of the fiscal years 2007 

through 2011, the Director shall allocate at least 3.5 percent of funds appropriated 

to the National Science Foundation for Research and Related Activities to the 

grants program under this section. 

(h) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 

Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives 

and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 

report describing the distribution of the institutions of the awardees of the Faculty 

Early Career Development Program since fiscal year 2001 among each of the categories of institutions of higher education defined by the Carnegie Foundation for 

the Advancement of Teaching and the organizations in subsection (c)(2). 

(i) EVALUATION.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 

the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 

a report evaluating the impact of the Faculty Early Career Development Program 

on the ability of young faculty to compete for National Science Foundation research 

grants. 

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 

RESEARCHERS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of Science of the Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants to scientists and engineers at the 

early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission of 

the Department. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
3 

(b) SIZE AND DURATION OF AWARD.—The duration of awards under this section 

shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at least $80,000. 

(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Award recipients shall be individuals who are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at— (1) an institution of higher education in the United States; or 

(2) an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum, observatory, or research laboratory. 

(d) SELECTION.—Award recipients shall be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. 

(e) SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA FOR AWARDS.—An applicant seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the Director at such time, in such 

manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. In evaluating 

the proposals submitted under this section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum—

(1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work; 

(2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research; 

(3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research and education, including undergraduate education in science and engineering disciplines; and 

(4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. 

(f) COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL LABORATORIES.—In awarding grants under 

this section, the Director shall give priority to proposals in which the proposed work 

includes collaboration with the Department of Energy National Laboratories. 

(g) AWARDS.—In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall endeavor 

to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of types of institutions of higher 

education and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations. In support of 

this goal, the Director shall broadly disseminate information about when and how 

to apply for grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority 

institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). 

(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated 

to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Director’s responsibilities under this sec- tion $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011. 

(i) REPORT ON RECRUITING AND RETAINING EARLY CAREER SCIENCE AND ENGI- NEERING RESEARCHERS AT THE NATIONAL LABORATORIES.—Not later than 3 months 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee 

on Science of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and 

Natural Resources of the Senate a report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at the Department of Energy National Laboratories. The report shall include— (1) a description of Department of Energy and National Laboratory policies 

and procedures, including financial incentives, awards, promotions, time set 

aside for independent research, access to equipment or facilities, and other 

forms of recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists and engineers; 

(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the careers of young 

scientists and engineers at Department of Energy National Laboratories, and 

also on the quality of the research at the National Laboratories and in Department of Energy programs; 

(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to efforts to recruit and retain 

young scientists and engineers, including limited availability of full time equivalent positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading systems; and 

(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and retain young researchers and the source of such funds. 

SEC. 4. REPORT ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS TO 

RECRUIT AND RETAIN EARLY CAREER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS. 

Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall transmit to the Committee 

on Science of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, 

Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on efforts to recruit and retain 

young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at the National 

Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories and joint institutes. The report 

shall include—

(1) a description of National Institute of Standards and Technology policies 

and procedures, including financial incentives, awards, promotions, time set 

aside for independent research, access to equipment or facilities, and other 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
4 

forms of recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists and engineers; 

(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the careers of young 

scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

and also on the quality of the research at the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology’s laboratories and in the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology’s programs; 

(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to efforts to recruit and retain 

young scientists and engineers, including limited availability of full time equivalent positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading systems; and 

(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and retain young researchers and the source of such funds. 

SEC. 5. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH AWARD MATCH PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Science Foundation shall carry out 

a program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to scientists and 

engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and 

organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct high-risk, high-return research. The program shall support fundamental research with the potential for significant scientific or technical advancement. 

(b) SIZE AND DURATION OF AWARD.—

(1) BASE AWARD.—The duration of awards under this section shall be up to 

5 years, and the amount per year shall be up to $75,000. The funding awarded 

under this paragraph shall not be contingent on the receipt of funds under 

paragraph (2). 

(2) MATCHING AWARD.—Each year that a recipient is receiving funding under 

paragraph (1), the National Science Foundation shall match any funds the recipient receives from United States industry for work in the area described in 

the recipient’s application for the award, up to an additional $37,500. 

(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Applicants for awards under this section shall be individuals 

who are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or equivalent 

title, or who hold an equivalent position, at—

(1) an institution of higher education in the United States; or 

(2) an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum, observatory, or research laboratory. 

However, a recipient awarded a grant under this section may continue to receive 

funding under the grant regardless of whether the recipient has been granted tenure after the awarding of the grant. 

(d) OUTREACH.—The Director shall broadly disseminate information about when 

and how to apply for grants under this section, including by conducting outreach 

to Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and 

minority institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). 

(e) APPLICATION.—Applicants for awards under this section shall submit to the Director—

(1) a curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of publications and a description of any activities demonstrating leadership or educational activities; 

(2) a description of research areas of interest; 

(3) letters of recommendation; and 

(4) any other materials the Director requires. 

(f) CRITERIA FOR AWARDS.—In establishing criteria for evaluation of applications 

for grants under this section, the Director shall include—

(1) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge; 

(2) the potential innovative or transformative nature of research in the areas 

of interest described in the application; 

(3) the creativity of the applicant as determined by criteria set by the Director, including creativity demonstrated in past research activities; and 

(4) the potential interest to industry of research in the areas of interest described in the application. 

(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated 

to the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out this section—

(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; 

(2) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; 

(3) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; 

(4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and 

(5) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
5 

SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AWARD MATCH PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of Science of the Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed 

basis to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions 

of higher education and organizations described in subsection (d)(2) to conduct highrisk, high-return research in areas related to energy production, storage, and use. 

The program shall support fundamental research with the potential for significant 

scientific or technical advancement. 

(b) INVOLVEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ORGANIZATIONS.—In carrying out 

this program, the Director shall consult with the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs of the Office of Nuclear Energy Research 

and Development, the Office of Fossil Energy, and the Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewables. 

(c) SIZE AND DURATION OF AWARD.—

(1) BASE AWARD.—The duration of awards under this section shall be up to 

5 years, and the amount per year shall be up to $75,000. The funding awarded 

under this paragraph shall not be contingent on the receipt of funds under 

paragraph (2). 

(2) MATCHING AWARD.—Each year that a recipient is receiving funding under 

paragraph (1), the Department of Energy Office of Science shall match any 

funds the recipient receives from United States industry for work in the area 

described in the recipient’s application for the award, up to an additional 

$37,500. 

(d) ELIGIBILITY.—Applicants for awards under this section shall be individuals 

who are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or equivalent 

title, or who hold an equivalent position, at—

(1) an institution of higher education in the United States; or 

(2) an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum, observatory, or research laboratory. 

However, a recipient awarded a grant under this section may continue to receive 

funding under the grant regardless of whether the recipient has been granted tenure after the awarding of the grant. 

(e) OUTREACH.—The Director shall broadly disseminate information about when 

and how to apply for grants under this section, including by conducting outreach 

to Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and 

minority institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). 

(f) APPLICATION.—Applicants for awards under this section shall submit to the Director—

(1) a curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of publications and a description of any activities demonstrating leadership or educational activities; 

(2) a description of research areas of interest; 

(3) letters of recommendation; and 

(4) any other materials the Director requires. 

(g) CRITERIA FOR AWARDS.—In establishing criteria for evaluation of applications 

for the grants awarded under subsection (a), the Director shall include—

(1) the potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge by the applicant; 

(2) the potential innovative or transformative nature of research in the areas 

of interest described in the application; 

(3) the creativity of the applicant as determined by criteria set by the Director, including creativity demonstrated in past research activities; and 

(4) the potential interest to industry of research in the areas of interest described in the application. 

(h) COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL LABORATORIES.—In awarding grants under 

this section, the Director may give priority to applications in which the proposed 

work includes collaboration with the Department of Energy National Laboratories. 

(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated 

to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Director’s responsibilities under this section—

(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; 

(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; 

(3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; 

(4) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and 

(5) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

SEC. 7. MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION. 

(a) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.—Awards under the Major Research Instrumentation Program described in section 13 of the National Science 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
6 

Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 shall range in amount between $100,000 and 

$20,000,000 and may be used to support the operations and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment acquired under the program. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for this program, $94,200,000 for fiscal year 

2007, $100,800,000 for fiscal year 2008, $107,800,000 for fiscal year 2009, 

$115,300,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $123,400,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

SEC. 8. DONATIONS. 

Section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1870(f)) 

is amended by inserting at the end before the semicolon ‘‘, except that funds may 

be donated for specific prize competitions’’. 

SEC. 9. PROGRAM TO FOSTER CROSS-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall establish a program to award grants for longterm, potentially path-breaking, basic research designed to simultaneously advance 

the physical and nonbiomedical life sciences. 

(b) MERIT REVIEW.—Grants shall be awarded under this section on a competitive, 

merit-reviewed basis. The Director shall ensure that review panels for proposals received under this section include both physical scientists and nonbiomedical life scientists, and, when appropriate, engineers. The Director shall ensure that review 

panels for proposals received under this section are open to approving high-risk research. 

(c) AWARDS.—The Director may award grants under this section to individuals, 

groups, and centers. The Director shall ensure that some of the grants awarded 

under section 2 are awarded consistent with this section. 

(d) APPLICATION AND SELECTION.—Applications for grants under this section shall 

be submitted to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. At a minimum, applications shall contain a 

brief description of how the proposed research will advance both the physical and 

nonbiomedical life sciences. In evaluating applications, the Director shall consider, 

at a minimum, how significantly the research would advance both the physical and 

nonbiomedical life sciences. 

(e) OTHER AGENCIES.—The Director may carry out this program jointly with the 

Department of Energy Office of Science and other relevant Federal agencies. 

