I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5451 
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 11, 2014 
Mr. POCAN (for himself, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, and Mr. WELCH) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee 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-
search Act’’. 
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: 
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‘‘SEC. 404M. NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCH. 
‘‘(a) NEXT GENERATION
OF RESEARCH INITIA-
TIVE.—There shall be established within the Office of the 
Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Next 
Generation of Research Initiative (referred to in this sec-
tion as the ‘Initiative’), through which the Director shall 
coordinate all policies and programs within the National 
Institutes of Health aimed at promoting and providing op-
portunities for new researchers. 
‘‘(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, including 
existing policies and programs such as the Pathway 
to Independence Award, the NIH Director’s New In-
novator Award, the Early Independence Award, and 
Early-Stage Investigator grant review procedures; 
‘‘(2) develop or modify policies, as needed, with-
in the National Institutes of Health to promote op-
portunities for new researchers, including policies to 
strengthen mentorship programs between new and 
veteran researchers, enhance workforce diversity ef-
forts, and help to improve new researchers’ success 
in obtaining renewal funding; and 
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‘‘(3) carry out other activities, as appropriate, 
to promote the development of the next generation 
of researchers. 
‘‘(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 the legislative, 
administrative, educational, and cultural barriers to 
providing for a successful next generation of re-
searchers. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy 
of Sciences shall submit to the Director, the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Sen-
ate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, a report concerning the results of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1). Such report shall 
include— 
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