sociated data will be accessioned into and perma-
nently maintained in an established biological collec-
tion. 
(3) ACTION CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL COLLEC-
TIONS.—The Director shall award grants on a com-
petitive basis to institutions of higher education or 
non-profit organizations (or consortia of such insti-
tutions or organizations) to establish an Action Cen-
ter for Biological Collections to facilitate coordina-
tion and data sharing among communities of prac-
tice for research, education, workforce training, eval-
uation, and business model development. 
SEC. 8. RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) FACILITY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall continue 
the Facility Operation Transition pilot program for 
a total of five years. 
(2) COST
SHARING.—The Facility Operation 
Transition program shall provide funding for 10–50 
percent of the operations and maintenance costs for 
major research facilities that are within the first five 
years of operation, where the share is determined 
based on— 
(A) the operations and maintenance costs 
of the major research facility; and 
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(B) the capacity of the managing direc-
torate or division to absorb such costs. 
(3) REPORT.—After the fifth year of the pilot 
program, the Director shall transmit a report to 
Congress that includes— 
(A) an assessment, that includes feedback 
from the research community, of the effective-
ness of the pilot program for— 
(i) supporting research directorates 
and divisions in balancing investments in 
research grants and funding for the initial 
operation and maintenance of major facili-
ties; 
(ii) incentivizing the development of 
new world-class facilities; 
(iii) facilitating interagency and inter-
national partnerships; 
(iv) funding core elements of multi- 
disciplinary facilities; and 
(v) 
supporting 
facility 
divestment 
costs; and 
(B) if deemed effective, a plan for perma-
nent implementation of the pilot program. 
(b) REVIEWS.—The Director shall periodically carry 
out reviews within each of the directorates and divisions 
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to assess the cost and benefits of extending the operations 
of research facilities that have exceeded their planned 
operational lifespan. 
(c) HELIUM CONSERVATION.— 
(1) MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION SUP-
PORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall sup-
port, through the Major Research Instrumenta-
tion program, proposal requests that include 
the purchase, installation, operation, and main-
tenance of equipment and instrumentation to 
reduce consumption of helium. 
(B) COST
SHARING.—The Director may 
waive the cost-sharing requirement for helium 
conservation measures for non-Ph.D.-granting 
institutions of higher education and Ph.D.- 
granting institutions of higher education that 
are not ranked among the top 100 institutions 
receiving Federal research and development 
funding, as documented by the National Center 
for Science and Engineering Statistics. 
(2) ANNUAL REPORT.—No later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act and annually 
for the subsequent two years, the Director shall sub-
mit an annual report to Congress on the use of 
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funding awarded by the Foundation for the purchase 
and conservation of helium. The report should in-
clude— 
(A) the volume and price of helium pur-
chased; 
(B) changes in pricing and availability of 
helium; and 
(C) any supply disruptions impacting a 
substantial number of institutions. 
(d) ADVANCED COMPUTING.— 
(1) COMPUTING
NEEDS.—To gather informa-
tion about the computational needs of grant pro-
posals submitted to the Foundation, the Director 
shall encourage and provide access to tools to facili-
tate the inclusion of relevant measures of computa-
tional performance needs in proposals for projects 
that require advanced computing, including the 
measures identified in the 2016 Academies report 
entitled ‘‘Future Directions for NSF Advanced Com-
puting Infrastructure to Support U.S. Science and 
Engineering in 2017–2020’’. 
(2) REPORTS.—The Director shall document 
and publish on a regular basis a summary of the 
amount and types of advanced computing capabili-
ties that are needed to respond to Foundation re-
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search opportunities as identified under paragraph 
(1). 
(3) ROADMAP.—To set priorities and guide 
strategic decisions regarding investments in ad-
vanced computing capabilities, the Director shall de-
velop, publish, and regularly update a 5-year ad-
vanced computing roadmap that— 
(A) draws on community input, informa-
tion contained in research proposals, allocation 
requests, and Foundation-wide information 
gathering regarding community needs; 
(B) reflects anticipated technology trends; 
(C) informs users and potential partners 
about future facilities and services; and 
(D) addresses the needs of groups histori-
cally underrepresented in STEM and geo-
graphic regions with low availability and high 
demand for advanced computing resources. 
SEC. 9. DIRECTORATE FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 
SOLUTIONS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriated funds, there is established within the Foun-
dation the Directorate for Science and Engineering Solu-
tions to advance research and development solutions to ad-
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dress societal and national challenges for the benefit of 
all Americans. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Directorate estab-
lished under subsection (a) is to accelerate the translation 
of Foundation-supported fundamental research and to ad-
vance technologies, support use-inspired research, facili-
tate commercialization and use of Federally funded re-
search, and expand the pipeline of United States students 
and researchers in areas of societal and national impor-
tance. 