(f) REPORT.—The documents prepared by the Director to accompany the annual 

Presidential budget submission shall specify amounts to be expended on the program in this section. 

SEC. 10. RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS. 

In carrying out its research programs on science policy and on the science of 

learning, the National Science Foundation may support research on the process of 

innovation and the teaching of inventiveness. 

SEC. 11. NASA’S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION. 

(a) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Congress that—

(1) a balanced science program as authorized by section 101(d) of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 

109–155) contributes significantly to innovation in and the economic competitiveness of the United States; and 

(2) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration, funded at the 

levels authorized under sections 202 and 203 of that Act, would offer a balance 

among science, aeronautics, exploration, and human space flight programs, all 

of which can attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians across a 

broad range of fields in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. 

(b) PARTICIPATION IN INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAMS.—The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall fully participate 

in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness 

through scientific research and development within the spending levels cited in subsection (a). 

SEC. 12. NASA WORKFORCE TRAINING. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration may establish a NASA Academy, which may be established as a virtual Academy using online learning techniques. The Academy, if established, shall 

be available to all employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

to facilitate increased knowledge of engineering and scientific principles to further 

the missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Academy is to provide a unique training program to bridge the gap between the broad-based training provided by universities 

and the specific training needed to understand the different technologies which form 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
7 

the basis for work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as well 

as to update employees with the most current training available in the various skills 

and disciplines needed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

(c) SUBMISSION OF PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a notification 

of whether the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will establish an 

Academy as described in subsection (a). If an Academy is to be established, then 

concurrent with the notification, the Administrator shall transmit a plan for the establishment of the Academy. 

SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act— (1) the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the meaning given such 

term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)); 

and 

(2) the term ‘‘National Laboratory’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘non- military energy laboratory’’ in section 903(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 

(42 U.S.C. 16182(3)). 

Amend the title so as to read: 

A bill to authorize the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy Office of Science to provide grants to early career researchers to establish innovative research programs and integrate education and research and to conduct highrisk, high-return research, and for other purposes. 

II. PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of the bill is to bolster the research base in the 

United States by strengthening federal investment in the basic research that provides the background knowledge necessary for future technology developments. The bill authorizes programs at the 

National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy 

(DOE) Office of Science, and the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration (NASA). 

III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

While the U.S. continues to lead the world in measures of innovation capacity—research and development (R&D) spending, number of scientists and engineers, scientific output, etc.—recent statistics on the level of U.S. support for research relative to other countries indicate that this lead may be slipping. At the same time, 

other nations—particularly emergent nations such as China and 

India—have recognized the importance of innovation to economic 

growth, and are pouring resources into their scientific and technological infrastructure, rapidly building their innovation capacity 

and increasing their ability to compete with the United States in 

the global economy. 

AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS INITIATIVE

The American Competitiveness Initiative, announced by the 

President in the 2006 State of the Union address, calls for doubling 

the combined (not necessarily the individual) budgets of NSF, the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the 

DOE Office of Science over the next 10 years. The proposed funding 

increases are targeted to high-priority research areas, including alternative energy technologies, nanotechnology, supercomputing, 

manufacturing, cybersecurity, the performance of structures during 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
8 

disasters, and improvements in the U.S. scientific infrastructure, 

such as research facilities and government laboratories. These investments are expected to support the development of the next generation of transformative technologies. 

FEDERAL ROLE IN INNOVATION

A number of recent reports have outlined the issues that the U.S. 

faces as it tries to maintain a position of leadership and offered recommendations of what the U.S. should do to ensure its economic 

and national security. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, describes how science and 

engineering are critical to American prosperity, examines how the 

U.S. is doing relative to other countries in science and technology 

today, and makes recommendations on how federal programs in 

support of research and education could be improved to position the 

U.S. to make the next generation of innovations needed to maintain U.S. competitiveness and security going forward. Other reports 

on this topic include the National Innovation Initiative from the 

Council on Competitiveness, which emphasizes the need to 

strengthen the innovation infrastructure in the U.S. to ensure future prosperity, and the National Defense Education and Innovation Initiative, from the Association of American Universities, 

which focuses on actions universities and the federal government 

can take to meet oncoming economic and security challenges. 

This Act focuses on research elements of the recommendations 

made in these reports by strengthening federal support for innovative research and for science and engineering researchers at the 

early stages of their careers, authorizing funding for research infrastructure, and establishing a program for interdisciplinary research. 

Support for young researchers is essential because they face the 

greatest hurdles in setting up laboratories and obtaining research 

grants, yet they are the most likely researchers to cross traditional 

disciplinary boundaries and do path breaking work. 

IV. SUMMARY OF HEARINGS

On Thursday, July 21, 2005, the Committee on Science held a 

hearing to examine the relationship between federal science and 

engineering research and education investments and U.S. economic 

competitiveness. The witnesses were Mr. Nicholas Donofrio, Executive Vice President for Innovation and Technology at IBM Corporation; Mr. John Morgridge, Chairman of Cisco Systems, Incorporated, and part-time professor at Stanford University’s Graduate 

School of Business; and Dr. William Brody, President of The Johns 

Hopkins University and co-chair of the Council on Competitiveness 

working group that authored the National Innovation Initiative. 

The witnesses emphasized that the educational system needs to 

provide students with a solid background in science and engineering fields so that the U.S. has access to a technologically-literate 

workforce. The witnesses also stressed that investments in basic 

university research provide the background knowledge necessary 

for future technology developments. 

On Thursday, October 20, 2005, the Committee on Science held 

a hearing to receive testimony on the report released by NAS on 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
9 

October 12 entitled Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing 

and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. The report, which was requested by Congress, recommends ways to 

strengthen research and education in science and technology. The 

witnesses were Mr. Norman R. Augustine, retired Chairman and 

CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation (Mr. Augustine chaired 

the committee that wrote the report); Dr. P. Roy Vagelos, retired 

Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co. (Dr. Vagelos served on the 

committee that wrote the report), and Dr. William A. Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineering. 

The witnesses emphasized that solving the problems of global 

economic competition requires significant improvements to America’s K–12 and higher education systems and greater support for 

basic research, including innovative research in cutting-edge fields. 

The witnesses also stressed that the U.S. ability to innovate has 

been the source of U.S. prosperity and security, so future policy decisions should be aimed at generating an environment that supports innovation by creating a vibrant research base, educated 

workforce, and social climate that encourages students to pursue 

science and technology degrees. 

V. COMMITTEE ACTIONS

On May 11, 2006, Representative Michael T. McCaul; Representative Sherwood Boehlert, Chairman of the Committee on Science; 

Representative Lamar S. Smith; Representative Ken Calvert, 

Chairman of the Space Subcommittee; Representative Vernon J. 

Ehlers, Chairman of the Environment, Technology, and Standards 

Subcommittee; Representative Judy Biggert, Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee; Representative Bob Inglis, Chairman of the 

Research Subcommittee; and Representative John J. H. ‘‘Joe’’ Schwarz introduced H.R. 5356, the Early Career Research Act, a 

bill to authorize NSF and the DOE Office of Science to provide 

grants to early career researchers to establish innovative research 

programs and integrate education and research, and for other purposes. 

The Full Committee on Science met on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, 

to consider the bill. • Mr. McCaul, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Gordon, and Ms. Hooley offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute that changed 

the title of the bill to the Research for Competitiveness Act, inserted the provisions of H.R. 5357 into this bill, added authorization for an existing research infrastructure program at NSF, 

added language on NSF research at the interface between the 

physical and nonbiomedical life sciences, and added provisions 

related to NASA and to research on inventiveness. The amendment was adopted by a voice vote. • Mr. Miller of North Carolina offered an amendment to add 

a new section to create a program at NSF to give grants to universities to establish precompetitive technology transfer centers. A unanimous consent request to withdraw the amendment was agreed to. 

Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, 

H.R. 5356, to the House with the recommendation that the bill do 

pass, and that the staff be instructed to make technical and conforming changes to the bill and prepare the legislative report and 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
10 

that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before 

the House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion 

was agreed to by a voice vote. 

VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, AS REPORTED

• Authorizes an existing NSF program that helps fund young faculty in which NSF provides grants of at least $80,000 

per year for five years to help researchers establish a lab and 

pursue risky research in emerging fields and ensures that this 

NSF program grows proportionally with the overall NSF budget by setting aside 3.5 percent of the agency’s research funding 

for this program. • Authorizes $25 million at the DOE Office of Science for 

each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 for a similar program 

to support research by new faculty. • Authorizes grants to early career researchers in which NSF and DOE would provide up to $75,000 per year for up to 

five years, and make an additional $37,500 available each year 

provided the researcher raises one-to-one matching funds from 

private industry for the proposed research. • Requires DOE to provide to Congress within three months 

a report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and 

engineers at the early stages of their careers at the DOE National Laboratories. Requires NIST to provide a similar report 

for early career researchers at NIST. 

• Modifies and authorizes appropriations for an existing 

NSF program, Major Research Instrumentation, which provides grants to purchase and support cross-disciplinary, shared 

scientific and engineering equipment, such as electron microscopes, telescopes, and supercomputers, at institutions of higher education. 

• Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to 

allow NSF to accept donations for specific prize competitions. 

• Authorizes a program at NSF to fund potentially pathbreaking basic research designed to simultaneously advance 

the physical and nonbiomedical life sciences. 

• Allows NSF to support research on the process of innovation and the teaching of inventiveness. 

• States the sense of Congress that a balanced science program at NASA contributes significantly to innovation in the 

United States and allows NASA to establish a NASA Academy 

to provide a scientific and engineering training program for 

NASA employees. 

VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS (BY TITLE AND SECTION), AS

REPORTED

Sec. 1. Short title 

‘‘Research for Competitiveness Act.’’

Sec. 2. National Science Foundation early career awards for science 

and engineering researchers 

Establishes a program at NSF to award grants to scientists and 

engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and research institutions. Allows the existing Faculty 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
11 

Early Career Development (CAREER) Program to be designated as 

the mechanism for awarding such grants. Sets the duration of the 

awards to be five years and the amount per year to be at least 

$80,000. Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty at institutions 

of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, 

such as observatories. Requires the award recipients to be selected 

on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, based on the intellectual 

merit of the proposed work; the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research; the extent to which the proposal integrates research and education, including undergraduate education in science and engineering disciplines; and the potential of 

the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. Requires 

the Director of NSF to allocate at least 3.5 percent of funds appropriated for Research and Related Activities each year to the grants 

program under this section. 

Requires the Director of NSF to provide to Congress within six 

months a report describing the distribution of the CAREER Program awardees since fiscal year 2001 among different types of institutions. Requires the Director to provide to Congress within two 

years a report evaluating the impact of the CAREER Program on 

the ability of young faculty to compete for NSF research grants. 

Sec. 3. Department of Energy early career awards for science and 

engineering researchers 

Establishes at the DOE Office of Science a program to award 

grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers 

at institutions of higher education and research institutions. Allows 

the awards to be for up to five years and the amount per year to 

be at least $80,000. Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty at 

institutions of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, such as observatories. Requires the award recipients to 

be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, based on the intellectual merit of the proposed work; the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research; the extent to which the 

proposal integrates research and education, including undergraduate education in science and engineering disciplines; and the 

potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. Requires the Director of the Office of Science to give priority 

to proposals in which the proposed work includes collaboration with 

a National Laboratory. Authorizes appropriations for the program 

of $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011. 

Requires the Director of the Office of Science to provide to Congress within three months of enactment a report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages 

of their careers at the civilian National Laboratories. The report 

shall include a description of incentives for recruitment and retention, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the incentives, a description of barriers to recruitment and retention, and the amount and 

source of funding devoted to recruitment and retention efforts. 

Sec. 4. Report on National Institute of Standards and Technology 

efforts to recruit and retain early career science and engineering 

researchers 

Requires the Director of NIST to provide to Congress within 

three months of enactment a report on efforts to recruit and retain 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
12 

young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers 

at NIST. The report shall include a description of incentives for recruitment and retention, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 

incentives, a description of barriers to recruitment and retention, 

and the amount and source of funding devoted to recruitment and 

retention efforts. 

Sec. 5. National Science Foundation Research Award Match Program 

Establishes a program at NSF to award grants on a competitive, 

merit-reviewed basis to scientists and engineers at the early stage 

of their careers at institutions of higher education and research institutions to conduct high-risk, high-return fundamental research 

with the potential for significant scientific or technical advancement. Sets the duration of the awards to be up to five years and 

the amount per year to be up to $75,000, with an additional 

$37,500 available each year as a one-to-one match for funds the 

awardee raises from industry for the proposed research. Eligible 

applicants are tenure-track faculty at institutions of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, such as observatories. Requires the criteria for awardee selection to include the 

potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge; the innovative or transformative nature of research in the 

areas of interest described in the application; the creativity of the 

applicant; and the potential interest to industry of research in the 

areas of interest described in the application. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; $6,000,000 

for fiscal year 2008; $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; $12,000,000 for 

fiscal year 2010; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

Sec. 6. Department of Energy Research Award Match Program 

Establishes a program at the DOE Office of Science to award 

grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher 

education and research institutions to conduct high-risk, high-return fundamental research with the potential for significant scientific or technical advancement. Sets the duration of the awards 

to be up to five years and the amount per year to be up to $75,000, 

with an additional $37,500 available each year as a one-to-one 

match for funds the awardee raises from industry for the proposed 

research. Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty at institutions 

of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, 

such as observatories. Requires the criteria for awardee selection to 

include the potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers 

of knowledge; the innovative or transformative nature of research 

in the areas of interest described in the application; the creativity 

of the applicant; and the potential interest to industry of research 

in the areas of interest described in the application. The Director 

of the Office of Science may give priority to proposals in which the 

proposed work includes collaboration with the National Laboratories. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $2,000,000 for 

fiscal year 2007; $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and $10,000,000 for 

fiscal year 2011. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
13 

Sec. 7. Major Research Instrumentation 

Expands the range of awards under the NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program to be between $100,000 and $20,000,000 

and allows funding to be used to support the operations and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment acquired under the program. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $94,200,000 for 

fiscal year 2007; $100,800,000 for fiscal year 2008; $107,800,000 for 

fiscal year 2009; $115,300,000 for fiscal year 2010; and 

$123,400,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

Sec. 8. Donations 

Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to allow 

NSF to accept donations for specific prize competitions. 

Sec. 9. Program to foster cross-disciplinary research 

Establishes a program at NSF to award grants to individuals, 

groups, and centers for long-term, potentially path-breaking, basic 

research designed to simultaneously advance the physical and nonbiomedical life sciences. Requires the award recipients to be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. Requires the review 

panels to include both physical scientists and nonbiomedical life 

scientists, and, when appropriate, engineers, and to be open to approving high-risk research. Requires some of the grants awarded 

under the Early Career Program of Section 2 to be consistent with 

this section. Authorizes the NSF Director to carry out this program 

jointly with the DOE Office of Science and other relevant Federal 

agencies. 

Sec. 10. Research on innovation and inventiveness 

Allows NSF to support research on the process of innovation and 

the teaching of inventiveness. 

Sec. 11. NASA’s contribution to innovation 

States the sense of Congress that a balanced science program at 

NASA contributes significantly to innovation and the economic 

competitiveness of the United States and that NASA shall, within 

the spending levels authorized in the NASA Authorization Act of 

2005, fully participate in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through scientific research 

and development. 

Sec. 12. NASA workforce training 

Allows NASA to establish a NASA Academy, which may use online learning techniques, to provide a training program for NASA 

employees to bridge the gap between the broad-based training provided by universities and the specific scientific and engineering 

training needed to carry out the NASA missions. Requires the Administrator of NASA to notify Congress within 180 days if the 

Academy will be established and, if so, to provide a plan for its establishment. 

Sec. 13. Definitions 

Defines ‘‘Institution of Higher Education’’ and ‘‘National Laboratory’’ for this Act. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
14 

VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS

FUNDING FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS

A number of reports, including Rising Above the Gathering 

Storm from the NAS, emphasize the importance of funding researchers at the early stages of their careers in science and engineering. The Committee agrees that it is vital to provide support 

that allows young researchers to establish their laboratories and 

begin research projects that test accepted notions about existing 

fields and launch new fields. The Committee expects that NSF will 

continue its successful CAREER program, and the Act requires 

that, as overall funding for research expands at NSF, funding for 

CAREER expand proportionately to ensure that the pipeline of researchers remains strong. The Committee expects that DOE will 

build on its existing programs for young investigators to carry out 

the early career program authorized in this Act. 

In the Research Award Match Programs authorized at NSF and 

DOE, the Committee emphasizes that the projects to be supported 

should be fundamental research. In evaluating the applications, 

NSF and DOE are expected to place particular emphasis on the potential for creativity of the applicant and his ideas, i.e. on funding 

the ‘‘person’’ and not just the ‘‘project,’’ to empower recipients to 

propose and attempt high-risk risk, transformative research 

projects with the potential for significant scientific or technical advancement. This focus on the individual has been successfully emphasized in other grant programs, such as the Howard Hughes 

Medical Institute’s Investigators Program. 

Applicants do not need an industrial partner to apply for the 

grants under the Research Award Match Programs, and the base 

funding of $75,000 is available to an awardee each year independent of whether he receives funding for industry. In addition, 

awardees may receive federal matching funds for industry support 

in any year of the grant, independent of whether they have received it in the past. A goal of the program is to gain industry support for long-range, fundamental research that could have implications for industry down the road. The notion here is to fund the 

kind of basic research that once would be been funded by the great 

industrial laboratories. 

In both the Early Career Awards Program and the Research 

Award Match Program authorized at DOE in this Act, the Committee authorizes DOE, in awarding the grants, to take into account whether the proposed work includes collaboration with the 

DOE National Laboratories. The Committee intends that use of 

DOE facilities, such as light sources, particle accelerators, 

nanoscale science research centers, and supercomputers, be considered as collaboration with the laboratories, provided there is substantial time spent at the facility or considerable interactions with 

DOE staff associated with the use. 

The programs authorized in Sections 2, 3, 5, and 6 focus on encouraging and supporting the next generation of researchers at universities and non-profit research organizations. Equally critical is 

ensuring that Federal and National Laboratories can hire young researchers to replace the growing number of scientists at these laboratories that will be eligible for retirement in the coming years. 

The reports required in Sections 3 and 4 are designed to provide 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
15 

the Committee with information on how the NIST and DOE National Laboratories are using their existing authorities to attract 

and retain early career researchers with training in fields of national importance. 

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL QUESTIONS

ASSOCIATED WITH ADVANCES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Information technology offers tremendous benefits to society. Yet 

the advancements in information technology and its growing pervasiveness in our society also raises substantial social, economic, 

legal, ethical, and cultural questions. Artificial intelligence research, in particular, requires consideration of potential long-term 

consequences of advances in computer capabilities, including 

whether such advances would lead to computers (including both 

hardware and software) that may have the capacity for autonomy 

or self-awareness. Therefore, the Committee expects that NSF and 

DOE Office of Science, in carrying out the grant programs authorized in Sections 2, 3, and 9 of this Act, would consider research proposals to explore the development of technological means to maintain the security and securability of computers in order to inhibit 

self-awareness. The Committee also expects NSF and DOE Office 

of Science to consider proposals to study the ethical, legal, and societal concerns arising from the potential development of hardware 

and software that would be capable of mimicking human abilities 

to learn, reason, and make decisions. 

MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION

Often cutting-edge research requires the development and use of 

complex new instruments or systems of instruments. The Major 

Research Instrumentation program at NSF supports the development and acquisition of equipment that is too large to be purchased 

under a single grant and that can and will be shared across labs, 

departments, or schools within an institution of higher education, 

or even across institutions. The Committee supports the continuation of this focus and expects NSF and institutions of higher education to work together to ensure that adequate support is provided 

for the specialized technical operations and maintenance of equipment developed and acquired under this program so that the maximum impact of the instrumentation on research and education is 

realized. The changes made to the MRI program by the Act to increase the maximum grant award size and to allow grant funds to 

be used for support of operations and maintenance of instruments 

acquired under the program are consistent with the recommendations of the NAS report, Advanced Research Instrumentation and 

Facilities. 

In addition to the agency-wide Major Research Instrumentation 

program, NSF also runs field-specific instrumentation programs in 

various research directorates, and the Committee acknowledges 

and supports the appropriateness of these programs and the importance of the projects funded through them. 

RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS

The Committee expects NSF, in supporting research on the process of invention and the teaching of inventiveness, to involve the 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
16 

Directorate for Engineering, the Directorate for Social, Behavioral 

and Economic Sciences, and the Directorate for Education and 

Human Resources. In addition, the Committee expects that such 

activities might include research aimed at increasing understanding of the creative mind and creative environment, including 

studying the neural, cognitive and social factors that facilitate or 

inhibit moments of innovation and discovery and the social and 

cognitive processes underlying the development of curiosity and 

problem solving skills; developing measures of inventiveness; 

studying the cultural, social and geographic contexts of innovation, 

including examining the influence on inventiveness of flexible 

learning environments and the role of parents, teachers, and mentors; and examining what organizational forms and practices, including patents and other governmental policies, facilitate innovation, its transformation into products, and the movement of products to markets. 

IX. COST ESTIMATE

A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to the Committee on 

Science prior to the filing of this report and is included in Section 

X of this report pursuant to House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3). 

H.R. 5356 does not contain new budget authority, credit authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming that the 

sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 5356 does 

authorize additional discretionary spending, as described in the 

Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is contained 

in Section X of this report. 

X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

JUNE 20, 2006. 

Hon. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, 

Chairman, Committee on Science, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 5356, the Research for 

Competitiveness Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contacts are Deborah Reis and 

Leigh Angres. 

Sincerely, 

DONALD B. MARRON, 

Acting Director. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 5356—Research for Competitiveness Act 

Summary: H.R. 5356 would authorize appropriations for the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation 

(NSF) for research grant programs. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5356 would cost $67 million in 2007 and $1.2 billion 

over the 2007–2011 period, assuming appropriation of the specified 

and estimated amounts. Because H.R. 5356 would expand the authority of NSF to accept donations from nonfederal entities, enactVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:34 Jun 26, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR525.XXX HR525

CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
17 

ing the bill could effect revenues and direct spending, but CBO estimates that such effects would be insignificant. 

H.R. 5356 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would not directly affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 

governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 5356 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 250 (general science, 

space, and technology). 

Basis of estimate 

For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 5356 will be enacted 

by the end of fiscal year 2006 and that the entire amounts authorized and estimated to be necessary will be appropriated for each 

year. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns 

for NSF and DOE programs. 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 

SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Spending under current law: 

Budget authority 1 ............................................................... 273 0 0 0 0 0 

Estimated outlays ................................................................ 264 199 79 25 5 0 

Proposed changes: 

NSF grant programs: 

Estimated authorization level ............................................. 0 282 295 308 322 337 

Estimated outlays ................................................................ 0 62 192 257 286 304 

DOE grant programs: 

Authorization level ............................................................... 0 27 29 31 33 35 

Estimated outlays ................................................................ 0 5 26 29 31 33 

Total changes: 

Estimated authorization level .................................... 0 309 324 339 355 372 

Estimated outlays ....................................................... 0 67 218 286 317 337 

Spending under H.R. 5356: 

Estimated authorization level ............................................. 273 309 324 339 355 372 

Estimated outlays ................................................................ 264 266 297 311 322 337 

1 The 2006 level is the amount appropriated for that year for the NSF and DOE programs authorized by H.R. 5356. 

Spending subject to appropriation 

H.R. 5356 would authorize the appropriation of $309 million in 

2007 and about $1.7 billion for the 2007–2011 period for NSF and 

DOE programs. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, 

CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5356 would cost $67 million in fiscal year 2007 and $1.2 billion over the 2007–2011 period. 

As described below, most of these amounts would be used for federal grant programs. 

National Science Foundation Programs. H.R. 5356 would authorize funding for four NSF grant programs. The bill would authorize 

specific appropriations for two of these: between $3 million and $15 

million a year for matching grants to scientists and engineers for 

high- risk, high-return research and between $94 million and $123 

million a year to institutions of higher learning for purchases of 

major scientific equipment. In addition, the bill would direct NSF 

to allocate 3.5 percent of amounts appropriated each year for research and related activities for grants to scientists and engineers 

under its program that supports development of faculty early in 

their careers. Based on 2006 appropriations, we estimate that this 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
18 

provision would authorize the appropriation of $154 million in 2007 

and $800 million over the 2007–2011 period. Finally, the bill would 

direct NSF to establish a cross-disciplinary grant program focusing 

on physical and nonbiomedical life sciences. Based on information 

provided by NSF regarding similar programs, we estimate that this 

provision would authorize the appropriation of about $30 million 

annually. We estimate that implementing the four grant programs 

would cost $62 million in 2007 and $1.1 billion over the 2007–2011 

period. 

Department of Energy Programs. H.R. 5356 would specifically authorize the appropriation of $155 million over the 2007–2011 pe- riod for DOE grant programs. Of that amount, $125 million would 

be used to continue DOE’s early-career research grants to sci- entists. The remaining $30 million would be used to create a new 

matching grant program. Assuming appropriation of these 

amounts, CBO estimates that implementing these programs would 

cost $5 million in 2007 and about $125 million over the 2007–2011 

period. 

Direct spending and revenues 

By allowing NSF to accept donations for specific prize competitions, H.R. 5356 could increase revenues from donations and subsequent direct spending of those revenues. Under current law, NSF 

can use and receive funds only if donated without restriction. 

Based on information provided by NSF, CBO expects that the effects of this provision on revenues and direct spending would be 

negligible. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 5356 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined by 

UMRA and would not directly affect the budgets of state, local, or 

tribal governments. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis and Leigh 

Angres; impact on state, local, and tribal governments: Emily Holt 

and Lisa Ramirez-Branum; impact on the private sector: Craig 

Cammarata. 

Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4 (UNFUNDED MANDATES) 

H.R. 5356 contains no unfunded mandates. 

XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee on Science’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND

OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the goals of H.R. 

5356 are to establish programs to provide grants to researchers 

just starting their careers to conduct high- risk, high-return research; authorize the acquisition of shared scientific equipment by 

institutions of higher education; authorize a program at NSF to 

fund basic research designed to simultaneously advance the physical and nonbiomedical life sciences; authorize research at NSF on 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
19 

innovation; and authorize NASA to establish a NASA Academy to 

provide a scientific and engineering training program for NASA 

employees. 

XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States 

grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 5356. 

XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

H.R. 5356 does not establish nor authorize the establishment of 

any advisory committee. 

XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The Committee finds that H.R. 5356 does not relate to the terms 

and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

XVII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL

LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

XVIII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italics 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

SECTION 11 OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 

ACT OF 1950 

GENERAL AUTHORITY OF FOUNDATION

SEC. 11. The Foundation shall have the authority, within the 

limits of available appropriations, to do all things necessary to 

carry out the provisions of this Act, including, but without being 

limited thereto, the authority— (a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(f) to receive and use funds donated by others, if such funds 

are donated without restriction other than that they be used 

in furtherance of one or more of the general purposes of the 

Foundation, except that funds may be donated for specific prize 

competitions; 

* * * * * * * 

XIX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On June 7, 2006, a quorum being present, the Committee on 

Science favorably reported H.R. 5356, The Research for Competitiveness Act, as amended, by a voice vote and recommended its enactment. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
20 

XX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2006 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 2:39 p.m., in Room 2318 

of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L. Boehlert 

[Chairman of the Committee] presiding. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. I want to welcome everyone here for this 

markup on three important and bipartisan bills. The Committee on 

Science will come to order, as I started to say. 

Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science meets to consider 

H.R. 5136, the National Integrated Drought Information System 

Act of 2006; H.R. 5358, the Science and Mathematics Education for 

Competitiveness Act; and H.R. 5356, the Research for Competitiveness Act. 

I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the Committee at any point during consideration of these matters, and 

without objection, it is so ordered. 

We will now proceed with the markup beginning with opening 

statements. I will go first, followed by my distinguished colleague 

and partner in this venture, Mr. Gordon. 

I am going to make all my general comments on today’s bills 

now, and not speak on the bills later on. Since we have to squeeze 

in a lot of business this afternoon between Floor votes, and according to the report from the Floor, we can expect a series of votes 

some time in the 4:00 to 4:15 timeframe. 

As usual with this committee, these bills reflect a lot of bipartisan work to solve real problems in practical ways. 

Our first bill today will be a measure to improve drought forecasting and monitoring, introduced by Mr. Hall. I appreciate Mr. 

Hall bringing this matter to our attention. 

