America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010

Bill: 111-hr-5116
Sponsor: Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6]
Introduced: 2010-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Air quality
Atmospheric science and weather
Building construction
Business investment and capital
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computers and information technology
Department of Commerce
Department of Energy
Disability and paralysis
Ecology
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency communications systems
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
General science and technology matters
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Manufacturing
Marine pollution
National Science Foundation
Nuclear power
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Small business
Solid waste and recycling
Space flight and exploration
Student aid and college costs
Technology transfer and commercialization
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2010-04-22
text: 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Establishes, revises, and extends specified science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) programs, as well as engineering, research, and training programs. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for: (1) the National Science Foundation (NSF); (2) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); and (3) the Department of Energy (DOE) for activities of the Office of Science.

action_date: 2010-05-07
text: 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 - 
Title I: Science and Technology Policy 
- 
Subtitle A: National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments 
- National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2010 - (Sec. 102) Revises the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act with regard to strategic plans developed pursuant to the National Nanotechnology Program (the Program). 
 
Modifies annual reporting requirements concerning the Program. Requires agencies participating in the Program to support the activities of committees involved in the setting of standards for nanotechnology. Allows such agencies to reimburse the travel costs of scientists and engineers participating in the activities of such committees. 
 
Revises requirements concerning the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Requires the Office to be supported by funds from each agency participating in the Program. Sets forth annual reporting requirements regarding the Office. 
 
Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to: (1) develop a database providing information to the public concerning projects funded under the Environmental, Health, and Safety, the Education and Societal Dimensions, and the Nanomanufacturing program component areas; and (2) develop and publicize information on nanotechnology facilities supported under the Program which may include information on nanotechnology facilities supported by the states and that are accessible for use by individuals from academic institutions and industry. 
 
Makes the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel a distinct entity. Instructs the Panel to form a subpanel to enable it to assess whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program. Requires at least one member of the Advisory Panel to be an individual employed by and representing a minority-serving institution. 
 
Rewrites provisions for triennial external review of the Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2012 for such reviews from the amounts provided by participating agencies supporting the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. 
 
Modifies the definition of "nanotechnology." Defines "nanoscale" as one or more dimensions of between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers. 
 
 (Sec. 103) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to designate an associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy as the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology. Makes the Coordinator responsible for oversight of the coordination, planning, and budget prioritization of activities required by the Program to ensure that appropriate societal concerns are considered during the nanotechnology development. 
 
Includes among the Coordinator's responsibilities: (1) ensuring that the plan for the environmental, health, and safety research activities is developed, updated, and implemented and responsive to recommendations of the subpanel of the Advisory Panel; (2) encouraging and monitoring efforts of participating agencies to allocate resources and management necessary to ensure that societal concerns related to nanotechnology are addressed; and (3) encouraging agencies developing the research plan to implement mechanisms establishing public-private partnerships supporting environmental, health, and safety research. 
 
Requires the Coordinator to convene a panel to develop a research plan for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area. Instructs such panel to solicit and be responsive to recommendations from the subpanel of the Advisory Panel and the agencies responsible for environmental, health, and safety regulations associated with nanoscale materials and products. Requires the plan to include a description of how the Program will help to ensure the development of standards related to engineered nanoscale materials. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), as part of the mathematics and science education partnerships program carried out pursuant to the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002, to provide grants to establish Nanotechnology Education Partnerships and requires each such partnership to include businesses engaged in nanoscale production. 
 
Requires such partnerships to be designed to recruit and to help prepare secondary school students to pursue postsecondary level nanotechnology courses. 
 
Requires such grants to support: (1) activities to inform teachers and students about career possibilities in nanotechnology; and (2) identification of nanotechnology educational materials and incorporation of nanotechnology into the curriculum at one or more organizations participating in a Partnership. 
 
Requires the Program, as part of the activities included under the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area to support efforts to introduce nanoscale science, engineering, and technology into undergraduate science and engineering education. Includes as supported activities: (1) the development of courses or modules to existing courses; (2) faculty professional development; and (3) the acquisition of equipment and instrumentation suitable for undergraduate education and research. Authorizes appropriations to the NSF Director for FY2010 to carry out such activities through: (1) the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program; and (2) the Advanced Technology Education program. 
 
Requires the National Science and Technology Council to establish, under the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee, an Education Working Group to plan educational activities supported under the Program. 
 
Requires activities supported under the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area to include education regarding the societal aspects of nanotechnology. Directs agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to allow Internet access and support the associated costs. Permits waivers of such requirement when particular facilities would be inappropriate for educational purposes or the costs of providing such access would be prohibitive. 
 
 (Sec. 104) Requires agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to provide access to such facilities to assist companies to develop prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes. 
 
Sets forth provisions concerning nanotechnology related projects under existing nanotechnology transfer programs. 
 
Establishes industry liaison groups for all industry sectors that would benefit from nanotechnology applications. Requires the Nanomanufacturing, Industry Liaison, and Innovation Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council to actively pursue such liaison groups. 
 
Requires coordination and leveraging of federal investments with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives supported by the states. 
 
 (Sec. 105) Requires the Program to include support for nanotechnology research and development activities directed toward areas that have the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and other significant societal benefits. Requires supported activities to be designed to advance the development of research discoveries in such areas as nano-electronics, energy efficiency, health care, and water remediation and purification. Requires the Advisory Panel to recommend to the Program candidate research and development areas. 
 
Requires such research and development activities to include: (1) projects selected for support through a competitive, merit-based process; and (2) a plan for fostering the transfer to industry of research discoveries and the results of technology demonstration activities. 
 
Requires collaboration of no fewer than two participating agencies to determine the procedures for review, selection, and subsequent project funding. Requires such agencies to give special consideration to projects with cost-sharing from non-federal sources. 
 
Permits such research and development activities to be supported through interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers. 
 
Requires the Program annual report to include a description of the research and development areas supported. 
 
 (Sec. 106) Requires the Nanomanufacturing program component area to include research on: (1) the development of instrumentation and tools required for the rapid characterization of nanoscale materials and for monitoring nanoscale manufacturing processes; and (2) techniques for scaling the synthesis of new nanoscale materials to achieve industrial-level production rates. 
 
Directs interdisciplinary research centers to include activities relating to green nanomanufacturing research. Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to sponsor a public meeting to: (1) obtain views on the relevance and value of the nanomanufacturing research being carried out under the Program and whether nanotechnology research facilities supported under the Program are adequate; and (2) receive recommendations on ways to strengthen research supported under the Nanomanufacturing program component area and on improving the capabilities of such facilities. 
 
Requires inviting companies participating in industry liaison groups to participate in such meeting. 
 
Directs the Advisory Panel to review the Program and the capabilities of nanotechnology research facilities, taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the public meeting. 
 

Subtitle B: Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
- Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2010 - (Sec. 112) Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to rename the National High-Performance Computing Program as the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program (the Program). 
 
 Directs participating federal agencies to: (1) periodically assess the contents and funding levels of program component areas and restructure the Program when warranted; and (2) ensure that the Program includes large-scale, long-term, interdisciplinary research and development (R&D) activities, including such activities in networking and information technology in areas having the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other societal benefits. 
 
Requires the federal agencies to develop, and update every three years, a five-year strategic plan to guide activities provided for under the Program. Requires the plan to describe how the Program will accomplish specified objectives, including by: (1) fostering the transfer of R&D results into new technologies and applications for the benefit of society, including through cooperation and collaborations with networking and information technology research, development, and technology transition initiatives supported by the states; (2) encouraging and supporting mechanisms for interdisciplinary R&D in networking and information technology, including through collaborations; and (3) attracting more women and underrepresented minorities to pursue postsecondary degrees in networking and information technology. 
 
Requires the strategic plan to be accompanied by milestones and road maps for establishing the national research infrastructure required to support the Program. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Coordination Office to transmit the strategic plan to the advisory committee and to Congress. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to encourage and monitor the efforts of participating agencies to allocate the resources and management attention necessary to ensure that the strategic plan is executed effectively and that Program objectives are met. 
 
Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to require the co-chairs of the advisory committee to be members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. 
 
Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to require annual reports on the implementation of the Program to: (1) describe the levels of federal funding for the previous fiscal year; (2) describe the levels of federal funding for the previous fiscal year for agencies and departments participating in the Program; and (3) include reporting on the research areas supported under section 113 of this subtitle. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to include in such reports: (1) a description of how the objectives for program component areas, and for activities that involve multiple program component areas relate to the Program's objectives identified in the strategic plan; (2) a description of the funding required by the National Coordination Office to perform its functions for the next and current fiscal years; and (3) the amount of funding provided for such Office for the current fiscal year. 
 
 (Sec. 113) Directs the Program to encourage the federal agencies to support large-scale, long-term, interdisciplinary R&D activities in networking and information technology directed toward areas having the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other societal benefits. Requires such activities to be designed to advance the development of research discoveries. Instructs the advisory committee to make recommendations for candidate R&D areas for support. 
 
Requires that such R&D activities shall: (1) include projects based on applications for support that are selected through a competitive, merit-based process; (2) involve collaborations among researchers in institutions of higher education (IHEs) and industry, permitting the involvement of nonprofit research institutions and federal laboratories, as appropriate; (3) leverage federal investments through collaboration with related state initiatives, when possible; and (4) include a plan for fostering the transfer of research discoveries and the results of technology demonstration activities, including from IHEs and federal laboratories, to industry for commercial development. 
 
Requires the federal agencies to give special consideration to projects that include cost sharing from non-federal sources. 
 
Instructs, when two or more of the federal agencies or other appropriate agencies are working on large-scale R&D activities in the same area, such agencies to strive to collaborate through joint solicitation and selection of applications for support and subsequent funding of projects. 
 
Allows R&D activities under this section to be supported through interdisciplinary research centers organized to investigate basic research questions and carry out technology demonstration activities. Permits research to be carried out through existing centers, including the multidisciplinary Centers for Communications Research authorized under the America COMPETES Act. 
 
 (Sec. 114) Requires the Program, in addition to its current requirements, to provide for: (1) increased understanding of the scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and improve the methods available for the design, development, and operation of such systems; and (2) research and development on human-computer interactions, visualization, and information management. Defines "cyber-physical systems" as physical or engineered systems whose networking and information technology functions and physical elements are deeply integrated and are actively connected to the physical world through sensors, actuators, or other means to perform monitoring and control functions. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Coordination Office (established by section 115 of this subtitle) to convene a task force to explore mechanisms for carrying out collaborative R&D activities on cyber-physical systems through a consortium or other appropriate entity with participants from institutions of higher education, federal laboratories, and industry. 
 
Requires the task force to: (1) propose a process for the development of a R&D agenda for such entity, including objectives and milestones; and (2) propose guidelines for assigning intellectual property rights and for the transfer of research results to the private sector; and (3) recommend how such entity could be funded from federal, state, and non-governmental sources. Requires such Director to transmit to to Congress a report that describes the task force's findings and recommendations. 
 
 (Sec. 115) Repeals provisions for the National Research and Education Network. 
 
Establishes a National Coordination Office. Directs the National Coordination Office to: (1) serve as the primary point of contact on federal networking and information technology activities; (2) solicit input and recommendations from stakeholders during the development of each strategic plan through the convening of at least one workshop; (3) conduct public outreach; and (4) promote access to and early application of the technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program activities. 
 
Requires the operation of the National Coordination Office to be supported by funds from agencies participating in the Program. 
 
 (Sec. 116) Directs NSF, as part of the Program, to use its existing programs, in collaboration with other agencies, as appropriate, for improving the teaching and learning of networking and information technology at all education levels and to increase participation in networking and information technology fields, including by women and underrepresented minorities. 
 
