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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4801 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4801

To establish the Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, 
                 and Diplomacy, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 10, 2010

Mr. Berman (for himself, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Baird, and 
  Mr. Holt) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
 Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To establish the Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, 
                 and Diplomacy, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Global Science Program for Security, 
Competitiveness, and Diplomacy Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) International scientific collaboration promotes the 
        national security and economic competitiveness of the United 
        States. It is therefore a key foreign policy priority of 
        Congress to support such collaboration.
            (2) During the Cold War, scientific collaboration bolstered 
        relationships with United States allies and provided helpful 
        engagement with adversaries.
            (3) International scientific collaboration today helps the 
        United States find technical solutions to key global 
        challenges, promotes economic development at home and abroad, 
        improves bilateral relationships, leverages the capabilities of 
        foreign scientists and engineers, creates technology that 
        improves quality of life, promotes United States values, and 
        enhances the reputation of the United States in the world.
            (4) The United States faces competition from other 
        countries in the field of international scientific 
        collaboration. Forging international networks with the best 
        individuals and institutions abroad is essential to advancing 
        long-term United States economic interests.
            (5) Simultaneously, it is of the highest priority for 
        United States national security to ensure that scientists who 
        have been engaged in weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related 
        research and engineering are encouraged and supported, in 
        partnership with foreign governments, to engage in productive 
        civil initiatives. This collaboration and other international 
        scientific partnerships can be applied directly to solving 
        pressing problems of global security, including global 
        pandemics and climate change.
            (6) Ensuring long-term stability and prosperity in 
        countries vulnerable to terrorist influence requires promoting 
        effective economic development and building the capacity of 
        foreign partners to address conditions that give rise to 
        terrorism. International scientific collaboration provides a 
        means to advance these objectives.
            (7) In an era where international skepticism about United 
        States foreign policy abounds, civil society--including 
        scientists and engineers--plays a critical role in advancing 
        the foreign policy interests of the United States via 
        engagement with scientists abroad. Among foreign scientists and 
        engineers, the United States remains the most attractive 
        destination in the world for graduate education and career-long 
        collaboration.
            (8) There are a range of activities, such as collaborative 
        research and exchange programs, best suited to non-government 
        organizations, where independence from the United States 
        Government provides greater flexibility, agility, and, in some 
        cases, credibility, with foreign scientists.
            (9) United States scientists, engineers, and innovators are 
        an underutilized asset in efforts to advance United States 
        diplomatic objectives; facilitating contact between such 
        individuals and foreign populations of interest will advance 
        overall United States foreign policy objectives.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible country.--The term ``eligible country'' 
        means--
                    (A) a country classified by the World Bank as 
                either lower-middle-income or low-income economies;
                    (B) a country located in the Middle East;
                    (C) a country with a majority population of 
                Muslims; or
                    (D) any other country as determined by the 
                Secretary of State.
            (2) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science 
        agency'' means any Federal agency that is responsible for at 
        least two percent of the total Federal obligation for research 
        and development at institutions of higher education, according 
        to the most recent data available from the National Science 
        Foundation.
            (3) Organization.--The term ``organization'' means an 
        educational institution, corporation, partnership, firm, or 
        entity exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and described in section 
        501(c)(3) of such Code.

SEC. 4. GLOBAL SCIENCE PROGRAM FOR SECURITY, COMPETITIVENESS, AND 
              DIPLOMACY.