Drought may seem like something that is easy to detect, but 

hard to do anything about; but that turns out to be wrong on both 

counts. It is tricky to figure out when a drought is developing, but 

if one knows, one can take many steps to alter water usage to mitigate drought’s often severe economic consequences. So we need to 

pay more attention to this costly phenomenon, and Mr. Hall’s bill, 

building on existing federal efforts, will enable us to improve 

drought forecasting and monitoring, which will save billions, with 

a ‘‘B,’’ billions of dollars. So, I expect this bill to move smoothly 

today, and on the House Floor. We will have one manager’s amendment today, to reduce the authorization levels, to make that 

progress to the Floor a little easier. 

The other two bills we will take up today are the Committee’s 

long-awaited innovation package. 

Our goal here is to take action on the recommendations of the 

National Academy of Sciences, the Council on Competitiveness, 

AEA, the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, and others, who have been calling for the U.S. to shore 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
21 

up its competitiveness by focusing more attention and more dollars 

on research and education. 

These calls were really music to our ears, because we have been 

issuing the same entreaties ourselves on this committee for a number of years, and especially in the last couple of years, as the challenge to future U.S. competitiveness has never become clearer. 

But we didn’t want to answer those calls with a laundry list of 

new programs of dubious value, that would be unlikely to ever get 

funded. It might give us a lot of satisfaction and some fancy press 

releases, but that is not what this committee is about. We are 

about results. Indeed, we looked around to see what is working 

right now, or what has worked in the recent past, and then, we extended or expanded or built on those successful programs, and the 

result is a focused, bipartisan measure that should be able to move 

swiftly through the House. 

This measure is an intelligent middle ground between those who 

want to create scores of new, untested, expensive programs, and 

those who argue that all that is necessary is to increase overall 

funding for basic research, and leave everything else to chance. If 

we are to remain competitive, then we have to bolster key programs at the National Science Foundation, especially focused on K–

12 and undergraduate education, and it is the prerogative of the 

Congress to do that. 

I want to thank Dr. Schwarz and Mr. McCaul, two active freshmen on this committee with a deep understanding of these issues, 

for introducing these bills. 

And I want to thank Mr. Gordon and the Members on both sides 

of the aisle, who worked with us on developing the final versions 

of these bills that are in the amendments in the nature of a substitute, including Dr. Ehlers and Ms. Biggert and Mr. Calvert, Ms. 

Jackson Lee and Mr. Green, and Mr. Honda. You get the idea of 

how we operate. Fingerprints of Members on both sides of the aisle 

are all over these bills, and that is the way it should be. 

The Schwarz bill focuses on education programs at the National 

Science Foundation, which runs programs that are critical to improving math and science education at all levels. The bill includes 

enhancing and extending the Noyce Scholarship program, one of 

my pet projects, to attract and better train science and math teachers. We also give renewed emphasis to the Math and Science Partnership program, now renamed the School and University Partnership Program. 

And we underscore NSF’s role in the sometimes neglected, but 

critical area of undergraduate education. We also give clear authority to the Department of Energy for education programs, and we 

require an inventory and an evaluation of those programs. 

In Mr. McCaul’s bill, we bolster research by ensuring that both 

NSF and DOE, we will set aside funding for young researchers, 

who are likely to perform the most creative and pathbreaking 

work. And we revive and idea from the 1980s, to try to get industry 

interested in these young academic researchers and in their longterm, basic research. 

I would add that both of these bills, and the underlying 2002 

NSF Act, direct that the programs in these bills, among other 

things, help bring more individuals from under-represented groups 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
22 

into science, math, and engineering, and that is a goal that many 

Members of this committee have been very active in pursuing. 

So, we are taking action today, as we promised when we heard 

from the leaders of the National Academies Gathering Storm panel 

last year. We are setting a realistic agenda to increase U.S. investment in research and education in carefully targeted ways. 

I look forward to moving this legislation today, and to continuing 

efforts to see it signed into law this year. And I will continue to 

work with the appropriators to see that they provide the funding 

called for in the American Competitiveness Initiative and in these 

bills. 

Now, it is my privilege to turn to my partner in this venture, the 

distinguished gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Gordon. 

[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

I want to welcome everyone here for this markup on three important and bipartisan bills. I’m going to make all my general comments on today’s bills now and not 

speak on the bills later, since we have to squeeze in a lot of business this afternoon 

between Floor votes. 

As usual with this committee, these bills reflect a lot of bipartisan work to solve 

real problems in practical ways. 

Our first bill today will be a measure to improve drought forecasting and monitoring, introduced by Mr. Hall. I appreciate Mr. Hall bringing this matter to our 

attention. 

Drought may seem like something that is easy to detect but hard to do anything 

about. But that turns out to be wrong on both counts. It’s tricky to figure out when 

a drought is developing, but if one knows, one can take many steps to alter water 

usage to mitigate drought’s often severe economic consequences. So we need to pay 

more attention to this costly phenomenon, and Mr. Hall’s bill, building on existing 

federal efforts, will enable us to improve drought forecasting and monitoring, which 

will save billions of dollars. So I expect this bill to move smoothly today and on the 

House Floor. 

We will have one manager’s amendment today to reduce the authorization levels 

to make that progress to the Floor a little easier. 

The other two bills we will take up today are the Committee’s long awaited innovation package. 

Our goal here is to take action on the recommendations of the National Academy 

of Sciences, the Council on Competitiveness, AEA, the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers and others who have been calling for the U.S. 

to shore up its competitiveness by focusing more attention and more dollars on research and education. 

These calls were really music to our ears because we’ve been issuing the same 

entreaties ourselves for years, and especially in the last couple of years as the challenge to future U.S. competitiveness has become ever clearer. 

But we didn’t want to answer these calls with a laundry list of new programs of 

dubious value that would be unlikely to ever get funded. Instead, we looked around 

to see what is working right now or what has worked in the recent past, and then 

we extended or expanded or built on those successful programs. And the result is 

a focused, bipartisan measure that should be able to move swiftly through the 

House. 

This measure is an intelligent middle-ground between those who want to create 

scores of new, untested, expensive programs and those who argue that all that’s necessary is to increase overall funding for basic research and leave everything else to 

chance. If we are to remain competitive, then we have to bolster key programs at 

the National Science Foundation (NSF), especially programs focused on K–12 and 

undergraduate education, and it’s the prerogative of the Congress to do that. 

I want to thank Mr. Schwarz and Mr. McCaul, two active freshmen on this committee with a deep understanding of these issues, for introducing these bills. 

And I want to thank Mr. Gordon and the Members on both sides of the aisle who 

worked with us on developing the final versions of these bills that are in the amendments in the nature of a substitute, including Mr. Ehlers, Ms. Biggert, Mr. Calvert, 

Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Green and Mr. Honda. 

The Schwarz bill focuses on education programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), which runs programs that are critical to improving math and science 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
23 

education at all levels. The bill includes enhancing and extending the Noyce Scholarship program, one of my pet projects, to attract and train better science and math 

teachers. We also give renewed emphasis to the Math and Science Partnership program, now renamed the School and University Partnership Program. 

And we underscore NSF’s role in the sometimes neglected, but critical area of undergraduate education. We also give clear authority to the Department of Energy 

(DOE) for education programs, and we require an inventory and evaluation of those 

programs. 

In Mr. McCaul’s bill, we bolster research by ensuring that both NSF and DOE 

we will set aside funding for young researchers, who are likely to perform the most 

creative and pathbreaking work. And we revive an idea from the 1980s to try to 

get industry interested in these young academic researchers and in their long-term, 

basic research. 

I would add that both these bills, and the underlying 2002 NSF Act, direct that 

the programs in these bills, among other things, help bring more individuals from 

under-represented into science, math and engineering. 

So we’re taking action today as we promised when we heard from the leaders of 

the National Academy’s Gathering Storm panel last year. We are setting a realistic 

agenda to increase U.S. investment in research and education in carefully targeted 

ways. 

I look forward to moving this legislation today, and to continuing efforts to see 

it signed into law this year. And I will continue to work with the appropriators to 

see that they provide the funding called for in the American Competitiveness Initiative and in these bills. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. We will now consider H.R. 5356, the Research for Competitiveness Act. I recognize Mr. Gordon for his remarks. 

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I think we are moving along well. 

Let me just say once again, I think this is a good bill. I think 

it would have been better if we had added the ARPA–E recommendations from the ‘‘Rising Above the Gathering Storm’’ bill 

that myself and most Members here have co-sponsored. 

Just to, once again, remind people, so that it stays on your radar, 

so hopefully, we will have a chance to deal with this later. But the 

Department of Defense had a little agency called DARPA, and we 

are familiar with that. It is in the advanced research area. They 

developed the Internet. They developed stealth technology, and a 

number of other important technologies. What we would like to see, 

and again, following on the recommendations of the report, is that 

within the Department of Energy, we set up a similar type of advanced research agency, that we look around, you know, the country, and we determine the eight or ten—for them to determine the 

eight or ten best technologies, where we could have some breakthrough with energy and alternative energies, that we bring the 

National Labs, the private sector, the universities together, really 

hunker down, focus on these, like they have done in DARPA, and 

see if we can’t have some breakthroughs. 

And again, I will not make it as an amendment, but I raise it 

as an issue, so that we can hopefully talk about this more at a 

later date. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE BART GORDON

Today, the Committee will consider legislative proposals for improving the future 

competitiveness of the Nation. 

The manager’s amendments to H.R. 5356 and H.R. 5358, which I have co-sponsored, meld provisions from the majority’s bills and my bipartisan bills, H.R. 4434 

and H.R. 4596. 

I want to thank the Chairman and other Members of the Majority for working 

with me to improve both the scope and funding levels authorized in the manager’s 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
24 

amendments so that they are more in-line with the recommendations of the recent 

report from the National Academy of Sciences, Rising Above the Gathering Storm. 