 (Sec. 117) Makes technical and conforming amendments, including with respect to the activities of the NSF, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Commerce, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Education under the Program. 
 

Subtitle C: Other OSTP Provisions 
- (Sec. 121) Instructs OSTP to ensure the development of policies for the management and use of federal scientific collections to improve their quality, organization, access, and long-term preservation for the benefit of scientific enterprise. 
 
Requires OSTP to: (1) ensure the development of an online clearinghouse for information on the contents of, and access to, federal scientific collections. 
 
Sets forth requirements for the disposal of federal scientific collections, including procedures for the transfer of collections no longer needed to researchers at institutions or other entities qualified to manage such collections. 
 
Requires OSTP to develop a common set of methodologies to be used by federal agencies to project costs associated with the management and preservation of their scientific collections. 
 
(Sec. 122) Requires the establishment or designation of an interagency committee under the National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility for planning and coordinating federal programs and activities in manufacturing research and development to: (1) establish goals and priorities for manufacturing research and development that will strengthen U.S. manufacturing; and (2) develop a strategic plan with updates every five years which shall include a description of how federal agencies will foster the transfer of such results into new manufacturing technologies, processes, and products. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to transmit the strategic plan and the subsequent updates to Congress. 
 
(Sec. 123) Establishes a working group under the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate federal science agency research and policies related to the dissemination and long-term stewardship of the results of unclassified research, including digital data and peer-reviewed scholarly publications supported by funding from federal science agencies having an annual extramural research expenditure of over $100 million.
 

 
 
 
(Sec. 124) Requires the Director of OSTP to develop a policy for federal science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate specified federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in the evaluation of federal research grants and in the related academic advancement of the recipients of these grants.
 
Authorizes federal science agencies to carry out such program by making grants to eligible organizations as described in this section. 
 
Requires OSTP to support at least one workshop every two years among the federal science agencies in the major science and engineering disciplines.
 
Requires the Director to transmit a report to Congress evaluating such program's effectiveness in reducing gender bias towards [
sic
] women engaged in federally funded research. 
 
Requires the Director to develop a policy to extend research grant support and provide interim technical support for federally funded researchers who are caregivers. Requires transmission of a copy of such policy to Congress. 
 
Requires federal science agencies to collect specified standardized annual data for all applications for research and development grants to IHEs and to submit the data collected to the NSF. Makes NSF responsible for storing and publishing all such grant data. 
 
Requires annual publication of a list of the IHE science and engineering departments whose representatives attended the workshops described above. 
 

Title II: National Science Foundation 
- National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 - 
Subtitle A: General Provisions 
- (Sec. 212) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to NSF for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) agency operations and award management; (5) the Office of the National Science Board; and (6) the Office of Inspector General. 
 
(Sec. 213) Eliminates the ceiling on the number of limited term personnel the National Science Board may permit to be appointed and assigned by its Chairman. 
 
Changes the deadline for the Board to submit to the President and Congress its annual report on indicators of the state of science and engineering in the United States. 
 
Limits National Science Board reports to the President and Congress related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering to matters within NSF authority (or otherwise as requested by the Congress or the President). 
 
Repeals the requirement that the Inspector General of NSF conduct an audit every three years on the Board's compliance with open meetings subject to the Government in the Sunshine Act. 
 
Changes the deadline for the NSF Inspector General to transmit to Congress any recommendations for corrective actions that need to be taken to achieve fuller compliance with such open meetings and recommendations on how to ensure public access to the deliberations of the Board. 
 
(Sec. 214) Directs NSF to implement a policy for a specified broader impacts review criterion, including goals to achieve increased U.S. economic competitiveness, development of a globally competitive STEM workforce, and increased national security. Requires the Director of NSF (the Director) to implement a policy for the criterion that takes certain actions with respect to NSF professional staff, merit review panels, grant applicants and recipients and principal investigators involving NSF research grants. 
 
(Sec. 215) Establishes within NSF a National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics to serve as a central federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of data on science, engineering, technology, and research and development. 
 
Requires the Director, acting through the Center, to: (1) collect, analyze, report, and disseminate statistical data related to science and engineering enterprise in the United States and other nations; (2) support research using the data it collects, and on methodologies in areas related to the work of the Center; and (3) support the education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale, nationally representative data sets. 
 
Requires the Director or the National Science Board to issue special statistical reports on topics related to the national and international science and engineering enterprise. 
 
(Sec. 216) Requires the Director to report statistical summary data on the demographics of STEM faculty at IHEs in the United States. Specifies, at a minimum, the kinds of statistical data the Director is to consider. Requires a report to Congress on how NSF will gather such data on such faculty. 
 

Subtitle B: Research and Innovation 
- (Sec. 221) Requires NSF to use at least 5% of its research budget to fund basic, high-risk, high-reward (transformative) research proposals. Prohibits support for facilities and infrastructure, including preconstruction design and operations and maintenance of major research facilities, from being counted as part of the research budget for the purposes of supporting such potentially transformative research. 
 
Authorizes NSF to: (1) develop solicitations for high-risk, high-reward basic research; (2) establish review panels for the selection of such proposals or modify instructions to standard review panels to require identification of such proposals; and (3) support workshops and participate in conferences to identify new opportunities for such research, especially at interdisciplinary interfaces. 
 
Defines &quot;high-risk, high-reward basic research.&quot; 
 
(Sec. 222) Requires NSF to make awards of not exceeding $5 million over a period of up to five years to interdisciplinary research collaborations likely to assist in addressing critical challenges to national security, competitiveness, and societal well-being and that: (1) involve at least two co-equal principal investigators; (2) draw upon well-integrated, diverse teams of investigators, including students or postdoctoral researchers, from one or more disciplines; and (3) foster creativity and pursue high-risk, high-reward research. 
 
Gives priority to applicants that propose to utilize advances in cyberinfrastructure and simulation-based science and engineering. 
 
(Sec. 223) Requires NSF to carry out a program of awarding grants to IHEs to support research leading to advances in manufacturing, including nanomanufacturing. 
 
Requires the Director to award grants to strengthen and expand scientific and technical education and training in advanced manufacturing, including NSF's advanced technological education program. 
 
(Sec. 224) Requires the Director, for NSF research grants of over $2 million to be carried out through specified partnerships, to award funds directly to at least 2 of the IHEs (as defined below) in such a partnership to ensure a strong and equitable partnership. 
 
Defines such IHEs as the institutions that are among the 100 institutions receiving, over the 3-year period immediately preceding the awarding of the grants, the highest amount of research funding from NSF. 
 
(Sec. 225) Directs the National Science Board to evaluate and report to Congress on mid-scale research instrumentation needs at NSF. 
 
(Sec. 226) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should strive to keep the percentage of NSF's budget devoted to research infrastructure in the range of 24% to 27%, as recommended in the 2003 National Science Board report entitled &quot;Science and Engineering Infrastructure for the 21st century.&quot; 
 
(Sec. 227) Requires the Director to carry out a program to award grants to IHEs for the establishment and expansion of partnerships that promote innovation and increase the economic and social impact of research by developing the tools and resources to connect new scientific discoveries to practical uses.
 
Requires IHEs, to be eligible for funding, to propose the establishment of a partnership that includes at least one private sector entity and that may include other IHEs, public sector institutions, private sector entities, and social enterprise nonprofits.
 
Gives, in the selection of grant recipients, priority to partnerships which include 1 or more IHEs that are among the 100 institutions receiving, over the 3-year period immediately preceding the awarding of the grants, the highest amount of research funding from NSF and at least 1 minority serving institution, one primarily undergraduate institution, or 1 2-year IHE. 
 
Specifies the program goals that proposals funded under this section shall seek to achieve. 
 
Prohibits the use of funds under this section for the construction or renovation of buildings and structures. 
 
(Sec. 228) Generating Extraordinary New Innovations in the United States Act of 2010 - Requires the Director to carry out a pilot program to award innovation inducement cash prizes in any area of research supported by NSF. Authorizes the Director to carry out such program only in conformity with this section. 
 
Provides guidelines for identifying topics for prize competitions to be held under such program. 
 
Sets forth provisions with regard to the types of contests, advertising and announcements, funding, and eligibility for prizes competitions under this section. 
 
Authorizes the Director to: (1) announce up to 5 prize competitions through FY2013; (2) set the amount of each prize award based on the prize topic, but prohibits the amount of any award from being less than $1 million or greater than $3 million; and (3) convene an expert panel to select the winners of prize competitions. 
 
Allows the Director to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer a prize competition. 
 

 

 
 
 
Requires the National Science Board to transmit to Congress a report containing the results of a review and assessment of the pilot program. 
 
Requires early termination of a prize contest before any registered participant wins if an unregistered entity has produced an innovation that would otherwise have qualified for the prize award. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to the Director to carry out the pilot program with a limit of not more than 15% per fiscal year to be made available for administrative costs. Permits the carryover of funds appropriated for prize awards for other purposes authorized by law. Bars any provision in this section from permitting the obligation or payment of funds in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act. 
 

Subtitle C: STEM Education and Workforce Training 
- (Sec. 241) Requires the Director to increase or, if necessary, decrease funding for NSF's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (or any program by which it is replaced) by at least the same rate as funding for the Graduate Research Fellowship program is increased or decreased. 
 
Requires, for FY2011-FY2015, that at least half of the total NSF funds allocated to such programs be provided from funds appropriated for research and related activities. 
 
 Requires the Director to set the amount to be awarded in each year for certain NSF scholarships and graduate fellowships in the sciences and engineering and requires each scholarship or fellowship to include an education allowance of $12,000. 
 
(Sec. 242) Requires the Director of NSF to establish postdoctoral fellowships in STEM education research to provide eligible recent doctoral degree graduates in STEM fields with the necessary skills to assume leadership roles in STEM education research, program development, and evaluation. 
 
Requires the Director to determine the amount of the award for a fellowship. 
 
Instructs that fellowships be awarded for research at any IHEs that offer degrees in fields supported by NSF, or at any institutions or organizations that are eligible for education research grants from NSF. 
 
Authorizes the Director to award up to 20 fellowships per year, including for STEM education research at any educational level. 
 
(Sec. 243) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to decrease from 50% to 30% the amount eligible entities receiving grants for NSF Teaching Fellowships or Master Teaching Fellowships under the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program must provide from non-federal sources. Requires such non-federal match to be provided in cash (under current law, may be provided in cash or in-kind). 
 
(Sec. 244) Declares that IHEs serving large numbers of students with disabilities, including Gallaudet University, Landmark College, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, shall have a designation consistent with other institutions that serve populations underrepresented in STEM to ensure that IHEs serving disabled persons can benefit from STEM bridge programs and from research partnerships with major research universities. 
 
(Sec. 245) Requires the Director to award grants for the institutional integration of NSF-funded projects which focus on education or broadening participation in STEM by underrepresented groups. 
 
Gives priority to proposals for which a senior institutional administrator serves as the principal investigator. 
 
(Sec. 246) Requires the Director to establish a NSF-wide postdoctoral research fellowship program for the award of postdoctoral research fellowships in any field of research supported by NSF. 
 
Gives priority to applications which include proposals for interdisciplinary or high-risk, high-reward research. 
 
(Sec. 247) Requires the Director to provide education and training to: (1) NSF staff and grant proposal review panels on mechanisms and tools to broaden participation in STEM by underrepresented groups; and (2) NSF staff on related outreach approaches. 
 