    (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of State shall establish a 
program to be known as the ``Global Science Program for Security, 
Competitiveness, and Diplomacy'' (referred to in this section and 
sections 5 and 6 as the ``Program'') in accordance with this section 
and sections 5 and 6.
    (b) Activities Supported.--The Program shall carry out, through the 
provision of grants, the following activities:
            (1) Collaborative research.--
                    (A) In general.--Establish global research 
                competitions that will undertake the following:
                            (i) Address the following global 
                        challenges: ocean acidification, 
                        nonproliferation, multiple drug resistant 
                        diseases, water-borne diseases, development of 
                        sustainable renewable energy resources, 
                        sanitation, food shortage, and water resources.
                            (ii) Engage former WMD scientists to assist 
                        in their transition to peaceful, civilian 
                        research.
                            (iii) Provide incentives for United States 
                        businesses to undertake programs employing such 
                        scientists for peaceful purposes.
                            (iv) Foster stronger partnerships and 
                        relations between United States and foreign 
                        universities in science and technology.
                    (B) Activities.--Such global research competitions 
                shall include--
                            (i) grants for not more than five years of 
                        collaborative research and development projects 
                        between United States scientists and engineers 
                        and scientists and engineers from eligible 
                        countries; and
                            (ii) grants to enhance existing United 
                        States-based research programs by adding an 
                        international partner from an eligible country.
            (2) Institutional capacity building.--
                    (A) Goals.--The goals of such grants shall be to--
                            (i) strengthen the research infrastructure 
                        and science and engineering curricula of 
                        institutes of higher learning in eligible 
                        countries;
                            (ii) engage foreign students early in their 
                        careers with United States scientists and 
                        engineers in order to bring such students into 
                        the global sphere of science and foster 
                        critical thinking; and
                            (iii) expand existing scholarship exchanges 
                        with students from eligible countries.
                    (B) Restrictions.--The following restrictions shall 
                apply to the Program:
                            (i) Funds may not be used for construction 
                        of facilities.
                            (ii) Not more than 10 percent of each grant 
                        may be used for purchase of equipment.
                            (iii) No eligible country may receive more 
                        than 10 percent of the funds authorized to be 
                        appropriated for the Program for any fiscal 
                        year.
                    (C) Activities.--Such grants may include--
                            (i) establishing research and education 
                        centers at institutes of higher learning in 
                        eligible countries to carry out the purposes of 
                        this Act; and
                            (ii) providing equipment and training.
            (3) Nonproliferation.--
                    (A) In general.--Conduct research and training 
                programs that--
                            (i) engage scientists and engineers who 
                        might otherwise be exploited to participate in 
                        illicit nuclear or WMD weapons programs;
                            (ii) help prevent nuclear and WMD 
                        proliferation; or
                            (iii) encourage foreign scientists and 
                        engineers, in collaboration with United States 
                        partners, to develop technologies and methods 
                        to combat WMD terrorism.
                    (B) Activities.--Such research and training 
                programs may include--
                            (i) collaborative research competitions 
                        that would provide research grants to foreign 
                        scientists and engineers with WMD experience or 
                        who could be targeted to participate in a WMD 
                        or nuclear weapons program, and United States 
                        scientists and engineers; and
                            (ii) research and training programs for 
                        personnel of eligible countries who will be 
                        implementing nuclear cooperation agreements 
                        with the United States or otherwise 
                        participating in nuclear programs.
            (4) Global virtual science library.--To make grants to 
        organizations that provide online access at little or no cost 
        for scientists and engineers in eligible countries to worldwide 
        science journals.
    (c) Certain Requirements.--Grants awarded pursuant to subsection 
(b) (except for grants awarded pursuant to paragraph (3) of such 
subsection) shall be competitive, peer-reviewed, and merit-based.
    (d) Additional Funding.--In applying for a grant, an organization 
shall demonstrate how it will seek, to the maximum extent possible, 
additional funding from partner organizations, foreign governments, 
private businesses, and other entities, ideally to the level of a full 
match.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Policy.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in consultation 
        with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
        Policy, shall promulgate guidelines for review of grant 
        applications to the Program.
            (2) Requirements.--The guidelines required under this 
        subsection shall address, at a minimum, the following:
                    (A) Criteria by which grants shall be selected, 
                including a description of diplomatic objectives of the 
                Program.
                    (B) Policies to ensure that grants are in 
                furtherance of United States diplomatic objectives.
                    (C) The countries and regions to participate in the 
                Program.
    (b) Implementation.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State shall coordinate 
        with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
        Policy and the Director of the National Science Foundation to 
        administer and implement the Program, in accordance with the 
        guidelines promulgated pursuant to subsection (a).
            (2) National science foundation.--The Director of the 
        National Science Foundation shall perform the following 
        activities for the Program:
                    (A) Subject to the guidelines promulgated pursuant 
                to subsection (a), develop and issue solicitations for 
                projects described in section 4(b), or coordinate with 
                other Federal science agencies to develop and issue 
                solicitations, as appropriate.
                    (B) Establish peer review panels comprised of 
                individuals with demonstrated experience in relevant 
                fields to--
                            (i) review proposals for grants; and
                            (ii) provide recommendations regarding 
                        evaluation of such proposals.
                    (C) Award grants based on the peer review 
                recommendations.
                    (D) Administer grants on behalf of the Program.
    (c) Acceptance of Funds From Outside Sources.--The Program may 
accept funds from outside sources, including foreign governments, 
nongovernmental organizations, and private business entities.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to 
make any grant recipient an agent or establishment of the United States 
Government.
    (e) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than November 30 of each year, 
        the President shall transmit to Congress a report relating to 
        the Program for the preceding fiscal year.
            (2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following information:
                    (A) A comprehensive and detailed report on all 
                operations, activities, and accomplishments under the 
                Program.
                    (B) All expenditures of funds from the Program.
                    (C) A report on metrics used to gauge success of 
                the Program.

SEC. 6. FUNDING.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
President such sums as may be necessary to carry out sections 4 and 5.
    (b) Additional Authorities.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the 
authorization for appropriations under subsection (a)--
            (1) may be referred to as the ``Global Science Program for 
        Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy''; and
            (2) may remain available until expended.
    (c) Transfer Authority.--The Secretary of State may transfer funds 
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this section to other Federal 
agencies, including the National Science Foundation, for the purposes 
of administering the Program. The Director of the National Science 
Foundation (NSF) may transfer funds transferred to the NSF, as 
appropriate, to other Federal science agencies for the purpose of 
implementing the Program.

SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Office of the Science and Technology Advisor of the 
        Department of State should be further integrated into the 
        overall activities of the Department of State, including 
        greater involvement in the activities of regional bureaus; and
            (2) science is a critical, underutilized resource for 
        United States diplomacy, and that the activities of bureaus 
        with oversight over science programs within the Department 
        should be integrated.

SEC. 8. EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) scientific fellows at the Department of State 
        critically augment the capacity of the Department and United 
        States embassies to address science and technology issues;
            (2) Federal agencies are reluctant to pay the costs of 
        scientists detailed to serve in United States embassies; and
            (3) expanding existing fellowship programs will meet the 
        Department's needs to enhance the role of science at United 
        States embassies.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
establish a program to be known as the ``Embassy Science Fellows 
Program'' to serve the following purposes:
            (1) Pay for the costs of scientists employed at Federal 
        agencies to serve in the Department of State for a period of 
        not longer than three years.
            (2) Enhance the role scientists play in strengthening 
        United States diplomatic efforts.
            (3) Ensure the placement of scientists at United States 
        embassies.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts made available 
to the Diplomatic and Consular Programs account of the Department of 
State, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State 
such sums as may be necessary to implement the Program authorized to be 
established in accordance with subsection (b).
    (d) Acceptance of Funds From Outside Sources.--The Embassy Science 
Fellows Program may accept funds from outside sources, including 
foundations, nongovernmental organizations, and private business 
entities.

SEC. 9. JEFFERSON SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) tenured academic scientists from United States 
        institutions of higher learning can provide critical expertise 
        and inform foreign policy matters at the Department of State;
            (2) United States academic institutions enjoy an enhanced 
        reputation in the international scientific community;
            (3) the presence of United States scientists at the 
        Department of State enhances the utility of science as tool for 
        diplomatic engagement; and
            (4) the Jefferson Science Fellows Program authorized to be 
        established pursuant to this section will provide a successful 
        model for augmenting the scientific expertise at the Department 
        of State.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
establish a program to be known as the ``Jefferson Science Fellows 
Program'' to serve the following purposes:
            (1) Provide an opportunity for tenured research-active 
        scientists and engineers from the United States academic 
        community to serve in the Department of State for one year.
            (2) Maintain an ongoing interactive relationship between 
        United States academic institutions and the Department of State 
        by utilizing former Jefferson Fellows as expert consultants for 
        short-term projects for at least five years following their 
        fellowship tenure.
            (3) Enhance the availability at the Department of State of 
        up-to-date scientific knowledge relevant to foreign policy and 
        international relations.
            (4) Enhance the use of science as a tool for diplomacy at 
        the Department of State.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts made available 
to the Diplomatic and Consular Programs account of the Department of 
State, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State 
such sums as may be necessary to implement the Jefferson Science 
Fellows Program authorized to be established in accordance with 
subsection (b).
    (d) Acceptance of Funds From Outside Sources.--The Jefferson 
Science Fellows Program may accept funds from outside sources, 
including foundations, nongovernmental organizations, and private 
business entities.

SEC. 10. SCIENTIFIC ENVOYS PROGRAM.

    (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of State shall establish a 
program to be known as the ``Scientific Envoys Program''. In carrying 
out the Program, the Secretary shall appoint scientists and engineers, 
including Nobel Prize Laureates and renowned researchers and 
professors, to serve as envoys on behalf of the United States to--
            (1) represent the commitment of the United States to 
        promote, in collaboration with other countries, the advancement 
        of science and technology; and
            (2) facilitate partnership with eligible countries.
    (b) Restrictions.--The following restrictions shall apply to the 
Program:
            (1) Of amounts authorized to be appropriated for the 
        Program, funds may be used to cover only the travel and per 
        diem costs of envoys appointed by the Secretary of State.
            (2) The total length of travel for any envoy may not exceed 
        14 days.
            (3) Not more than 12 envoys may be appointed annually.
            (4) An envoy may serve a term of not longer than 3 years.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts made available 
to the Exchange and Cultural Affairs account of the Department of 
State, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State 
such sums as may be necessary to implement the Program authorized to be 
established in accordance with subsection (a).

SEC. 11. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SCIENCE-RELATED CONFERENCES, 
              EXCHANGES, AND PROGRAMS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The United States is a preeminent location for science-
        related conferences, exchanges, and programs.
            (2) Such conferences contribute to State and local 
        economies and provide critical opportunities for United States 
        scientists to interact with foreign counterparts.
            (3) Recently, the visa process to gain admission to the 
        United States for such events has become sufficiently onerous 
        to deter foreign visitors whom the United States should 
        welcome.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that relevant 
Federal agencies should work to improve the overall visa process to 
ensure that the United States remains a central destination for such 
conferences, exchanges, and programs.
                                 <all>
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