The resulting legislation focuses specifically on improving science and math education and on strengthening basic research. 

The markup vehicles now implement a number of the key recommendations of the 

Gathering Storm report, recommendations which represent a consensus for action 

from a distinguished panel representing business, academic, and education leaders. 

Last year, I introduced three bills based on the Rising Storm panel’s recommendations that were in the Science Committee’s jurisdiction, and I had hoped to see early 

action by Congress in implementing them. 

With the general uncertainty about our country’s future economic prospects, we 

need to act promptly. At a recent ETS Subcommittee hearing with NIST’s three 

Nobel Prize winners, all three agreed that we need to increase our investment in 

basic research and to improve K–12 science and math education. 

The Gathering Storm report states that ‘‘laying the foundation for a scientifically 

literate workforce begins with developing outstanding K–12 teachers in science and 

mathematics.’’

I believe the report got it exactly right and has identified teachers as the first 

priority. 

Therefore, I am pleased that the markup vehicle for H.R. 5358 will implement the 

top priority of the Academies’ report, which is to put in place effective teacher training programs for new and in-service science and math teachers. 

The proposed modifications to the Noyce scholarship program will transform it 

into much more than a scholarship program. It will spur reform to change the way 

colleges and universities educate new science and math teachers. Teachers who 

emerge from the program will combine deep knowledge of their subject with expertise in the most effective practices for teaching science or math. 

The new teachers will also receive mentoring and support during the critical early 

years of their teaching careers, when teacher attrition is known to be high. 

Finally, the program is authorized at a level that would enable it to meet the goal 

of producing 10,000 highly qualified science and math teachers each year within the 

President’s goal of doubling the NSF budget. 

In short, the manager’s amendment now implements the highest priority of the 

Rising Storm report. In addition, the NSF’s major K–12 education program involving partnerships between universities and school systems is strengthened by the 

manager’s amendment. Emphasis is placed on professional development opportunities for practicing teachers, including support for Master’s degree programs and 

teacher institutes. 

While I am largely satisfied with these bills, I am disappointed that the Science 

Committee is being a follower and not a leader on the critical issue of innovation. 

We are following the action of Senate committees to move legislation, and the bills 

before us today were only recently introduced. 

In addition, we are taking a timid approach by not addressing all of the Gathering 

Storm report’s recommendations within the Committee’s jurisdiction. 

We are not taking up ARPA–E legislation to help meet the Nation’s critical energy 

needs, and we are not authorizing the NSF and DOE Office of Science funding increases called for in both the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative and 

in the National Academy’s report. As the authorizing committee for these agencies, 

we are ducking our responsibilities if we do not act. 

So while the bills before us today are a good start, they do not represent a comprehensive approach. I hope the Committee will soon act to provide the missing 

pieces. 

Mr. Chairman, I yield back my time. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Ehlers follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE VERNON J. EHLERS

There are many ways we can foster innovation and competition at the national 

level, but the most critical is the support of education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. I am pleased that today’s bills artfully address this 

area by focusing on programs that maximize innovation and educational opportunities. By addressing teacher training, graduate interdisciplinary studies, and research in areas that bridge scientific fields, these bills combine to provide a comprehensive alliance putting us on the right track to remain competitive in today’s 

global economy. NSF education programs play a strong role in promoting our economic competitiveness and national security and I am glad that my colleagues on 

the Committee recognize that this treasure trove of knowledge the Foundation represents should not be overlooked. The bills also demonstrate a strong commitment 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
25 

toward fundamental research, and place an emphasis on the promise of young research professors. 

I look forward to working with my colleagues and the scientific community to advance this important legislation. I believe that both bills align with the mission of 

bolstering American Competitiveness, and will support them strongly when they are 

considered by the whole House. 

[The prepared statement of Ms. Johnson follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member. 

I am happy that the Republican leadership has finally put together a package of 

legislation in response to the President’s call for increased national competitiveness 

in science, technology, engineering and math. 

This initiative underscores the recommendations of several important reports, including the report called Rising Above the Gathering Storm, released last year by 

the National Academy of Sciences. 

A nation lacking science and math competitiveness is a nation lacking a future 

of prosperity. Advances in medicine, engineering and technology have touched every 

aspect of our lives. 

The bills up for consideration today focus on particular weaknesses in our national scientific enterprise. 

The enhancement of early career awards for investigators in the physical sciences 

will be important in maintaining our national pipeline of talent. 

Support of high-risk, high-reward research projects pertinent to industry are designed to spur innovation. 

Cross-disciplinary research is an important sector, and it is good to encourage collaboration between life sciences and the physical sciences. 

As always, the NASA workforce is deserving of the Committee’s support, especially when it comes to programs to strengthen that workforce. 

Moreover, Mr. Chairman, the provisions in H.R. 5358 are likewise good ideas to 

enhance math and science education at all levels. 

Programs such as the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship provide strong support 

to math and science teachers, particularly as they enter the final years of their 

training. Research has shown that these years are critical for retention of teachers, 

and so it is good to provide support at this critical point in their education. 

Advanced degree programs for teachers such as those specified in the School and 

University Partnerships for Science and Math Education provision, are also important to keep educators on the cutting edge of their course material. 

H.R. 5358 contains many creative provisions to support math and science teachers 

from the beginning of their training throughout their careers. 

I believe this support is critical to enhancing students’ views of math and science. 

Students need to see mentors who have passion for the subject material. 

One particular concern of mine is regarding our nation’s people of color. Minorities, with the exception of students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 

are not pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math at the same 

rate of their peers. 

My hope was to see a much greater emphasis on programs supporting ethnic minorities. Although I commend the efforts of the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy and other organizations that support research in the physical 

sciences, the problem is clearly far from being resolved. 

This issue, of minority participation in math and science careers, is one I would 

like to see this committee address much more intently in the future. 

As former Chair of the Research Subcommittee, I support this committee’s efforts 

to enhance programs in the name of national competitiveness. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Honda follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL M. HONDA

Mr. Chairman, thank you for recognizing me, and I’ll be brief. 

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for working 

with me to include language about what I’ve been calling ‘‘teaching innovation’’ in 

the manager’s amendment. 

The language would allow NSF to use funding for the development and dissemination of curriculum materials that will help foster inventiveness and innovation, 

and to research the process of innovation and the teaching of inventiveness. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
26 

I think that as we strive to train new scientists, engineers, and teachers to maintain global competitiveness in science and technology, we must realize that we cannot just train them in the same old way we have used in the past. 

We need to introduce them to new fields, teach them to be interdisciplinary, and 

ensure that they are taught the creativity and thinking skills of highly inventive 

and innovative people. 

Data on patent awards shows that in especially innovative high-tech companies, 

the cutting edge work has really been driven by a few highly innovative scientists 

and engineers. We need to figure out how these people ‘‘do it’’ and teach others those 

skills. That’s what my language does. 

I’m not the only one who thinks this—leading experts made similar recommendations in the MIT–Lemelson Program report ‘‘Invention,’’ and many high-tech CEOs 

have told me the same thing and have endorsed my stand-alone bill from which this 

language is adapted, the INVENT Act, H.R. 5477. 

So again, I thank the Chairman for working with me to include this in the manager’s amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you so much. 

I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read and 

open to amendment at any point, and that the Members proceed 

with the amendments in the order on the roster. Without objection, 

it is so ordered. 

The first amendment on the roster is an amendment offered in 

the nature of a substitute, offered by the gentleman from Texas, 

Mr. McCaul. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment in the 

nature of a substitute be treated as original text for purposes of 

amendment under the five minute rule, and without objection, that 

is so ordered. 

The Clerk will report the amendment. 

The CLERK. Amendment to H.R. 5356, offered by Mr. McCaul of 

Texas. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with 

the reading. Without objection, so ordered. 

And I recognize Mr. McCaul for five minutes to explain this substitute amendment. 

Mr. MCCAUL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank 

the Ranking Member, Mr. Gordon. Not to be outdone by the Ranking Member, I have actually triplets in pre-K, and five children 

overall, so I think the term active freshman by the Chairman is appropriate in this case. 

This amendment is about the future. It is the product of many 

hearings, including a field hearing, which Congressman Lamar 

Smith chaired, and I participated in Austin, Texas, at the IT World 

Congress. 

As many of you know, the technologies which enabled e-commerce to become a reality in the 1990s are based on research initially conducted at universities like the University of Texas, which 

is in my hometown. 

Many of these programs were funded by federal agencies, such 

as the National Science Foundation and DARPA, United States investments in research and development during the past fifty years 

provided these breakthroughs, which transformed American society, and helped the U.S. to build the world’s dominant economy. 

When you use a web browser, send an e-mail, or even use the 

Internet, you can thank those thinkers and innovators at American 

universities who have helped develop these great technologies that 

made our world smaller. 

Today, the technology developed in university labs translates 

into multi-billion dollar industries. For instance, in 2005, compaVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:34 Jun 26, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR525.XXX HR525

CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
27 

nies in my home State of Texas exported $31 billion in computers 

and electronic products. So, you can see why it is important to nurture the minds and the innovators who are working on the most 

cutting edge ideas, and those who are preparing to be America’s 

next high-tech workforce. The bills which our committee is marking 

up today intend to do just that. 

I am pleased to introduce today a substitute that improves on 

this important legislation, and I would like to thank my colleagues 

on both sides of the aisle for their support and comments, especially Chairman Boehlert, Ranking Member Gordon, Ms. Jackson 

Lee for helping us to include language on diversity, and Mr. 

Honda, and all the hardworking staff, and especially Elizabeth 

Grossman of the majority staff for her hard work on this important 

legislation. 