(Sec. 248) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to make changes to the program requiring the Director to award grants to IHEs (or their consortia) to reform undergraduate STEM education for the purpose of increasing the number and quality of students studying toward completing baccalaureate degrees in STEM and improving STEM learning outcomes for all undergraduate students, including through: (1) implementation of innovative, research-based reforms in undergraduate STEM education; and (2) expansion of successful STEM reforms beyond a single course or courses to an entire academic unit, or expansion beyond a single academic unit to other STEM academic units within an institution or to comparable academic units at other institutions. 
 
Expands grant uses to allow their use in: (1) creating multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary STEM courses or programs; (2) expanding undergraduate STEM research opportunities to include interdisciplinary research and research in industry, at federal labs, and at IHEs or research sites; (3) implementing or expanding bridge, cohort, tutoring, or mentoring programs that enhance student recruitment or persistence; (4) implementing STEM faculty and graduate teaching assistant development programs; (5) supporting the participation of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in instructional or assessment activities at primarily undergraduate IHEs; (6) researching STEM teaching and learning at the undergraduate level related to the proposed reform effort; and (7) support for initiatives that advance the integration of global challenges such as sustainability into disciplinary and interdisciplinary STEM education. 
 
Permits IHEs to partner with one or more other nonprofit education or research organizations, including scientific and engineering societies, to carry out the activities authorized under this section. 
 
Gives priority, among proposals that expand existing reform efforts beyond a single academic unit, to proposals for which a senior institutional administrator serves as the principal investigator. 
 
(Sec. 249) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs for the implementation or expansion of research-based reforms in master's and doctoral level STEM education that emphasizes preparation for diverse careers utilizing STEM degrees, including at IHEs, in industry, and at government agencies and research laboratories. Describes the activities that may be supported by grants awarded under this section. 
 
Permits an IHE to partner with one or more other nonprofit education or research organizations, including scientific and engineering societies, to carry out the activities authorized under this section. 
 
Repeals provisions under the America COMPETES Act relating to professional science master's degree programs.
 
(Sec. 250) Continues support of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program, and the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program as separate programs at least through September 30, 2011. 
 
Requires the Director, before any realignment or consolidation of such programs, in addition to the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Undergraduate Program, to develop a plan clarifying the objectives and rationale for such changes, including a description of how they would: (1) meet or strengthen the goal of separate programs to increase the number of individuals from underrepresented groups who attain undergraduate STEM degrees; and (2) address the unique needs of minority serving institutions and underrepresented groups currently provided for by the separate programs. 
 
Instructs the Director, in developing the plan, to: (1) consider recommendations and findings of the NAS report on barriers to increasing diversity in STEM fields as required under the America COMPETES Act; and (2) solicit recommendations and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. 
 
Requires transmission of such plan to Congress at least three months prior to the implementation of any realigment or consolidation of such programs. 
 
(Sec. 251) Requires the Director and the Secretary of Education to collaborate, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to: (1) identify, prioritize, and develop strategies for addressing grand challenges in research and development on the teaching and learning of STEM at the pre-K-12 level for diverse learning populations; and (2) carry out research and development to address identified challenges and ensure dissemination of the results. 
 
Specifies the topics the Director and such Secretary are to consider in identifying such grand challenges, including research that utilizes a systems approach which includes development of model systems that support improved teaching and learning of STEM across entire school districts and states, and encompassing and integrating STEM in formal and informal venues, and in K-12 schools and IHEs. 
 
Requires the Director and such Secretary to report back to Congress, including on: (1) the grand challenges identified; (2) the role of agencies in supporting research and development activities to address the grand challenges; (3) how agencies will disseminate the results of research and development activities carried out; and (4) how agencies will support implementation of the best practices identified by the research and development activities. 
 
(Sec. 252) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs, nonprofits, or their consortia for sites designated by the Director to provide research experiences for ten or more undergraduate STEM students. Provides for students participating in each program funded by a grant under this section to have mentors. 
 
(Sec. 253) Repeals the provision under the America COMPETES Act providing for the termination of the Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science pilot program. 
 
(Sec. 254) Authorizes the award of grants to IHEs or their consortia for the establishment or expansion of partnerships with local or regional private sector entities to provide undergraduate students with private sector internship experiences that connect with their STEM coursework. Permits the inclusion of industry or professional associations in such partnerships. 
 
Gives priority to IHEs or their consortia that demonstrate significant outreach to and coordination with such entities in the development of courses designed to provide students with the skills necessary for employment in local or regional companies. 
 
Requires a 50% non-federal cost-share from established or expanded partnerships. 
 
Prohibits the use of any federal funds under this section to provide stipends or compensation to students for private sector internships or as payment or reimbursement to private sector entities. 
 
Requires the Director to submit a specifed report to Congress concerning such awards. 
 
(Sec. 255) Continues support of a program for awarding grants to tribal colleges and universities to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of Native American students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in STEM. 
 
Specifies that such grants shall support: (1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in STEM; (2) faculty development; and (3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in research. 
 
Permits the use of funding provided under this section for instrumentation. 
 

Title III: STEM Education 
- (Sec. 301) STEM Education Coordination Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of OSTP to establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of coordinating federal programs and activities in support of STEM education, including at NSF, DOE, NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Education, and all other federal agencies that have programs and activities in support of STEM education. 
 
Directs such committee to: (1) develop, implement, and update once every five years, a five-year STEM education strategic plan which shall specify and prioritize annual and long-term objectives (2) establish, periodically update, and maintain an inventory of federally sponsored STEM education programs and activities, including documentation of assessments of the effectiveness of such programs and activities and rates of participation by underrepresented minorities.
 
 Instructs the Director to encourage and monitor the efforts of participating agencies to ensure that the STEM education strategic plan is developed and executed effectively and that plan objectives are met. 
 
Requires the Director to annually report to Congress on the STEM education strategic plan. 
 
(Sec. 302) Directs the President to establish or designate an advisory committee on STEM education. 
 
 
 
Specifies that the advisory committee's responsibilities include: (1) soliciting input from specified public and private STEM education stakeholder groups to inform federal agencies that support STEM education programs on the needs of states and school districts; (2) soliciting input from all such groups regarding STEM education programs supported by federal agencies; (3) providing advice to such agencies that support STEM education programs on how their program can be better aligned with the needs of states and school districts; and (4) offering guidance to the President on current STEM education activities, research findings, and best practices to increase connectivity between public and private STEM education efforts. 
 
(Sec. 303) Amends the America COMPETES Act and Subpart B of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to define &quot;energy systems science and engineering.&quot;
 
Amends Subpart B of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to revise the definition of &quot;Director&quot; to mean the appointment of designation of a Director of STEM Education under this section. 
 
Repeals chapters 1,2, 3, 4, and 6 of such Act with regard to: (1) the pilot grant program to help states establish or expand public, statewide specialty schools for science and mathematics; (2) a summer internship program to provide experiential-based learning opportunities at the national laboratories; (3) a program to support national laboratories' Centers of Excellence in STEM education; (4) establishment or expansion of summer institutes at the national laboratories; and (5) a mentoring program for women and underrepresented minorities interested in science, engineering, and mathematics careers. 
 
Directs the Secretary of DOE to conduct and coordinate educational activities that leverage DOE's unique content expertise and facilities to contribute toward improvement of STEM education at all levels and to enhance awareness and understanding of STEM, including energy sciences, in order to create a diverse skilled scientific and technical workforce. 
 
Requires the Secretary to carry out evidence-based programs designed to increase student interest and participation, improve public literacy and support, and improve teaching and learning of energy systems science and engineering and other STEM disciplines supported by DOE.
 
Requires the appointment or designation of a Director of STEM Education to oversee and coordinate all DOE programs and activities in support of STEM education. 
 
Requires the Director of STEM education to implement and update a three-year STEM education strategic plan for DOE which identifies and prioritizes annual and long-term STEM education goals and objectives for DOE that are aligned with the overall goals of the National Science and Technology Council Committee's STEM Education Strategic plan required under section 301. 
 
Instructs the Secretary to give consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in carrying out a program authorized under this section. 
 
Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to require, under a program for making technology, engineering, and mathematics education resources related to the energy and science mission of DOE available to teachers and K-12 students, that: (1) resources be made available through a publicly available website; (2) project-based learning opportunities be made available to teachers and students; and (3) required materials and other resources include instruction related to energy systems science and engineering. Repeals the authorization of appropriations for carrying out such program. 
 
Amends the America COMPETES Act to repeal the nuclear science talent expansion program and the hydrocarbon systems science talent expansion program. 
 
Directs the Secretary to award grants to IHEs for the implementation or expansion of energy systems science and engineering educational and technical training capabilities and to provide financial support for master's and doctoral students pursuing study and research of such STEM discipline. Allows grant recipients to use their grants to pursue opportunities for collaboration with industry and national laboratories. Gives priority to proposals involving partnerships with a national laboratory or other energy systems science and engineering related entity. Makes an IHE that receives a grant eligible for up to $1 million each year of the grant period. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015. 
 
Amends the America COMPETES Act to transfer authority from the Director of the Office of Science to the Secretary to carry out a program for awarding early career grant awards to eligible science, engineering, and mathematics researchers. 
 
Sets a per-year limit on the amount of a grant awarded under the program. Increases the maximum grant amount that can be awarded. 
 

 
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for carrying out such program. 
 
Modifies certain requirements regarding the selection of eligible students to be awarded fellowships under the Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Graduate Fellowship Program. Requires fellowships awarded under the Program to cover tuition at an IHE offering a doctoral degree in a field relevant to a DOE mission area. Repeals the authorization of appropriations for carrying out such Program. 
 
Repeals provisions under the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act relating to certain science, mathematics, and engineering education programs. 
 
(Sec. 304) Green Energy Education Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out DOE research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, to contribute energy research and development funds to NSF for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program to support graduate education related to such activities. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to contribute funds for advanced energy technology research and development for high performance buildings to NSF for curriculum development to improve undergraduate or graduate interdisciplinary engineering and architecture education related to the design and construction of such buildings. 
 
Gives priority to applications from departments, programs, or centers of a school of engineering that are partnered with schools, departments, or programs of design, architecture, landscape architecture, and city, regional, or urban planning. 
 

Title IV: National Institute of Standards and Technology 
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 402) National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for: (1) scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities; (2) facilities construction and maintenance; and (3) industrial technology services activities, including the Technology Innovation Program (TIP), Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP), and Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program. 
 
(Sec. 403) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish in the Department of Commerce an Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.
 
Requires the Under Secretary to serve as the Director of NIST and to perform such duties as required of a Director under such Act or by law. 
 
(Sec. 404) Requires the Director to reorganize the scientific and technical research and services laboratory program into the following separate operational units: (1) the Physical Measurement Laboratory; (2) the Information Technology Laboratory; (3) the Engineering Laboratory; (4) the Material Measurement Laboratory; (5) the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology; and (6) the NIST Center for Neutron Research. Describes the missions of those units.
 
Allows, subsequent to such reorganization, the revision of the organization of the scientific and technical research and services laboratory program. Requires any revision to the organization of such program to be submitted in a report to Congress at least 60 days prior to the effective date of such revision. 
 
(Sec. 405) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) promote collaboration among federal departments and agencies and private sector stakeholders in the development and implementation of standards and conformity assessment frameworks to address federal government policy goals; (2) convene federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, to coordinate and determine the government's positions on specific policy issues related to the development of international technical standards and conformity assessment-related activities; and (3) coordinate federal agency engagement in the development of such standards and activities. 
 
Requires the Director to submit annual reports to Congress addressing the federal government's technical standards and conformity assessment-related activities. 
 
(Sec. 406) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (the Act) to make it an objective of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through providing community colleges with information about the job skills needed in small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the regions in which they serve. 
 
