NSF Technology Research Institutes Act
Bill: H.R.3846 | Sponsor: Rep. Ross, Deborah K. (D-NC)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
NSF Technology Research Institutes Act
This bill authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to awards grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education, or consortia thereof, for the planning, establishment, and support of Technology Research Institutes in key technology areas, as determined by the NSF.
Funds awarded may be used by an institute to, among other things
In making awards, the NSF shall ensure the focus areas of an institute do not substantially and unnecessarily duplicate the efforts of any other institute or any other similar effort at another federal agency.

To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to create a 
 program that plans for, establishes, and supports Technology Research 
                  Institutes, 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 ``NSF Technology Research Institutes 
Act''.

SEC. 2. TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTES.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
may awards grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher 
education, or consortia thereof, for the planning, establishment, and 
support of Technology Research Institutes in key technology areas, as 
determined by the Director.
    (b) Uses of Funds.--Funds awarded under this section may be used by 
a Technology Research Institute to--
            (1) conduct fundamental research to advance innovation in a 
        key technology area;
            (2) conduct research involving a key technology area to 
        solve challenges with social, economic, health, scientific, and 
        national security implications;
            (3) further the development, adoption, and 
        commercialization of innovations in key technology areas, 
        including through partnership with other Federal agencies and 
        Federal laboratories, industry, including startup companies, 
        labor organizations, civil society organizations, and State, 
        local, and Tribal governments;
            (4) develop and manage multi-user research testbeds and 
        instrumentation for key technologies;
            (5) develop and manage an accessible repository, as 
        appropriate, for research data and computational models 
        relevant to the relevant key technology area, consistent with 
        applicable privacy and intellectual property laws;
            (6) convene national workshops for researchers and other 
        stakeholders in the relevant key technology area;
            (7) establish traineeship programs for graduate students 
        who pursue research related to the key technology area leading 
        to a masters or doctorate degree by providing funding and other 
        assistance, and by providing graduate students opportunities 
        for research experiences in government or industry related to 
        the students' studies in such technology area;
            (8) engage in outreach and engagement to broaden 
        participation in technology research and education; and
            (9) support any other activities that the Director 
        determines appropriate.
    (c) Considerations.--In making awards under this section, the 
Director may consider the extent to which the activities proposed--
            (1) have the potential to create an innovation ecosystem, 
        or enhance existing ecosystems, to translate research from a 
        Technology Research Institute into applications and products, 
        as appropriate to the topic of each Institute;
            (2) supports transdisciplinary research and development 
        across multiple institutions of higher education and 
        organizations;
            (3) supports transdisciplinary education activities, 
        including curriculum development, research experiences, and 
        faculty professional development across undergraduate, 
        graduate, and professional academic programs;
            (4) involves partnerships with multiple types of 
        institutions, including emerging research institutions, HBCUs, 
        and minority serving institutions, and with other Federal 
        agencies, Federal laboratories, industry, State governments, 
        local governments, Tribal governments, labor organizations, 
        civil society organizations, and other entities that may use or 
        be affected by the technology; and
            (5) includes a component that addresses the ethical, 
        societal, safety, and security implications relevant to the 
        application of the technology.
    (d) Duration.--
            (1) Initial period.--An award under this section shall be 
        for an initial period of 5 years.
            (2) Renewal.--An established Technology Research Institute 
        may apply for, and the Director may grant, extended funding for 
        periods of 5 years on a merit-reviewed basis.
    (e) Application.--An institution of higher education or consortia 
thereof seeking financial assistance under this section shall submit to 
the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Director may require.
    (f) Competitive, Merit-Review.--In making awards under the section, 
the Director shall--
            (1) use a competitive, merit review process that includes 
        peer review by a diverse group of individuals with relevant 
        expertise from both the private and public sectors; and
            (2) ensure the focus areas of the Institute do not 
        substantially and unnecessarily duplicate the efforts of any 
        other Technology Research Institute or any other similar effort 
        at another Federal agency.
    (g) Collaboration.--In making awards under this section, the 
Director may collaborate with Federal departments and agencies whose 
missions contribute to, or are affected by, the key technology area of 
the Institute.
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