I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3466 
To demonstrate a commitment to our Nation’s scientists by increasing 
opportunities for the development of our next generation of researchers. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 
Mr. POCAN (for himself, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. WELCH, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, 
Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. 
HONDA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To demonstrate a commitment to our Nation’s scientists 
by increasing opportunities for the development of our 
next generation of researchers. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Next Generation Re-
searchers Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF RE-
SEARCHERS. 
Part A of title IV of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 281 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 404M. NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS. 
‘‘(a) NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS INITIA-
TIVE.—There shall be established within the Office of the 
Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Next 
Generation of Researchers Initiative (referred to in this 
section as the ‘Initiative’), through which the Director 
shall coordinate all policies and programs within the Na-
tional Institutes of Health aimed at promoting and pro-
viding opportunities for new researchers and earlier re-
search independence. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—The Director of NIH, through the 
Initiative shall— 
‘‘(1) promote policies and programs within the 
National Institutes of Health that are aimed at im-
proving opportunities for new researchers and pro-
moting earlier research independence, including ex-
isting policies and programs such as the Pathway to 
Independence Award, the NIH Director’s New Inno-
vator Award, the Early Independence Award, and 
Early-Stage Investigator grant review procedures; 
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‘‘(2) develop, modify, or accelerate policies, as 
needed, within the National Institutes of Health to 
promote opportunities for new researchers and ear-
lier research independence, including policies to en-
hance training opportunities for research-related ca-
reer options, strengthen mentorship programs be-
tween new and veteran researchers, enhance work-
force diversity efforts, and help to improve new re-
searchers’ success in obtaining renewal funding; 
‘‘(3) coordinate with appropriate agencies and 
academic institutions to develop systems to enhance 
workforce data for biomedical postdoctoral research-
ers and students to help improve tracking of trainees 
and career progress; and 
‘‘(4) carry out other activities, as appropriate, 
to promote the development of the next generation 
of researchers and earlier research independence. 
‘‘(c) STUDY AND REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) STUDY.—The Director of NIH shall re-
quest the National Academy of Sciences, as part of 
the studies conducted under section 489, to conduct 
a comprehensive study on policies affecting the next 
generation of researchers in the United States. Such 
study shall include an evaluation of, and strategies 
to address, the legislative, administrative, edu-
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