Requires the Director to establish, within the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, an innovative services initiative to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers in: (1) reducing their energy usage and environmental waste to improve profitability; and (2) accelerating the domestic commercialization of new product technologies, including components for renewable energy systems. Bars the Director from undertaking any activities to accelerate such commercialization of a new product technology unless an analysis of market demand for the new technology has been conducted. Requires the Director to include, in the three-year programmatic planning document and annual updates of such document submitted under the Act, an assessment of the Director's governance of the Program. Bars the Secretary, for FY2011-FY2015, from: (1) providing to a Center more than half of the costs incurred by it; and (2) requiring that a Center's cost share exceed half of such costs. Requires the Secretary to report on cost share requirements under the Program. 
 
Makes provisions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act for the termination, renewal, or continuation of federal advisory committees non-applicable to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board. 
 
(Sec. 407) Requires the Director to establish a bioscience research program to support research and development of standard reference materials, measurements, methods, and genomic and other data to advance biological drug research and development, molecular diagnostics, medical imaging technologies, and personalized medicine. 
 
Authorizes the Director to establish university research centers at IHEs to conduct research to further the objectives of the program. 
 
 Gives special consideration to applications from specified IHEs, including 1890 (land grant) institutions, predominantly black institutions, part B institutions, tribal colleges or universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions. 
 
Requires an evaluation every three years of each university research center for its contributions to the program. 
 
Requires the Director, if more than one university research center is established, to convene annual meetings of researchers from all such centers. 
 
Requires the Director, to the extent practicable, to assign one or more fellows from the postdoctoral fellowship program to the program. 
 
Ensures that updates to the programmatic planning document submitted under the Act include such bioscience research program. 
 
Amends the Act to limit the number of members who shall be appointed to the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology. Increases the number of such members who shall be from U.S. industry. Requires the Committee's annual reports to the Secretary for submission to Congress to include policy issues or matters which affect the bioscience research program. 
 
(Sec. 408) Requires the Director to establish a research initiative to support development of emergency communication and tracking technology for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures where conventional radio communication is limited. 
 
Requires NIST to work with the private sector and federal agencies to perform a needs assessment that: (1) identifies and evaluates the measurement, technical standards, and conformity assessment needs required to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies; and (2) supports the development of technical standards and conformance architecture to improve such operation and reliability of such communication and technologies. 
 
Requires the Director to submit to Congress and make publicly available a report which describes such assessment and makes recommendations about research priorities to address gaps in the needs identified by the assessment. 
 
(Sec. 409) Makes provisions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act for the termination, renewal, or continuation of federal advisory committees non-applicable to the TIP (Technology Innovation Program) Advisory Board. 
 
(Sec. 410) Requires the Director to promote the participation of underrepresented minorities in research areas supported by NIST in evaluating applications: (1) for research fellowships and other financial assistance for students at IHEs in the United States showing promise as contributors to NIST's mission and for U.S. citizens for research and technical activities on NIST programs; and (2) under a certain post-doctoral fellowships program. 
 
Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require that special consideration be given to applications under the teacher science and technology enhancement program from teachers teaching in high-need schools. 
 
(Sec. 411) Declares that cyber security standards and guidelines developed by NIST for use by U.S. industry and the public shall be voluntary. 
 

Title V: Innovation 
- (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to foster the innovation and commercialization of new technologies, products, processes, and services to promote productivity and economic growth in the United States. 
 
Makes it the responsibility of the Office to: (1) develop and advocate policies to accelerate innovation and advance commercialization of research and development, including federally funded research and development; (2) identify existing barriers to innovation and commercialization; (3) provide access to relevant data, research, and technical assistance on innovation and commercialization; and (4) strengthen collaboration on policies related to innovation and commercialization within the Commerce Department and between the Department and other federal agencies, as appropriate. 
 
Creates an Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to advise the Secretary respecting the Office's responsibilities. 
 
(Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide loan guarantees for obligations to borrowers who are small- or medium-sized manufacturers for projects that use or produce innovative technologies. 
 
Allows loan guarantees to be made only for projects that re-equip, expand, or establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to: (1) use an innovative technology or an innovative process in manufacturing; or (2) manufacture an innovative technology product or an integral component of that product. 
 
Limits the amount of a loan guarantee to 80% of the obligation. 
 
Sets forth requirements regarding defaults on obligations. Grants the holder of the loan guarantee the right to demand payment of the unpaid amount from the Secretary. 
 
Requires payment of the unpaid interest and principal of the obligation by the Secretary to the holder of the loan guarantee within such period as may be specified in the guarantee or related agreements, unless the Secretary finds there was no default by the borrower or that the default has been remedied. Requires, if the Secretary makes such a payment, the Secretary to be subrogated to the rights of the recipient of the payment or related agreements, including, if appropriate, the authority to: (1) complete, maintain, operate, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired pursuant to such guarantee or agreement; or (2) permit the borrower to continue pursuing the project's purposes, if such an agreement is in the public interest. 
 
Requires the Attorney General to be notified of a default by a borrower on an obligation, and upon notification, requires the Attorney General Secretary to take such action as is appropriate for the recovery of the unpaid principal and interest. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract to pay the holders of any obligation guaranteed under the program for, and on behalf of the borrower, the principal and interest payments that become due and payable on the unpaid balance, if the borrower is unable to make the payments and is not in default and other specified conditions are met. 
 
Sets forth requirements regarding the terms and conditions, fees, and records respecting loan guarantees made under this section. 
 
Requires: (1) the Secretary to enter into an arrangement with an independent auditor for annual evaluations of the program; (2) an annual review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the Secretary's execution of the program; and (3) submission directly to Congress of such independent audit and annual reviews. 
 
Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress summarizing all of the activities carried out under the program. 
 
Permits the use of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to provide information about the program and to conduct outreach to potential borrowers. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that no loan guarantees be made under this section unless the borrower agrees to use a federally-approved employment eligibility verification system with respect to: (1) persons hired during the contract term to perform employment duties in the United States; and (2) persons assigned to perform work in the United States on the project. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to: (1) provide the cost of the loan guarantees; and (2) carry out the authority of the Secretary to enter into a contract to make payments on behalf of a borrower as described above.
 
(Sec. 503) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to establish a regional innovation program to encourage and support the development of regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible recipients for activities related to the development of regional innovation clusters. 
 
Sets forth permissible activities for which awarded grants may be used, including for facilitating market development of products and services developed by a regional innovation cluster. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from providing more than half of the total cost share of any activity funded under this section. 
 
Establishes a regional innovation research and information program to: (1) gather, analyze, and disseminate information on best practices for regional innovation strategies; (2) provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of such strategies; and (3) collect and make available data on regional innovation clusters. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award research grants to support program goals.
 
Requires the dissemination of data and analysis compiled under the program to other federal agencies, state and local governments, and nonprofit and for-profit entities.
 
Incorporates data and analysis related to any regional innovation cluster supported by a grant under the program. 
 
Instructs the Secretary to pursue collaboration with other federal agencies on regional innovation strategies. 
 
Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent entity, such as NAS, to conduct an evaluation of the program, which shall include a recommendation as to whether such program should be continued or terminated. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to carry out such programs, including for such evaluation. 
 
Defines &quot;regional innovation cluster.&quot; 
 

Title VI: Department of Energy 
- 
Subtitle A: Office of Science 
- Department of Energy Office of Science Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 603) Declares that the mission of the DOE Office of Science shall be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and major scientific tools to transform the understanding of nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. 
 
Directs the Secretary of DOE to carry out, through the Office of Science, programs on basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, advanced scientific computing research, fusion energy sciences, high energy physics, and nuclear physics through activities focused on: (1) the study of the subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules that compose our world from DNA to entire biological systems; (2) advancing a clean energy agenda and our understanding of the Earth's climate; and (3) national scientific user facilities to deliver 21st century science, engineering, and technological tools and provide the nation's researchers with the most advanced tools for studying the nanoworld. 
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Science to develop a plan to increase the percentage of domestically sourced hardware for planned and ongoing projects of DOE. Instructs the Director, under such plan, to: (1) give consideration to technologies that the United States does not currently have the capacity to manufacture and to procurement activities that can strengthen U.S. high-technology competitiveness; (2) seek engagement with domestic manufacturers; and (3) annually assess levels of domestically available goods relevant to such projects of the Office. Requires transmission of such plan and any appropriate updates to Congress. 
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the degree to which current research activities are competitive and merit-reviewed. 
 
(Sec. 604) Requires the Director to: (1) carry out a basic energy sciences program to provide scientific foundations for new energy technologies; and (2) support construction of the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a Second Target Station at the Spallation Neutron Source, and an upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source to improve brightness and performance. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out a grant program to provide awards to multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs related to needs identified in: (1) the Grand Challenges report; (2) the Basic Energy Sciences Basic Research Needs workshop reports; (3) energy-related Grand Challenges for Engineering; or (3) other relevant reports identified by the Director. 
 
Prohibits using funds under this section for the construction of new buildings or facilities. 
 
Requires the Director, in consultation with the Office of Science's High Energy Physics and Nuclear Physics programs, to carry out research and development on advanced accelerator technologies relevant to the development of Basic Energy Sciences user facilities. 
 
(Sec. 605) Requires the Director to carry out a biological systems science and climate and environmental science research program to support DOE energy and environmental missions. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research and development in biological systems science to increase systems-level understanding of complex biological systems, including activities to: (1) improve understanding of the global carbon cycle, including processes for removing carbon from the atmosphere; and (2) understand the biological mechanisms used to destroy, immobilize, or remove contaminants from subsurface environments. Requires the Director to transmit to Congress a research plan and updates describing how activities authorized under the program will be undertaken. Requires DOE to support bioenergy research centers in the acceleration of basic biological research and development and commercial application of biomass-based liquid transportation fuels, bioenergy, and biobased products that support DOE energy and environmental missions and are produced from regionally diverse feedstocks. 
 
Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan of federally supported research and development activities to support the energy and environmental missions of DOE and to enable a synthetic biology industry in the United States. Requires the plan to assess the need for the creation of a database for synthetic biology information. 
 
Requires the Director, in collaboration with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program established in section 606, to: (1) carry out research in computational biology; (2) acquire or otherwise ensure availability of hardware for biology-specific computation; and (3) establish an open virtual database and information management system.
 
Makes it unlawful to conduct of biomedical research under the biological systems science activities described above. Prohibits anything in this section from: (1) authorizing the conduct of any research or demonstrations on human cells or subjects or designed to have direct application to such cells or subjects; and (2) restricting DOE from sharing research findings, research methodologies, models, or any other information with any federal agency. 
 
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the DOE systems biology program. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out climate and environmental science research, which shall include: (1) observation and modeling of the response of the Earth's atmosphere and biosphere, including oceans, to increased concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions, and associated changes in climate; (2) understanding the processes for sequestration, destruction, immobilization, or removal of, and understanding of the movement of, contaminants and carbon in subsurface environments; and (3) informing potential mitigation and adaptation options for increased concentrations of such emissions and changes. 
 
Requires the Director, in collaboration with other relevant agencies that are participants in the United States Global Change Research Program, to carry out the selection and development of a next-generation ecosystem-climate change experiment and to report to Congress.
 
Requires the Director to carry out research and coordinate the AmeriFlux Network to observe the exchange of greenhouse gases, water vapor, and heat energy within terrestrial ecosystems and the response of those systems to climate change and other terrestrial landscape changes, including by: (1) identifying opportunities to incorporate innovative and emerging observation technologies and practices into the Network; (2) conducting research to determine the need for increased greenhouse gas observation Network facilities across North America to meet future U.S. mitigation and adaptation needs; and (3) examining how such technologies and practices and increased coordination among scientific communities have the potential to help characterize terrestrial baseline greenhouse gas emission sources and sinks in the United States and internationally. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research for the development and use of high-resolution climate, Earth, and predictive models to inform decisions on reducing impacts of changing climate. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research into options for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and to coordinate such activities with other Office of Science activities and with the Global Change Research Program. 
 