The substitute, which combines the two original bills into one, 

the Research for Competitiveness Act, carries forward the language 

on providing grants for scientists and engineers in the early stage 

of their academic careers, to establish innovative lines of research. 

In this capacity, we are investing in minds, and hoping to create 

America’s next high-tech workforce. It also recognizes the economic 

potential of scientific research by supporting scientists who conduct 

high risk, high return research, by creating a grant program that 

includes investments from both the Federal Government, and from 

private industry. This partnership will provide much needed synergy between some of the greatest minds at our universities and 

the private sector, to create incentives in areas with the most potential for significant technical advancement, and this is an area, 

Mr. Chairman, that we have talked about consistently throughout 

this Congress, and I am so proud to see this advance forward in 

legislation here today. 

This substitute also emphasizes the importance of basic research, 

which forms the building blocks for the most important scientific 

discoveries. To aid that research, the substitute also provides specific authorizations and guidance for the major research instrumentation program at NSF. This helps universities acquire the shared 

scientific equipment that is essential to scientists working in the 

fields from nanotechnology to astronomy. 

The amendment also authorizes an NSF program to foster research at the boundary between the physical and biological 

sciences. Recognizing the need to support scientists working in the 

exciting areas at the intersections between traditional disciplines. 

Finally, this amendment will add language recognizing the 

NASA workforce’s contributions to innovation through the NASA 

science programs. 

America’s competitors in the global IT marketplace are pouring 

billions into their science and technology infrastructure, rapidly 

building their innovation capacity, and dramatically increasing 

their ability to compete with the United States on the world stage. 

As our foreign competitors increase their investment in innovation, 

we too must do the same. That investment does not just mean dollars and cents. It also means building and maintaining a strong 

and well educated high-tech workforce. 

Improving math and science education for our kids, and providing incentives for our college students to pursue degrees and careers in a technical field, are equally important to any financial inVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:34 Jun 26, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR525.XXX HR525

CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
28 

vestment America could make in its quest for technological innovation. 

In closing, we have a great opportunity here today to help drive 

American innovation, and to build upon our high-tech workforce. I 

urge my colleagues on this committee to vote yes on the substitute 

amendment, and report the bill to the Floor for consideration. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. McCaul follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL

Thank you Mr. Chairman, 

As you know, many of the technologies which enabled e-commerce to become a 

reality in the 1990s are based on research initially conducted at universities like 

the University of Texas, which is in my hometown of Austin. Many of those programs were funded by federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation 

and DARPA. United States investments in research and development during the 

past 50 years provided these breakthroughs which transformed American society 

and helped the U.S. to build the world’s dominant economy. 

When you use a web browser, send an e-mail or even use the Internet, you can 

thank those thinkers and innovators at American universities who have helped develop these great technologies that made our world smaller. Today, the technology 

developed in university labs translates into multi-billion dollar industries. For instance, in 2005, companies in my home State of Texas exported $31 billion 

in computers and electronic products—and that is just Texas. 

So you can see why it’s so important to nurture the minds and the innovators who 

are working on the most cutting edge ideas, and those who are preparing to be 

America’s next high-tech workforce—the bills which our committee is marking up 

today intend to do just that. 

I am pleased to introduce today a substitute that improves on this important legislation. This amendment is the product of May’s hearings, including a field hearing 

chaired by Congressman Lamar Smith in Austin, Texas at the IT World Congress. 

I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support 

and comments, especially Chairman Boehlert, Ranking Member Gordon, Ms. Jackson Lee for helping us to include language on diversity, and Mr. Honda and all their 

hardworking staff—especially Elizabeth Grossman of the Majority staff. The substitute, which combines the two original bills into one, the Research for Competitiveness Act, carries forward the language on providing grants for scientists and engineers in the early stage of their academic careers to establish innovative lines of 

research. In this capacity, we are investing in minds and hoping to create America’s 

next high-tech workforce. 

It also recognizes the economic potential of scientific research by supporting scientists who conduct high-risk, high-return research, by creating a grant program 

that includes investments from both the Federal Government and from private industry. This partnership will provide much needed synergy between some of the 

greatest minds at our universities and the private sector to create incentives in 

areas with the most potential for significant technical advancement. 

This substitute also emphasizes the importance of basic research, which forms the 

building blocks for the most important scientific discoveries. To aid that research, 

the substitute also provides specific authorizations and guidance for the Major Research Instrumentation program at NSF, which helps universities acquire the 

shared scientific equipment that is essential to scientists working in fields from 

nanotechnology to astronomy. The amendment also authorizes an NSF program to 

foster research at the boundary between the physical and biological sciences, recognizing the need to support scientists working in the exciting areas at the intersections between traditional disciplines. Finally, this amendment will add language 

recognizing the NASA workforce’s contribution to innovation through the NASA 

science programs. 

America’s competitors in the global IT marketplace are pouring billions into their 

science and technology infrastructure, rapidly building their innovation capacity and 

dramatically increasing their ability to compete with U.S. companies on the world 

stage. 

As our foreign competitors increase their investment in innovation, we too must 

do the same. That investment does not just mean dollars and cents, it also means 

building and maintaining a strong and well educated high-tech workforce. 

Improving math and science education for our kids and providing incentives for 

our college students to pursue degrees and careers in a technical field are equally 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
29 

important to any financial investment America could make in its quest for technological innovation. In closing, we have a great opportunity here today to help drive 

American innovation and to build upon our high-tech workforce, and I urge my colleagues on the Science Committee to vote YES on the Substitute Amendment, and 

report the bill for Floor consideration. 

Thank you. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. I want to thank Mr. McCaul for his leadership on this issue, and for your eloquent explanation, not only of 

the provisions of the bill, the reasons why it is so desperately needed. So, thank you for your leadership. 

Is there anyone else who wish to be heard? Mr. Sherman. 

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The gentleman is recognized. 

Mr. SHERMAN. I commend both the author of the bill and the author of the manager’s amendment. This is a good bill. 

I, in some other context, would offer an amendment, but in this 

case, I don’t need to, because I am working with the Chairman on 

report language that will fully address my concerns, and I promise 

that it won’t be a page long. We will get it down to a paragraph. 

One area—the bill isn’t overly specific as to the substance of the 

research to be done, but one area that I think we do need more research in was the subject of hearings before this committee. When 

I asked for a consensus of the panel, and they came to a rough consensus that we are about 25 years away from supercomputers that 

exceed human intelligence. And so, I hope to work with the Chairman to include report language that one of the areas that we ought 

to get these young researchers involved in is the area of when you 

design a supercomputer, and you are seeking that maximum level 

of intelligence, what do you put into that research, into that supercomputer, that avoids, or at least seeks to avoid, self awareness. Or 

if you can’t do that, how do you at least achieve, or how do you at 

least design the computer to avoid ambition. And I hope that would 

be among the many things that these fine young researchers research, and I thank the Chairman for his willingness to work on 

report language. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. I thank the gentleman very much. I don’t 

mean to add to your concerns, but when you talk about supercomputers exceeding the intelligence of man in 25 years or so, my 

grandson’s got a Game Boy that exceeds my intelligence level, but 

I thank you for that intervention, and of course, we will continue 

to work with you, as we develop report language. 

I would hope that visitors not particularly familiar with the Hill 

would learn something from this hearing. I like to think that this 

committee has it right. I mean, we work well together. We don’t 

spend a lot of time trying to score partisan points on either side, 

as we approach a very serious matter called Election 2006. 

What we really try to do is emphasize the importance of the subject matter at hand, and try to figure out how we can sort out any 

differences, and come to some reasonable conclusions, and you 

know what? Nothing ever comes out where everybody is completely 

happy, but I think this committee reports products that everyone 

can be proud of. So, thank you for your intervention, and I thank 

all my colleagues for what they have to offer. 

Any other discussion on this particular amendment? All right, 

the second amendment on the roster is offered by the gentleman 

from North Carolina, Mr. Miller. Are you ready to proceed? 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
30 

Mr. MILLER. I am, Mr. Chairman. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The Clerk will report the amendment. 

The CLERK. Amendment to H.R. 5356, offered by Mr. Miller of 

North Carolina. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with 

the reading. Without objection, it is so ordered. 

The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain the 

amendment. 

Mr. MILLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

This bill is undoubtedly an important bill, H.R. 5356. It does follow the recommendations of the Augustine report, which we have 

referred to repeatedly during this hearing, during this markup, 

rather, during this meeting, and undoubtedly, we need to encourage young scientists to conduct higher risk, high return research 

early in their careers, so that we can tap into their enthusiasm, 

their intellect, their originality, and provide the research that will 

be necessary to make sure that our nation remains at the forefront 

of every new technology, and that we remain the most innovative 

economy on Earth. 

But Mr. Chairman, I am very concerned that we are missing an 

important step. We still have a Valley of Death, once ideas have 

made it through basic research, but before they can reach the marketplace. I have spoken with you, Mr. Chairman. I have spoken in 

Committee meetings. I have spoken privately with many Members 

of the Committee, including the Chairman, including Dr. Ehlers 

and others, about this problem, and the importance of trying to 

help get ideas to that stage of being commercially viable. 

It often is not really that much money that stands in the way, anywhere from $2,000 to $40,000. But particularly for smaller colleges and universities, that small amount of money is an insuperable problem, an insuperable hurdle in trying to get an idea from 

research to the marketplace to commercial viability, to where there 

can be a liquidity event, in the language of one witness in a hearing on this topic earlier this year or last. 