(c) ACTIVITIES.—The Director shall achieve the pur-
poses described in subsection (a) by awarding financial as-
sistance through the Directorate to— 
(1) support transformational advances in use- 
inspired and translational research through diverse 
funding mechanisms and models, including conver-
gence accelerators; 
(2) translate research into science and engineer-
ing innovations, including through developing inno-
vative approaches to connect research with societal 
outcomes, education and training for students and 
researchers on engaging with end users and the pub-
lic, partnerships that facilitate research uptake, ap-
plication, and scaling, prototype development, entre-
preneurial 
education, 
developing 
tech-to-market 
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strategies, and partnerships that connect research 
products to businesses, accelerators, and incubators; 
(3) develop and expand sustainable and mutu-
ally-beneficial use-inspired and translational research 
and development partnerships and collaborations 
among institutions of higher education, including 
minority serving institutions and emerging research 
institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses and 
other for-profit entities, Federal or State agencies, 
community organizations, other Foundation direc-
torates, national labs, international entities as ap-
propriate, and other organizations; 
(4) 
build 
capacity 
for 
use-inspired 
and 
translational research at institutions of higher edu-
cation, including necessary administrative support; 
(5) expand opportunities for researchers to con-
tribute to use-inspired and translational research in-
cluding through support for workshops and con-
ferences, targeted incentives and training, and multi-
disciplinary research centers; 
(6) support the education, mentoring, and 
training of undergraduate students, graduate stu-
dents, and postdoctoral researchers in use-inspired 
and translational approaches to research in key 
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focus areas identified under subsection (g) through 
scholarships, fellowships, and traineeships; 
(7) support translational research infrastruc-
ture, including platforms and testbeds, data manage-
ment and software tools, and networks and commu-
nication platforms for interactive and collective 
learning and information sharing; and 
(8) identify social, behavioral, and economic 
drivers and consequences of technological innova-
tions. 
(d) ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall appoint 
an Assistant Director responsible for the manage-
ment of the Directorate established under this sec-
tion. 
(2) TERM LIMIT.—The Assistant Director ap-
pointed under paragraph (1) shall serve a term last-
ing no longer than 4 years. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Assistant Director 
shall be an individual, who by reason of professional 
background and experience, is specially qualified 
to— 
(A) advise the Director on all matters per-
taining to use-inspired and translational re-
search, development, and commercialization at 
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the Foundation, including partnership with the 
private sector and other users of Foundation 
funded research; and 
(B) develop and implement the necessary 
policies and procedures to promote a culture of 
use-inspired and translational research within 
the Directorate and across the Foundation and 
carry out the responsibilities under paragraph 
(4). 
(4) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The responsibilities of 
the Assistant Director shall include— 
(A) advising the Director on all matters 
pertaining to use-inspired and translational re-
search and development activities at the Foun-
dation, including effective practices for conver-
gence research; 
(B) identifying opportunities for and facili-
tating coordination and collaboration, where ap-
propriate, on use-inspired and translational re-
search, development, commercialization, and so-
cietal application activities— 
(i) among the offices, directorates, 
and divisions within the Foundation; and 
(ii) between the Foundation and 
stakeholders in academia, the private sec-
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tor, including non-profit entities, labor or-
ganizations, Federal or State agencies, and 
international entities, as appropriate; 
(C) ensuring that the activities carried out 
under this section are not duplicative of activi-
ties supported by other parts of the Foundation 
or other relevant Federal agencies; 
(D) approving all new programs within the 
Directorate; 
(E) developing and testing diverse merit- 
review models and mechanisms for selecting 
and providing awards for use-inspired and 
translational research and development at dif-
ferent scales, from individual investigator 
awards to large multi-institution collaborations; 
(F) assessing the success of programs; 
(G) administering awards to achieve the 
purposes described in subsection (b); and 
(H) performing other such duties per-
taining to the purposes in subsection (b) as are 
required by the Director. 
(5) RELATIONSHIP
TO
THE
DIRECTOR.—The 
Assistant Director shall report to the Director. 
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(6) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS.—No 
other directorate within the Foundation shall report 
to the Assistant Director. 
(e) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the Fed-
eral Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) the 
Director shall establish an advisory committee to as-
sess, and make recommendations regarding, the ac-
tivities carried out under this section. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The advisory committee 
members shall— 
(A) be individuals with relevant experience 
or expertise, including individuals from industry 
and national labs, educators, academic subject 
matter experts, technology transfer experts, and 
representatives of civil society and other non-
governmental organizations; and 
(B) consist of at least 10 members broadly 
representative of stakeholders, including no less 
than 3 members from the private sector, none 
of whom shall be an employee of the Federal 
Government. 
(3) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Committee shall 
be responsible for— 
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(A) reviewing and evaluating activities car-
ried out under this section; and 
(B) assessing the success of the Direc-
torate in and proposing new strategies for ful-
filling the purposes in subsection (b). 
(f) EXISTING PROGRAMS.—The Convergence Accel-
erator, the Growing Convergence Research Big Idea, and 
any other program, at the discretion of the Director, may 
be managed by the Directorate. 