(Sec. 606) Requires the Director to carry out a research and development and commercial application program to advance computational and networking capabilities for analyzing, modeling, simulating, and predicting complex phenomena relevant to the development of new energy technologies and U.S. competitiveness. 
 
Requires the program to support research in high-performance computing and networking relevant to energy applications. 
 
Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a plan for the integration and leverage of the expertise of the program, as well as other computational and networking research programs and resources supported by the federal government to advance the missions of DOE's applied energy and energy efficiency programs. 
 
Requires the Secretary, at least 18 months before initiating the construction or installation of any exascale-class computing facility, to transmit a plan to Congress which includes an assessment of the scientific and technological advances expected from such a facility relative to those expected from an investment in expanded research at terrascale-class and petascale-class computing facilities. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out activities for development, testing, and support of mathematics, models, and algorithms for complex systems as well as programming environments, tools, languages, and operating systems for high-end computing systems. 
 
Requires the Director to: (1) provide for sustained access by the public and private research community in the United States to high-end computing systems, including access to the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center and to Leadership Systems (as defined under the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004); and (2) conduct research and development on next-generation computing architectures and platforms to support DOE missions. 
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach programs and allows the Secretary to form partnerships to increase use and access to high-performance computing modeling and simulation by industry, including manufacturers. 
 
(Sec. 607) Directs the Secretary to carry out a fusion energy research and technology development program to address the scientific and engineering challenges in building a cost-competitive fusion power plant and a competitive fusion power industry in the United States. Requires the Director, as part of such program, to carry out research to expand the fundamental understanding of plasmas and matter at very high temperatures and densities. 
 
Requires the Director to coordinate and carry out U.S. responsibilities respecting the ITER international fusion project pursuant to the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project. 
 
Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a report on DOE's proposed research and development activities in magnetic fusion over a ten-year period and under four budget scenarios to identify: (1) areas of fusion energy research and technology development in which the United States can and should establish or solidify a lead in the global fusion energy development effort; and (2) priorities for initiation of facility construction and decommissioning. 
 
Requires the Director, in coordination with the DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, to carry out research and development activities for the creation of materials that can endure the neutron, plasma, and heat fluxes expected in a commercial fusion power plant. 
 
Requires the Secretary as part of DOE's proposed research and development activities in magnetic fusion, to provide an assessment of: (1) the need for a facility or facilities that can examine and test potential fusion and next generation fission materials and other technologies relevant to the development of commercial fusion power plants; and (2) whether a single new facility that substantially addresses magnetic fusion, inertial fusion, and next generation fission materials research needs is feasible. 
 
Requires the Director to develop the technologies necessary to enable reliable, sustainable, safe, and economically competitive operation of a commercial fusion power plant. 
 
Requires the Director, in collaboration with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program under section 606, to carry out a computational project to advance the capability of fusion researchers to simulate an entire fusion energy system. 
 
Directs the Secretary to carry out an inertial fusion research and development program for energy applications, including for ion beam and laser fusion. Requires the Secretary to transmit, within 180 days after the release of a report from NAS on inertial fusion energy research, a report to Congress on DOE's plan for incorporating any relevant recommendations from the NAS report into such program. 
 
(Sec. 608) Requires the Director to carry out a high energy physics program on the elementary constituents of matter and energy and the nature of space and time. 
 
Requires research to be carried out on the rare decay processes and the nature of the neutrino which may include collaborations with NSF on relevant projects and utilization of components of accelerator facilities to produce neutrino beams in order to explore research priorities identified by the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel or NAS. 
 
Requires research to be carried out on the nature of dark energy and dark matter, the activities of which may include: (1) the development of space-based and land-based facilities and experiments; and (2) collaborations with NASA, NSF, or international collaborations on relevant research projects. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research and development in advanced accelerator concepts and technologies in order to reduce the scope and cost for the next generation of particle accelerators.
 
Requires the Director to ensure the access of U.S. researchers to the most advanced accelerator facilities and research capabilities in the world, including the Large Hadron Collider. 
 
(Sec. 609) Requires the Director to carry out a nuclear physics research program, and support relevant facilities, to discover and understand various forms of nuclear matter. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out: (1) an upgrade of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility to a 12 gigaelectronvolt beam of electrons; and (2) construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out a program for the production of isotopes, including the development of techniques to produce isotopes that are needed for research or other purposes. 
 
(Sec. 610) Requires the Director to carry out a program to improve the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. Includes as projects under such program the construction of modern facilities to conduct advanced research in controlled environmental conditions. Permits the Secretary to carry out minor construction projects respecting laboratories administered by the Office of Science. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on each use of such authority, including a summary of maintenance and infrastructure needs and associated funding requirements at each of the laboratories. 
 
Requires submission of a cost variation report to Congress if the revised cost of any minor construction project exceeds the &quot;minor construction threshold&quot; ($10 million). Makes provisions under the Atomic Energy Defense Act relating to certain national security construction projects of DOE, including minor construction projects, non-applicable to laboratories administered by the Office of Science. 
 
(Sec. 611) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Secretary for activities of the Office of Science for basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, and advanced scientific computing research. 
 

Subtitle B: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy 
- (Sec. 622) ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the America COMPETES Act to instruct the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the Department of Energy (DOE) to achieve the goals of ARPA-E through energy technology projects which: (1) identify and promote revolutionary advances in applied sciences; and (2) promote the commercial application of advanced energy technologies. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of the Director of ARPA-E: (1) the research and development of advanced manufacturing process and technologies for the domestic manufacturing of novel energy technologies; and (2) with respect to achieving ARPA-E goals through energy technology projects by accelerating transformational technological advances in areas that industry is not likely to undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty, ensuring that applications for funding disclose the extent of current and prior efforts in pursuit of the technology area for which funding is being requested, adopting measures to ensure that program managers adhere to the objectives of accelerating such technological advances in such areas in making awards under this section, and providing a summary in the annual report of the instances and reasons for ARPA-E funding projects in technology areas already being undertaken by industry. 
 
Requires the Director to: (1) make awards through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, cash prizes, and other transactions to carry out ARPA-E; and (2) establish within ARPA-E a staff to enable ARPA-E to carry out its responsibilities in conjunction with the operations of the rest of DOE. 
 
Requires the Director to designate ARPA-E employees to serve as program directors (under current law, as program managers). Eliminates the requirement that energy technology projects to be supported under a program established within ARPA-E shall be selected with advice from certain advisory committees, as appropriate. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of program directors the identification of: (1) innovative cost-sharing arrangements for ARPA-E projects, including through use of the authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for reducing or eliminating the 20% non-federal cost share requirement with respect to a research and development activity of an applied nature; and (2) mechanisms for commercial application of successful energy technology development projects, including through establishment of partnerships between awardees and commercial entities. 
 
Revises program manager terms. 
 
Removes the restrictions on the number of scientific, engineering, and professional personnel whom the Director has the authority to appoint. 
 
Authorizes the Director to select exceptional early career and senior scientific, legal, business, and technical personnel to serve as fellows to work at ARPA-E for two-year terms. Includes as responsibilities of fellows: (1) supporting program managers in program creation, implementation, and management; (2) exploring technical fields for future ARPA-E program areas; (3) assisting the Director in the creation of the strategic vision for ARPA-E; and (4) preparing energy technology and economic analyses. 
 
Extends the deadlines for submission of the strategic vision roadmaps to Congress. 
 
Instructs the Director to seek opportunities to partner with purchasing and procurement programs of federal agencies to demonstrate energy technologies resulting from activities funded through ARPA-E. 
 
Authorizes the Director to convene events that further ARPA-E objectives, including events that facilitate discussion of the commercial application of energy technologies. Requires that funding for such events be provided as part of the technology transfer and outreach activities authorized to receive funding from the Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund. 
 
Extends the period under which the Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract with NAS for an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and mission which shall include a description of how lessons learned from the operation of ARPA-E may apply to the operation of other programs within DOE. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Director to carry out the purposes of ARPA-E. 
 
Increases the percentage of the amount allocated for use for technology transfer and outreach activities of ARPA-E. Requires such amount to be used for such activities that are consistent with the goal of promoting the commercial application of advanced energy technologies and that are within the responsibilities of program directors to identify mechanisms for commercial application of successful technology development projects, including through establishment of partnerships between award and commercial entities. 
 

Subtitle C: Energy Innovation Hubs 
- Energy Innovation Hubs Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 632) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program for making grants to consortia to establish and operate Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct and support multidisciplinary, collaborative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of advanced energy technologies in areas not being served by the private sector. 
 
Requires the designation of a unique advanced energy development focus for each hub. 
 
Instructs the Secretary to ensure the coordination and avoid unnecessary duplication of Hubs' activities with those of other DOE research entities, including the national laboratories, ARPA-E, and Energy Frontier Research Centers, and within industry. 
 
Requires each Hub to: (1) encourage collaboration and communication among the member qualifying entities of the consortium and awardees by conducting activities at one centralized location, whenever practicable; (2) publish on DOE's website proposed plans and programs; (3) submit annual reports summarizing the Hub's activities, including listing external advisory committee members and describing each project undertaken by the Hub; and (4) monitor project implementation and coordination. 
 
Requires each Hub to establish an external advisory committee, which shall advise and provide guidance on scientific, technical, industry, financial, and research management matters. 
 
Requires Hubs to establish conflict of interest procedures. Authorizes the Secretary to disqualify an application or revoke funds distributed to a Hub if it is discovered that there was a failure in complying with such procedures. 
 
Prohibits using any funds under this section for the construction of new buildings and facilities for Hubs. Bars construction of such building or facilities from being considered as a portion of the non-federal share of a Hub cost-sharing agreement. 
 
Prohibits anything in this section from prohibiting the use of funds under this section, or non-federal cost share funds, for the construction of a test bed or renovations to existing buildings or facilities for research if the Oversight Board determines that the test bed or renovations are limited to a scope and scale necessary for the research to be conducted. 
 
Establishes an Oversight Board within DOE to oversee the progress of Hubs.
 
Gives priority consideration to applications in which one or more of the qualifying entities of the consortium are 1890 Land Grant Institutions, predominantly black Institutions, tribal colleges or universities, or Hispanic serving institutions. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015.
 

Subtitle D: Cooperative Research and Development Fund 
- Cooperative Research and Development Fund Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 642) Directs the Secretary to make funds available to DOE national laboratories for the federal cost share of cooperative research and development agreements. Requires the apportionment of such funds to the DOE national laboratories. 
 
Ensures that special consideration is given to small business firms and consortia involving such firms in the selection of which such agreements will receive such funds. 
 
Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress describing how funds were spent under this subtitle. 
 
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out such Fund. Prohibits funds allocated for this section from coming from funds allocated for the Office of Science. 
 

Title VII: Miscellaneous 
- (Sec. 701) Expresses the sense of Congress that, among the programs and activities authorized in this Act, those that correspond to the recommendations of the NAS 2005 report entitled &quot;Rising Above the Gathering Storm&quot; remain critical to maintaining long-term U.S. competitiveness, and shall accordingly receive funding priority. 
 
(Sec. 702) Instructs that IHEs serving large members of students with disabilities, including Gallaudet University, Landmark College, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and those with programs serving or those serving disabled veterans, shall receive special consideration and have a designation consistent with that for other institutions that serve populations underrepresented in STEM, ensuring that IHEs serving disabled persons benefit from the activities and programs supported by this Act. 
 