And until those colleges and universities can establish a self-sustaining pipeline to get ideas from research to viability, they simply 

cannot do it. This amendment would establish a very modest grant 

program to help colleges and universities establish a pre-competitive technology transfer center, simply to establish proof of concept, 

to patent and license, to cover patent and licensing expenses, to 

conduct feasibility studies. And the colleges and universities would 

have to be weaned from this funding fairly quickly. They would 

have to get programs up and running. They would have to establish a pipeline. They would have to learn to be self-sufficient. They 

would have four years, four years and no more. 

Mr. Chairman, I have spoken to you about this problem, about 

the need. You have agreed with the need, I understand, that you 

agree with my concern. You share my concern, and you think this 

might be a good idea, but you are not entirely convinced that it is 

a good idea as an amendment to this bill. 

Mr. Chairman, if you are willing to work with me, to discuss 

with me other ways to get at this problem, to make sure that agencies within the jurisdiction of this committee may help solve the 

problem of getting, of technology transfer at that pre-competitive 

stage, I will certainly consider withdrawing the amendment. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
31 

Chairman BOEHLERT. I can assure the gentleman that I will continue the dialogue that we enjoy, and if the past is prologue, your 

persuasiveness is such that you are getting me, slowly but surely. 

Mr. MILLER. Mr. Chairman, there are some other issues we 

might discuss as well. But on this issue, I will accept the assurances of the Chairman, which I have learned are offered in good 

faith and can be relied upon, and I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Without objection, so ordered. 

Are there any other amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? If no, the vote occurs on the amendment in 

the nature of a substitute. All in favor, say aye. Aye. The opposed, 

no. The nos don’t have it. The ayes have it, and the amendment 

is agreed to. 

Are there any other amendments? Hearing none, the vote is on 

the bill H.R. 5356, the Research for Competitiveness Act, as amended. All those in favor will say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. In the opinion 

of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

I now recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a motion. 

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably report H.R. 5356, as amended, to the House, with the recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass. 

Furthermore, I move that the staff be instructed to prepare the 

legislative report, and make necessary technical and conforming 

changes, and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring 

the bill before the House for consideration. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The question is on the motion to report the 

bill, as amended, favorably. Those in favor of the motions will say 

aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is favorably reported. 

Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. 

I move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in which 

to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views on the measure. 

I move, pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, that the Committee authorizes the 

Chairman to offer such motions as may be necessary in the House 

to adopt and pass H.R. 5356, the Research for Competitiveness Act, 

as amended. Without objection, so ordered. 

I want to thank all the Members for their attendance, not just 

today, but for their active participation in the important deliberations of this committee. 

This concludes our markup. 

[Whereupon, at 3:53 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING

CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
(33) 

Appendix: 

H.R. 5356, SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY, AMENDMENT ROSTER


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
34 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356hh.eps
35 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356ii.eps
36 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356jj.eps
37 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356kk.eps
38 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356ll.eps
39 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356mm.eps
40 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356nn.eps
41 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356oo.eps
42 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356pp.eps
43 

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY OF H.R. 5356, 

RESEARCH FOR COMPETITIVENESS ACT

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE 

‘‘Research for Competitiveness Act.’’

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY CAREER AWARDS 

FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS 

Establishes a program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants 

to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and research institutions. Allows the existing Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program to be designated as the mechanism for awarding 

such grants. Sets the duration of the awards to be five years and the amount per 

year to be at least $80,000. Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty at institutions of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, such as observatories. Requires the award recipients to be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, based on the intellectual merit of the proposed work; the innovative 

or transformative nature of the proposed research; the extent to which the proposal 

integrates research and education, including undergraduate education in science 

and engineering disciplines; and the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 

frontiers of knowledge. Requires the Director to allocate at least 3.5 percent of funds 

appropriated for Research and Related Activities each year to the grants program 

under this section. 

Requires the Director of NSF to provide to Congress within six months a report 

describing the distribution of the CAREER Program awardees since fiscal year 2001 

among different types of institutions. Requires the Director to provide to Congress 

within two years a report evaluating the impact of the CAREER Program on the 

ability of young faculty to compete for NSF research grants. 

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR 

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS 

Establishes at the Department of Energy Office of Science a program to award 

grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions 

of higher education and research institutions. Allows the awards to be for up to five 

years and the amount per year to be at least $80,000. Eligible applicants are tenuretrack faculty at institutions of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, such as observatories. Requires the award recipients to be selected on a 

competitive, merit-reviewed basis, based on the intellectual merit of the proposed 

work; the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research; the extent 

to which the proposal integrates research and education, including undergraduate 

education in science and engineering disciplines; and the potential of the applicant 

for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. Requires the Director to give priority 

to proposals in which the proposed work includes collaboration with a National Laboratory. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $25,000,000 for each of the 

fiscal years 2007 through 2011. 

Requires the Director of the Office of Science to provide to Congress within three 

months of enactment a report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and 

engineers at the early stages of their careers at the civilian National Laboratories. 

The report shall include a description of incentives for recruitment and retention, 

an evaluation of the effectiveness of the incentives, a description of barriers to recruitment and retention, and the amount and source of funding devoted to recruitment and retention efforts. 

SEC. 4. REPORT ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EARLY CAREER 

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS 

Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to 

provide to Congress within three months of enactment a report on efforts to recruit 

and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology. The report shall include a description of incentives for recruitment and retention, an evaluation of the effectiveness 

of the incentives, a description of barriers to recruitment and retention, and the 

amount and source of funding devoted to recruitment and retention efforts. 

SEC. 5. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH AWARD MATCH 

PROGRAM (originated in H.R. 5357) 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
44 

Establishes a program at NSF to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed 

basis to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions 

of higher education and research institutions to conduct high-risk, high-return fundamental research with the potential for significant scientific or technical advancement. Sets the duration of the awards to be up to five years and the amount per 

year to be up to $75,000, with an additional $37,500 available each year as a oneto-one match for funds the awardee raises from industry for the proposed research. 

Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty at institutions of higher education or the 

equivalent at research organizations, such as observatories. Requires the criteria for 

awardee selection to include the potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge; the innovative or transformative nature of research in the areas 

of interest described in the application; the creativity of the applicant; and the potential interest to industry of research in the areas of interest described in the application. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $3,000,000 for fiscal year 

2007; $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; $12,000,000 

for fiscal year 2010; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AWARD MATCH PROGRAM (originated in H.R. 5357) 

Establishes a program at the Department of Energy Office of Science to award 

grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to scientists and engineers at the 

early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and research institutions to conduct high-risk, high-return fundamental research with the potential for 

significant scientific or technical advancement. Sets the duration of the awards to 

be up to five years and the amount per year to be up to $75,000, with an additional 

$37,500 available each year as a one-to-one match for funds the awardee raises from 

industry for the proposed research. Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty at 

institutions of higher education or the equivalent at research organizations, such as 

observatories. Requires the criteria for awardee selection to include the potential of 

the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge; the innovative or transformative nature of research in the areas of interest described in the application; 

the creativity of the applicant; and the potential interest to industry of research in 

the areas of interest described in the application. The Director may give priority to 

proposals in which the proposed work includes collaboration with the National Laboratories. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 

2007; $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; $8,000,000 for 

fiscal year 2010; and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

SEC. 7. MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION 

Expands the range of awards under the NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program to be between $100,000 and $20,000,000 and allows funding to be used to 

support the operations and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment acquired 

under the program. Authorizes appropriations for the program of $94,200,000 for 

fiscal year 2007; $100,800,000 for fiscal year 2008; $107,800,000 for fiscal year 2009; 

$115,300,000 for fiscal year 2010; and $123,400,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

SEC. 8. DONATIONS 

Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to allow the Foundation to 

accept donations for specific prize competitions. 

SEC. 9. PROGRAM TO FOSTER CROSS-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH 

Establishes a program at NSF to award grants to individuals, groups, and centers 

for long-term, potentially path-breaking, basic research designed to simultaneously 

advance the physical and non-biomedical life sciences. Requires the award recipients 

to be selected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. Requires the review panels to 

include both physical scientists and non-biomedical life scientists, and, when appropriate, engineers, and to be open to approving high-risk research. Requires some of 

the grants awarded under the Early Career Program of Section 2 to be consistent 

with this section. Authorizes the NSF Director to carry out this program jointly with 

the Department of Energy Office of Science and other relevant federal agencies. 

SEC. 10. RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS 

Allows NSF to support research on the process of innovation and the teaching of 

inventiveness. 

SEC. 11. NASA’S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION 

States the sense of Congress that a balanced science program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contributes significantly to innovation 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
45 

and the economic competitiveness of the United States and that NASA shall, within 

the spending levels authorized in the NASA Authorization Act of 2005, fully participate in any interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness 

through scientific research and development. 

SEC. 12. NASA WORKFORCE TRAINING 

Allows NASA to establish a NASA Academy, which may use online learning techniques, to provide a training program for NASA employees to bridge the gap between the broad-based training provided by universities and the specific scientific 

and engineering training needed to carry out the NASA missions. Requires the Administrator of NASA to notify Congress within 180 days if the Academy will be established and, if so, to provide a plan for its establishment. 

SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS 

Defines ‘‘Institution of Higher Education’’ and ‘‘National Laboratory’’ for this Act. 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARING
46 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356a.eps
47 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356b.eps
48 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356c.eps
49 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356d.eps
50 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356e.eps
51 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356f.eps
52 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356g.eps
53 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356h.eps
54 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356i.eps
55 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356j.eps
56 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356k.eps
57 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356l.eps
58 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356m.eps
59 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356n.eps
60 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356o.eps
61 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356p.eps
62 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356q.eps
63 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356r.eps
64 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356s.eps
65 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356t.eps
66 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356u.eps
67 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356v.eps
68 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356w.eps
69 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356x.eps
70 


CCOLEMAN on PROD1PC71 with HEARINGh5356y.eps