(g) FOCUS AREAS.—In consultation with the Assist-
ant Director, the Board, and other Federal agencies and 
taking into account advice under subsection (e), the Direc-
tor shall identify, and regularly update, up to 5 focus 
areas to guide activities under this section. In selecting 
such focus areas, the Director shall consider the following 
societal challenges: 
(1) Climate change and environmental sustain-
ability. 
(2) Global competitiveness in critical tech-
nologies. 
(3) Cybersecurity. 
(4) National security. 
(5) STEM education and workforce. 
(6) Social and economic inequality. 
(h) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—Funds made available to 
carry out this section shall be available for transfer 
to other offices, directorates, or divisions within the 
Foundation for such use as is consistent with the 
purposes for which such funds are provided. 
(2) PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER FROM OTHER 
OFFICES.—No funds shall be available for transfer 
to the Directorate established under this section 
from other offices, directorates, or divisions within 
the Foundation. 
(i) AUTHORITIES.—In addition to existing authorities 
available to the Foundation, the Director may exercise the 
following authorities in carrying out the activities under 
this section: 
(1) AWARDS.—In carrying out this section, the 
Director may provide awards in the form of grants, 
contracts, cooperative agreements, cash prizes, and 
other transactions. 
(2) APPOINTMENTS.—The Director shall have 
the authority to— 
(A) make appointments of scientific, engi-
neering, and professional personnel without re-
gard to the civil service laws as the Director de-
termines necessary for carrying out research 
and development functions which require the 
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services of specially qualified personnel relating 
to the focus areas identified under subsection 
(g) and such other areas of national research 
priorities as the Director may determine; and 
(B) fix the basic pay of such personnel at 
rates not in excess of the basic rate of pay of 
the Vice President under section 104 of title 3, 
United States Code, without regard to the civil 
service laws. 
(j) ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIETAL CONSIDER-
ATIONS.—The Director shall establish policies and set up 
formal avenues for public input, as appropriate, to ensure 
that ethical, legal, and societal considerations are explicitly 
integrated into the priorities for the Directorate, including 
the selection of focus areas under subsection (g), the 
award-making process, and throughout all stages of sup-
ported projects. 
(k) REPORTS AND ROADMAPS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Director shall pro-
vide to the relevant authorizing and appropriations 
committees of Congress an annual report describing 
projects supported by the Directorate during the 
previous year. 
(2) ROADMAP.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall pro-
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vide to the relevant authorizing and appropriations 
committees of Congress a roadmap describing the 
strategic vision that the Directorate will use to guide 
investment decisions over the following 3 years. 
(l) EVALUATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—After the Directorate has 
been in operation for 6 years, the National Science 
Board shall evaluate how well the Directorate is 
achieving the purposes identified in subsection (b), 
including an assessment of the impact of Directorate 
activities on the Foundation’s primary science mis-
sion. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The evaluation shall in-
clude— 
(A) a recommendation on whether the Di-
rectorate should be continued or terminated; 
and 
(B) a description of lessons learned from 
operation of the Directorate. 
(3) AVAILABILITY.—On completion of the eval-
uation, the evaluation shall be made available to 
Congress and the public. 
(m) LIMITATION.—No amounts may be appropriated 
for the Directorate for each of fiscal years 2022, 2023, 
2024, 2025, or 2026 unless— 
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(1) a specific appropriation is made for the Di-
rectorate; and 
(2) the amount appropriated for the activities 
of the Foundation, other than the activities author-
ized under this section, for each such fiscal year ex-
ceeds the amount appropriated for the Foundation 
for fiscal year 2021, as adjusted for inflation in ac-
cordance with the Consumer Price Index published 
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Depart-
ment of Labor. 
SEC. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS. 
(a) SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS.— 
Section 3(c) of the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers 
Act is amended by striking ‘‘annual’’ and inserting ‘‘bien-
nial’’. 
(b) SUNSHINE ACT COMPLIANCE.—Section 15 of the 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 
is amended— 
(1) so that paragraph (3) reads as follows: 
‘‘(3) COMPLIANCE
REVIEW.—The Inspector 
General of the Foundation shall conduct a review of 
the compliance by the Board with the requirements 
described in paragraph (2) as necessary based on a 
triennial risk assessment. Any review deemed nec-
essary shall examine the proposed and actual con-
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tent of closed meetings and determine whether the 
closure of the meetings was consistent with section 
552b of title 5, United States Code.’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(4) MATERIALS RELATING TO CLOSED POR-
TIONS OF MEETING.—To facilitate the risk assess-
ment required under paragraph (3) of this sub-
section, and any subsequent review conducted by the 
Inspector General, the Office of the National Science 
Board shall maintain the General Counsel’s certifi-
cate, the presiding officer’s statement, and a tran-
script or recording of any closed meeting, for at 
least 3 years after such meeting.’’. 
(c) SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INDICATORS RE-
PORT
SUBMISSION.—Section 4(j)(1) of the National 
Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(j)(1)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘January 15’’ and inserting 
‘‘March 15’’. 
Æ 
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