(Sec. 703) Instructs IHEs, in the awarding of scholarships and fellowships under this Act, to give preference to applications from veterans and service members, including those who have received or will receive the Afghanistan Campaign Medal or the Iraq Campaign Medal. 

action_date: 2010-05-28
text: 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 - 
Title I: Science and Technology Policy 
- 
Subtitle A: National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments 
- National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2010 - (Sec. 102) Revises the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act with regard to strategic plans developed pursuant to the National Nanotechnology Program (the Program).
 
Modifies annual reporting requirements concerning the Program. Requires agencies participating in the Program to support the activities of committees involved in the setting of standards for nanotechnology. Allows such agencies to reimburse the travel costs of scientists and engineers participating in the activities of such committees. 
 
Revises requirements concerning the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Requires the Office to be supported by funds from each agency participating in the Program. Sets forth annual reporting requirements regarding the Office. 
 
Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to: (1) develop a database providing information to the public concerning projects funded under the Environmental, Health, and Safety, the Education and Societal Dimensions, and the Nanomanufacturing program component areas; and (2) develop and publicize information on nanotechnology facilities supported under the Program which may include information on nanotechnology facilities supported by the states and that are accessible for use by individuals from academic institutions and industry. 
 
Makes the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel a distinct entity. Instructs the Panel to form a subpanel to enable it to assess whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Program. Requires at least one member of the Advisory Panel to be an individual employed by and representing a minority-serving institution. 
 
Rewrites provisions for triennial external review of the Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2012 for such reviews from the amounts provided by participating agencies supporting the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. 
 
Modifies the definition of "nanotechnology." Defines "nanoscale" as one or more dimensions of between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers. 
 
 (Sec. 103) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to designate an associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy as the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology. Makes the Coordinator responsible for oversight of the coordination, planning, and budget prioritization of activities required by the Program to ensure that appropriate societal concerns are considered during the nanotechnology development. 
 
Includes among the Coordinator's responsibilities: (1) ensuring that the plan for the environmental, health, and safety research activities is developed, updated, and implemented and responsive to recommendations of the subpanel of the Advisory Panel; (2) encouraging and monitoring efforts of participating agencies to allocate resources and management necessary to ensure that societal concerns related to nanotechnology are addressed; and (3) encouraging agencies developing the research plan to implement mechanisms establishing public-private partnerships supporting environmental, health, and safety research. 
 
Requires the Coordinator to convene a panel to develop a research plan for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area. Instructs such panel to solicit and be responsive to recommendations from the subpanel of the Advisory Panel and the agencies responsible for environmental, health, and safety regulations associated with nanoscale materials and products. Requires the plan to include a description of how the Program will help to ensure the development of standards related to engineered nanoscale materials. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), as part of the mathematics and science education partnerships program carried out pursuant to the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002, to provide grants to establish Nanotechnology Education Partnerships and requires each such partnership to include businesses engaged in nanoscale production. 
 
Requires such partnerships to be designed to recruit and to help prepare secondary school students to pursue postsecondary level nanotechnology courses. 
 
Requires such grants to support: (1) activities to inform teachers and students about career possibilities in nanotechnology; and (2) identification of nanotechnology educational materials and incorporation of nanotechnology into the curriculum at one or more organizations participating in a Partnership. 
 
Requires the Program, as part of the activities included under the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area to support efforts to introduce nanoscale science, engineering, and technology into undergraduate science and engineering education. Includes as supported activities: (1) the development of courses or modules to existing courses; (2) faculty professional development; and (3) the acquisition of equipment and instrumentation suitable for undergraduate education and research. Authorizes appropriations to the NSF Director for FY2010 to carry out such activities through: (1) the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program; and (2) the Advanced Technology Education program. 
 
Requires the National Science and Technology Council to establish, under the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee, an Education Working Group to plan educational activities supported under the Program. 
 
Requires activities supported under the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area to include education regarding the societal aspects of nanotechnology. Directs agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to allow Internet access and support the associated costs. Permits waivers of such requirement when particular facilities would be inappropriate for educational purposes or the costs of providing such access would be prohibitive. 
 
 (Sec. 104) Requires agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities to provide access to such facilities to assist companies to develop prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes. 
 
Sets forth provisions concerning nanotechnology related projects under existing nanotechnology transfer programs. 
 
Establishes industry liaison groups for all industry sectors that would benefit from nanotechnology applications. Requires the Nanomanufacturing, Industry Liaison, and Innovation Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council to actively pursue such liaison groups. 
 
Requires coordination and leveraging of federal investments with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives supported by the states. 
 
 (Sec. 105) Requires the Program to include support for nanotechnology research and development activities directed toward areas that have the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and other significant societal benefits. Requires supported activities to be designed to advance the development of research discoveries in such areas as nano-electronics, energy efficiency, health care, and water remediation and purification. Requires the Advisory Panel to recommend to the Program candidate research and development areas. 
 
Requires such research and development activities to include: (1) projects selected for support through a competitive, merit-based process; and (2) a plan for fostering the transfer to industry of research discoveries and the results of technology demonstration activities. 
 
Requires collaboration of no fewer than two participating agencies to determine the procedures for review, selection, and subsequent project funding. Requires such agencies to give special consideration to projects with cost-sharing from non-federal sources. 
 
Permits such research and development activities to be supported through interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers. 
 
Requires the Program annual report to include a description of the research and development areas supported. 
 
 (Sec. 106) Requires the Nanomanufacturing program component area to include research on: (1) the development of instrumentation and tools required for the rapid characterization of nanoscale materials and for monitoring nanoscale manufacturing processes; and (2) techniques for scaling the synthesis of new nanoscale materials to achieve industrial-level production rates. 
 
Directs interdisciplinary research centers to include activities relating to green nanomanufacturing research. Requires the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to sponsor a public meeting to: (1) obtain views on the relevance and value of the nanomanufacturing research being carried out under the Program and whether nanotechnology research facilities supported under the Program are adequate; and (2) receive recommendations on ways to strengthen research supported under the Nanomanufacturing program component area and on improving the capabilities of such facilities. 
 
Requires inviting companies participating in industry liaison groups to participate in such meeting. 
 
Directs the Advisory Panel to review the Program and the capabilities of nanotechnology research facilities, taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the public meeting. 
 

Subtitle B: Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
- Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2010 - (Sec. 112) Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to rename the National High-Performance Computing Program as the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program (the Program). 
 
 Directs participating federal agencies to: (1) periodically assess the contents and funding levels of program component areas and restructure the Program when warranted; and (2) ensure that the Program includes large-scale, long-term, interdisciplinary research and development (R&D) activities, including such activities in networking and information technology in areas having the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other societal benefits. 
 
Requires the federal agencies to develop, and update every three years, a five-year strategic plan to guide activities provided for under the Program. Requires the plan to describe how the Program will accomplish specified objectives, including by: (1) fostering the transfer of R&D results into new technologies and applications for the benefit of society, including through cooperation and collaborations with networking and information technology research, development, and technology transition initiatives supported by the states; (2) encouraging and supporting mechanisms for interdisciplinary R&D in networking and information technology, including through collaborations; and (3) attracting more women and underrepresented minorities to pursue postsecondary degrees in networking and information technology. 
 
Requires the strategic plan to be accompanied by milestones and road maps for establishing the national research infrastructure required to support the Program. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Coordination Office to transmit the strategic plan to the advisory committee and to Congress. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to encourage and monitor the efforts of participating agencies to allocate the resources and management attention necessary to ensure that the strategic plan is executed effectively and that Program objectives are met. 
 
Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to require the co-chairs of the advisory committee to be members of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. 
 
Amends the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 to require annual reports on the implementation of the Program to: (1) describe the levels of federal funding for the previous fiscal year; (2) describe the levels of federal funding for the previous fiscal year for agencies and departments participating in the Program; and (3) include reporting on the research areas supported under section 113 of this subtitle. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to include in such reports: (1) a description of how the objectives for program component areas, and for activities that involve multiple program component areas relate to the Program's objectives identified in the strategic plan; (2) a description of the funding required by the National Coordination Office to perform its functions for the next and current fiscal years; and (3) the amount of funding provided for such Office for the current fiscal year. 
 
 (Sec. 113) Directs the Program to encourage the federal agencies to support large-scale, long-term, interdisciplinary R&D activities in networking and information technology directed toward areas having the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other societal benefits. Requires such activities to be designed to advance the development of research discoveries. Instructs the advisory committee to make recommendations for candidate R&D areas for support. 
 
Requires that such R&D activities shall: (1) include projects based on applications for support that are selected through a competitive, merit-based process; (2) involve collaborations among researchers in institutions of higher education (IHEs) and industry, permitting the involvement of nonprofit research institutions and federal laboratories, as appropriate; (3) leverage federal investments through collaboration with related state initiatives, when possible; and (4) include a plan for fostering the transfer of research discoveries and the results of technology demonstration activities, including from IHEs and federal laboratories, to industry for commercial development. 
 
Requires the federal agencies to give special consideration to projects that include cost sharing from non-federal sources. 
 
Instructs, when two or more of the federal agencies or other appropriate agencies are working on large-scale R&D activities in the same area, such agencies to strive to collaborate through joint solicitation and selection of applications for support and subsequent funding of projects. 
 
Allows R&D activities under this section to be supported through interdisciplinary research centers organized to investigate basic research questions and carry out technology demonstration activities. Permits research to be carried out through existing centers, including the multidisciplinary Centers for Communications Research authorized under the America COMPETES Act. 
 
 (Sec. 114) Requires the Program, in addition to its current requirements, to provide for: (1) increased understanding of the scientific principles of cyber-physical systems and improve the methods available for the design, development, and operation of such systems; and (2) research and development on human-computer interactions, visualization, and information management. Defines "cyber-physical systems" as physical or engineered systems whose networking and information technology functions and physical elements are deeply integrated and are actively connected to the physical world through sensors, actuators, or other means to perform monitoring and control functions. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Coordination Office (established by section 115 of this subtitle) to convene a task force to explore mechanisms for carrying out collaborative R&D activities on cyber-physical systems through a consortium or other appropriate entity with participants from institutions of higher education, federal laboratories, and industry. 
 
Requires the task force to: (1) propose a process for the development of a R&D agenda for such entity, including objectives and milestones; and (2) propose guidelines for assigning intellectual property rights and for the transfer of research results to the private sector; and (3) recommend how such entity could be funded from federal, state, and non-governmental sources. Requires such Director to transmit to to Congress a report that describes the task force's findings and recommendations. 
 
 (Sec. 115) Repeals provisions for the National Research and Education Network. 
 
Establishes a National Coordination Office. Directs the National Coordination Office to: (1) serve as the primary point of contact on federal networking and information technology activities; (2) solicit input and recommendations from stakeholders during the development of each strategic plan through the convening of at least one workshop; (3) conduct public outreach; and (4) promote access to and early application of the technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program activities. 
 
Requires the operation of the National Coordination Office to be supported by funds from agencies participating in the Program. 
 
 (Sec. 116) Directs NSF, as part of the Program, to use its existing programs, in collaboration with other agencies, as appropriate, for improving the teaching and learning of networking and information technology at all education levels and to increase participation in networking and information technology fields, including by women and underrepresented minorities. 
 
 (Sec. 117) Makes technical and conforming amendments, including with respect to the activities of the NSF, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Commerce, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Education under the Program. 
 

Subtitle C: Other OSTP Provisions 
- (Sec. 121) Instructs OSTP to ensure the development of policies for the management and use of federal scientific collections to improve their quality, organization, access, and long-term preservation for the benefit of scientific enterprise. 
 
Requires OSTP to: (1) ensure the development of an online clearinghouse for information on the contents of, and access to, federal scientific collections. 
 
Sets forth requirements for the disposal of federal scientific collections, including procedures for the transfer of collections no longer needed to researchers at institutions or other entities qualified to manage such collections. 
 
Requires OSTP to develop a common set of methodologies to be used by federal agencies to project costs associated with the management and preservation of their scientific collections. 
 
(Sec. 122) Requires the establishment or designation of an interagency committee under the National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility for planning and coordinating federal programs and activities in manufacturing research and development to: (1) establish goals and priorities for manufacturing research and development that will strengthen U.S. manufacturing; and (2) develop a strategic plan with updates every five years which shall include a description of how federal agencies will foster the transfer of such results into new manufacturing technologies, processes, and products and will strengthen manufacturing education and training programs to ensure an adequate, well-trained workforce. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to transmit the strategic plan and the subsequent updates to Congress. 
 
(Sec. 123) Establishes a working group under the National Science and Technology Council to coordinate federal science agency research and policies related to the dissemination and long-term stewardship of the results of unclassified research, including digital data and peer-reviewed scholarly publications supported by funding from federal science agencies having an annual extramural research expenditure of over $100 million.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that peer review is an important part of the process of ensuring the integrity of the record of scientific research. Urges such working group to take into account the role of scientific publishers in the review process. 
 
(Sec. 124) Requires the Director of OSTP to develop a policy for federal science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate specified federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in the evaluation of federal research grants and in the related academic advancement of the recipients of these grants. 
 
Authorizes federal science agencies to carry out such program by making grants to eligible organizations as described in this section. 
 
Requires OSTP to support at least one workshop every two years among the federal science agencies in the major science and engineering disciplines.
 
Requires the Director to transmit a report to Congress evaluating such program's effectiveness in reducing gender bias towards women engaged in federally funded research. 
 
Requires the Director to develop a policy to extend research grant support and provide interim technical support for federally funded researchers who are caregivers. Requires transmission of a copy of such policy to Congress. 
 
Requires federal science agencies to collect specified standardized annual data for all applications for research and development grants to IHEs and to submit the data collected to the NSF. Makes NSF responsible for storing and publishing all such grant data. 
 
Requires annual publication of a list of the IHE science and engineering departments whose representatives attended the workshops described above. 
 
(Sec. 125) Requires the Director of OSTP to submit to Congress and the President a national competitiveness and innovation strategy for strengthening the innovative and competitive capacity of the federal government, state and local governments, IHEs, and the private sector, including proposed legislative changes and actions, specified proposed actions, and a proposal for monitoring and oversight of the government's progress in improving conditions for innovation and competitiveness. 
 

Title II: National Science Foundation 
- National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 - 
Subtitle A: General Provisions 
- (Sec. 212) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to NSF for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) agency operations and award management; (5) the Office of the National Science Board; and (6) the Office of Inspector General. 
 
(Sec. 213) Eliminates the ceiling on the number of limited term personnel the National Science Board may permit to be appointed and assigned by its Chairman. 
 
Changes the deadline for the Board to submit to the President and Congress its annual report on indicators of the state of science and engineering in the United States. 
 
Limits National Science Board reports to the President and Congress related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering to matters within NSF authority (or otherwise as requested by the Congress or the President). 
 
Repeals the requirement that the Inspector General of NSF conduct an audit every three years on the Board's compliance with open meetings subject to the Government in the Sunshine Act. 
 
Changes the deadline for the NSF Inspector General to transmit to Congress any recommendations for corrective actions that need to be taken to achieve fuller compliance with such open meetings and recommendations on how to ensure public access to the deliberations of the Board. 
 
(Sec. 214) Directs NSF to implement a policy for a specified broader impacts review criterion, including goals to achieve increased U.S. economic competitiveness, development of a globally competitive science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) workforce, and increased national security. Requires the Director of NSF (the Director) to implement a policy for the criterion that takes certain actions with respect to NSF professional staff, merit review panels, grant applicants and recipients and principal investigators involving NSF research grants. 
 
(Sec. 215) Establishes within NSF a National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics to serve as a central federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of data on science, engineering, technology, and research and development. 
 
Requires the Director, acting through the Center, to: (1) collect, analyze, report, and disseminate statistical data related to science and engineering enterprise in the United States and other nations; (2) support research using the data it collects, and on methodologies in areas related to the work of the Center; and (3) support the education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale, nationally representative data sets. 
 
Requires the Director or the National Science Board to issue special statistical reports on topics related to the national and international science and engineering enterprise. 
 
(Sec. 216) Requires the Director to report statistical summary data on the demographics of STEM faculty at IHEs in the United States. Specifies, at a minimum, the kinds of statistical data the Director is to consider. Requires a report to Congress on how NSF will gather such data on such faculty. 
 

Subtitle B: Research and Innovation 
- (Sec. 221) Requires NSF to use at least 5% of its research budget to fund basic, high-risk, high-reward (transformative) research proposals. Prohibits support for facilities and infrastructure, including preconstruction design and operations and maintenance of major research facilities, from being counted as part of the research budget for the purposes of supporting such potentially transformative research. 
 
Authorizes NSF to: (1) develop solicitations for high-risk, high-reward basic research; (2) establish review panels for the selection of such proposals or modify instructions to standard review panels to require identification of such proposals; and (3) support workshops and participate in conferences to identify new opportunities for such research, especially at interdisciplinary interfaces. 
 
Defines &quot;high-risk, high-reward basic research.&quot; 
 
(Sec. 222) Requires NSF to make awards of not exceeding $5 million over a period of up to five years to interdisciplinary research collaborations likely to assist in addressing critical challenges to national security, competitiveness, and societal well-being and that: (1) involve at least two co-equal principal investigators; (2) draw upon well-integrated, diverse teams of investigators, including students or postdoctoral researchers, from one or more disciplines; and (3) foster creativity and pursue high-risk, high-reward research. 
 
Gives priority to applicants that propose to utilize advances in cyberinfrastructure and simulation-based science and engineering. 
 
(Sec. 223) Requires NSF to carry out a program of awarding grants to IHEs to support research leading to advances in manufacturing, including nanomanufacturing. 
 
Requires the Director to award grants to strengthen and expand scientific and technical education and training in advanced manufacturing, including NSF's advanced technological education program. 
 
(Sec. 224) Requires the Director, for NSF research grants of over $2 million to be carried out through specified partnerships, to award funds directly to at least 2 of the IHEs (as defined below) in such a partnership to ensure a strong and equitable partnership. 
 
Defines such IHEs as the institutions that are among the 100 institutions receiving, over the 3-year period immediately preceding the awarding of the grants, the highest amount of research funding from NSF. 
 
Requires the Director to report to Congress on such institutional research partnerships.
 
(Sec. 225) Directs the National Science Board to evaluate and report to Congress on mid-scale research instrumentation needs at NSF. 
 
(Sec. 226) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should strive to keep the percentage of NSF's budget devoted to research infrastructure in the range of 24% to 27%, as recommended in the 2003 National Science Board report entitled &quot;Science and Engineering Infrastructure for the 21st century.&quot; 
 
(Sec. 227) Requires the Director to carry out a program to award grants to IHEs for the establishment and expansion of partnerships that promote innovation and increase the economic and social impact of research by developing the tools and resources to connect new scientific discoveries to practical uses.
 
Requires IHEs, to be eligible for funding, to propose the establishment of a partnership that includes at least one private sector entity and that may include other IHEs, public sector institutions, private sector entities, and social enterprise nonprofits.
 
Gives, in the selection of grant recipients, priority to partnerships which include 1 or more IHEs that are among the 100 institutions receiving, over the 3-year period immediately preceding the awarding of the grants, the highest amount of research funding from NSF and at least 1 minority serving institution, one primarily undergraduate institution, or 1 2-year IHE. 
 
Specifies the program goals that proposals funded under this section shall seek to achieve. 
 
Prohibits the use of funds under this section for the construction or renovation of buildings and structures. 
 
(Sec. 228) Generating Extraordinary New Innovations in the United States Act of 2010 - Requires the Director to carry out a pilot program to award innovation inducement cash prizes in any area of research supported by NSF. Authorizes the Director to carry out such program only in conformity with this section. 
 
Provides guidelines for identifying topics for prize competitions to be held under such program. 
 
Sets forth provisions with regard to the types of contests, advertising and announcements, funding, and eligibility for prizes competitions under this section. Requires individuals and entities, to be eligible to win a prize, to have not utilized federal funds to engage in research on the topic for which such prize is being awarded. 
 
Authorizes the Director to: (1) announce up to 5 prize competitions through FY2013; (2) set the amount of each prize award based on the prize topic, but prohibits the amount of any award from being less than $1 million or greater than $3 million; and (3) convene an expert panel to select the winners of prize competitions. 
 
Allows the Director to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer a prize competition. 
 
Requires the National Science Board to transmit to Congress a report containing the results of a review and assessment of the pilot program. 
 
Requires early termination of a prize contest before any registered participant wins if an unregistered entity has produced an innovation that would otherwise have qualified for the prize award. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to the Director to carry out the pilot program with a limit of not more than 15% per fiscal year to be made available for administrative costs. Permits the carryover of funds appropriated for prize awards for other purposes authorized by law. Bars any provision in this section from permitting the obligation or payment of funds in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act. 
 
(Sec. 229) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should coordinate and collaborate with other federal agencies, including the Office of Science, in its planning for the construction and stewardship of large facilities to ensure that joint investments may be made when practicable. Urges NSF to ensure that it responds to recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and working groups convened by the National Science and Technology Council regarding such facilities and opportunities for partnership with other agencies in their design and construction. 
 
(Sec. 230) Requires the Director to establish a green chemistry basic research program to support research into green and sustainable chemistry. 
 

Subtitle C: STEM Education and Workforce Training 
- (Sec. 241) Requires the Director to increase or, if necessary, decrease funding for NSF's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (or any program by which it is replaced) by at least the same rate as funding for the Graduate Research Fellowship program is increased or decreased. 
 
Requires, for FY2011-FY2015, that at least half of the total NSF funds allocated to such programs be provided from funds appropriated for research and related activities. 
 
 Requires the Director to set the amount to be awarded in each year for certain NSF scholarships and graduate fellowships in the sciences and engineering and requires each scholarship or fellowship to include an education allowance of $12,000. 
 
(Sec. 242) Requires the Director of NSF to establish postdoctoral fellowships in STEM education research to provide eligible recent doctoral degree graduates in STEM fields with the necessary skills to assume leadership roles in STEM education research, program development, and evaluation. 
 
Requires the Director to determine the amount of the award for a fellowship. 
 
Instructs that fellowships be awarded for research at any IHEs that offer degrees in fields supported by NSF, or at any institutions or organizations that are eligible for education research grants from NSF. 
 
Authorizes the Director to award up to 20 fellowships per year, including for STEM education research at any educational level. 
 
(Sec. 243) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to revise the matching funds requirement for eligible entities receiving grants for NSF Teaching Fellowships or Master Teaching Fellowships under the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. Requires such entities to provide from non-federal sources to carry out activities supported by a grant: (1) at least 30% of a grant under $1.5 million; and (2) at least half of a grant of $1.5 million or more. Requires at least 1/2 of such non-federal match to be provided in cash. 
 
Makes Teaching Fellowships and Master Teaching Fellowships available to retiring professionals in STEM fields. 
 
(Sec. 244) Declares that IHEs serving large numbers of students with disabilities, including Gallaudet University, Landmark College, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, shall have a designation consistent with other institutions that serve populations underrepresented in STEM to ensure that IHEs serving disabled persons can benefit from STEM bridge programs and from research partnerships with major research universities. 
 
(Sec. 245) Requires the Director to award grants for the institutional integration of NSF-funded projects which focus on education or broadening participation in STEM by underrepresented groups.
 
Gives priority to proposals for which a senior institutional administrator serves as the principal investigator. 
 
(Sec. 246) Requires the Director to establish a NSF-wide postdoctoral research fellowship program for the award of postdoctoral research fellowships in any field of research supported by NSF. 
 
Gives priority to applications which include proposals for interdisciplinary or high-risk, high-reward research.
 
Requires the Director, in evaluating fellowship applications, to give consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
 
(Sec. 247) Requires the Director to provide education and training to: (1) NSF staff and grant proposal review panels on mechanisms and tools to broaden participation in STEM by underrepresented groups; and (2) NSF staff on related outreach approaches. 
 
(Sec. 248) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to make changes to the program requiring the Director to award grants to IHEs (or their consortia) to reform undergraduate STEM education for the purpose of increasing the number and quality of students studying toward completing baccalaureate degrees in STEM and improving STEM learning outcomes for all undergraduate students, including through: (1) implementation of innovative, research-based reforms in undergraduate STEM education; and (2) expansion of successful STEM reforms beyond a single course or courses to an entire academic unit, or expansion beyond a single academic unit to other STEM academic units within an institution or to comparable academic units at other institutions. 
 
Expands grant uses to allow their use in: (1) creating multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary STEM courses or programs; (2) expanding undergraduate STEM research opportunities to include interdisciplinary research and research in industry, at federal labs, and at IHEs or research sites; (3) implementing or expanding bridge, cohort, tutoring, or mentoring programs that enhance student recruitment or persistence; (4) implementing STEM faculty and graduate teaching assistant development programs; (5) supporting the participation of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in instructional or assessment activities at primarily undergraduate IHEs; (6) researching STEM teaching and learning at the undergraduate level related to the proposed reform effort; and (7) support for initiatives that advance the integration of global challenges such as sustainability into disciplinary and interdisciplinary STEM education. 
 
Permits IHEs to partner with one or more other nonprofit education or research organizations, including scientific and engineering societies, to carry out the activities authorized under this section. 
 
Gives priority, among proposals that expand existing reform efforts beyond a single academic unit, to proposals for which a senior institutional administrator serves as the principal investigator. 
 
(Sec. 249) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs for the implementation or expansion of research-based reforms in master's and doctoral level STEM education that emphasizes preparation for diverse careers utilizing STEM degrees, including at IHEs, in industry, and at government agencies and research laboratories. Describes the activities that may be supported by grants awarded under this section. 
 
Permits an IHE to partner with one or more other nonprofit education or research organizations, including scientific and engineering societies, to carry out the activities authorized under this section. 
 
Repeals provisions under the America COMPETES Act relating to professional science master's degree programs.
 
(Sec. 250) Continues support of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program, and the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program as separate programs at least through September 30, 2011. 
 
Requires the Director, before any realignment or consolidation of such programs, in addition to the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Undergraduate Program, to develop a plan clarifying the objectives and rationale for such changes, including a description of how they would: (1) meet or strengthen the goal of separate programs to increase the number of individuals from underrepresented groups who attain undergraduate STEM degrees; and (2) address the unique needs of minority serving institutions and underrepresented groups currently provided for by the separate programs. 
 
Instructs the Director, in developing the plan, to: (1) consider recommendations and findings of the NAS report on barriers to increasing diversity in STEM fields as required under the America COMPETES Act; and (2) solicit recommendations and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. 
 
Requires transmission of such plan to Congress at least three months prior to the implementation of any realignment or consolidation of such programs. 
 
(Sec. 251) Requires the Director and the Secretary of Education to collaborate, in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to: (1) identify, prioritize, and develop strategies for addressing grand challenges in research and development on the teaching and learning of STEM at the pre-K-12 level for diverse learning populations; and (2) carry out research and development to address identified challenges and ensure dissemination of the results. 
 
Specifies the topics the Director and such Secretary are to consider in identifying such grand challenges, including research: (1) that utilizes a systems approach which includes development of model systems that support improved teaching and learning of STEM across entire school districts and states, and encompassing and integrating STEM in formal and informal venues, and in K-12 schools and IHEs; and (2) on what makes a STEM teacher effective and pre-service and in-service STEM teacher training and professional development effective. 
 
Requires the Director and such Secretary to report back to Congress, including on: (1) the grand challenges identified; (2) the role of agencies in supporting research and development activities to address the grand challenges; (3) how agencies will disseminate the results of research and development activities carried out; and (4) how agencies will support implementation of the best practices identified by the research and development activities. 
 
(Sec. 252) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs, nonprofits, or their consortia for sites designated by the Director to provide research experiences for six or more undergraduate STEM students for sites designated at primarily undergraduate IHEs and ten or more undergraduate STEM students for all other sites. Provides for students participating in each program funded by a grant under this section to have mentors. 
 
Requires NSF research grant recipients that propose to include one or more students enrolled in certificate, associate, or baccalaureate degree programs in carrying out the research to request support for such students as part of the research proposal itself rather than as a supplement to it. 
 
(Sec. 253) Repeals the provision under the America COMPETES Act providing for the termination of the Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science pilot program. 
 
(Sec. 254) Authorizes the award of grants to IHEs or their consortia for the establishment or expansion of partnerships with local or regional private sector entities to provide undergraduate students with private sector internship experiences that connect with their STEM coursework. Permits the inclusion of industry or professional associations in such partnerships. 
 
Gives priority to IHEs or their consortia that demonstrate significant outreach to and coordination with such entities in the development of courses designed to provide students with the skills necessary for employment in local or regional companies. 
 
Requires NSF to conduct outreach to IHEs and private sector entities in rural areas to encourage them to participate in such partnerships. 
 
Requires a 50% non-federal cost-share from established or expanded partnerships. 
 
Prohibits the use of any federal funds under this section to provide stipends or compensation to students for private sector internships or as payment or reimbursement to private sector entities, except for IHEs. 
 
Requires the Director to submit a specified report to Congress concerning such awards. 
 
(Sec. 255) Continues support of a program for awarding grants to tribal colleges and universities to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of Native American students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in STEM. 
 
Specifies that such grants shall support: (1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in STEM; (2) faculty development; and (3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in research. 
 
Permits the use of funding provided under this section for instrumentation. 
 
(Sec. 256) Requires the Director to identify ways of using cyber-enabled learning to create an innovative STEM workforce and to help retrain and retain our existing STEM workforce to address national challenges, including national security and competitiveness. 
 
(Sec. 257) Expresses the sense of Congress that retaining graduate talent trained at American universities in STEM fields is critical to enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses. 
 

Title III: STEM Education 
- (Sec. 301) STEM Education Coordination Act of 2010 - Requires the Director of OSTP to establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of coordinating federal programs and activities in support of STEM education, including at NSF, DOE, NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Education, and all other federal agencies that have programs and activities in support of STEM education. 
 
Directs such committee to: (1) develop, implement, and update once every five years, a five-year STEM education strategic plan which shall specify and prioritize annual and long-term objectives (2) describe the approaches that will be taken by the each participating agency to increase participation of underrepresented minority groups in STEM studies and careers; (3) describe the approaches that will be taken by each agency to conduct outreach designed to promote widespread public understanding of career opportunities in STEM fields specific to each agency's workforce needs; (4) establish, periodically update, and maintain an inventory of federally sponsored STEM education programs and activities, including documentation of assessments of the effectiveness of such programs and activities and rates of participation by underrepresented minorities; and (5) establish a publicly accessible online database of federally sponsored STEM education programs and activities. 
 
 Instructs the Director to encourage and monitor the efforts of participating agencies to ensure that the STEM education strategic plan is developed and executed effectively and that plan objectives are met. 
 
Requires the Director to annually report to Congress on the STEM education strategic plan. 
 
(Sec. 302) Directs the President to establish or designate an advisory committee on STEM education. 
 
Specifies that the advisory committee's responsibilities include: (1) soliciting input from specified public and private STEM education stakeholder groups to inform federal agencies that support STEM education programs on the needs of states and school districts, including the unique needs of schools in rural areas; (2) soliciting input from all such groups, including through the interagency committee, regarding STEM education programs supported by federal agencies; (3) providing advice to such agencies, including through such committee, that support STEM education programs on how their program can be better aligned with the needs of states and school districts; (4) offering guidance to the President on current STEM education activities, research findings, and best practices to increase connectivity between public and private STEM education efforts; (5) facilitating improved coordination between federally supported STEM education programs and activities and state level activities, including the efforts of P-16 and P-20 councils in the states; and (6) advising federal agencies on how their STEM technical training and education programs can be better aligned with states' and regions' workforce needs.
 
(Sec. 303) Amends the America COMPETES Act and Subpart B of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to define &quot;energy systems science and engineering.&quot; 
 
Amends Subpart B of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to revise the definition of &quot;Director&quot; to mean the appointment of designation of a Director of STEM Education under this section. 
 
Repeals chapters 1,2, 3, 4, and 6 of such Act with regard to: (1) the pilot grant program to help states establish or expand public, statewide specialty schools for science and mathematics; (2) a summer internship program to provide experiential-based learning opportunities at the national laboratories; (3) a program to support national laboratories' Centers of Excellence in STEM education; (4) establishment or expansion of summer institutes at the national laboratories; and (5) a mentoring program for women and underrepresented minorities interested in science, engineering, and mathematics careers. 
 
Directs the Secretary of DOE to conduct and coordinate educational activities that leverage DOE's unique content expertise and facilities to contribute toward improvement of STEM education at all levels and to enhance awareness and understanding of STEM, including energy sciences, in order to create a diverse skilled scientific and technical workforce. 
 
Requires the Secretary to carry out evidence-based programs designed to increase student interest and participation (including by women and underrepresented minority students), improve public literacy and support, and improve teaching and learning of energy systems science and engineering and other STEM disciplines supported by DOE. Authorizes such programs to include: (1) grants for IHEs to establish or expand degree programs or courses in energy systems science and engineering; and (2) professional training for energy auditors, field technicians, and building contractors in the areas of building energy retrofits and audits or related renewable energy technology installations. 
 
Requires the appointment or designation of a Director of STEM Education to oversee and coordinate all DOE programs and activities in support of STEM education. 
 
Requires the Director of STEM education to implement and update a three-year STEM education strategic plan for DOE which identifies and prioritizes annual and long-term STEM education goals and objectives for DOE that are aligned with the overall goals of the National Science and Technology Council Committee's STEM Education Strategic plan required under section 301. 
 
Instructs the Secretary to give consideration to the goal of promoting the participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in carrying out a program authorized under this section. 
 
Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to require, under a program for making technology, engineering, and mathematics education resources related to the energy and science mission of DOE available to teachers and K-12 students, that: (1) resources be made available through a publicly available website; (2) project-based learning opportunities be made available to teachers and students; and (3) required materials and other resources include instruction related to energy systems science and engineering. Repeals the authorization of appropriations for carrying out such program. 
 
Amends the America COMPETES Act to repeal the nuclear science talent expansion program and the hydrocarbon systems science talent expansion program. 
 
Directs the Secretary to award grants to IHEs for the implementation or expansion of energy systems science and engineering educational and technical training capabilities and to provide financial support for master's and doctoral students pursuing study and research of such STEM discipline. Allows grant recipients to use their grants to pursue opportunities for collaboration with industry and national laboratories. Gives priority to proposals involving partnerships with a national laboratory or other energy systems science and engineering related entity. Makes an IHE that receives a grant eligible for up to $1 million each year of the grant period. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015. 
 
Amends the America COMPETES Act to transfer authority from the Director of the Office of Science to the Secretary to carry out a program for awarding early career grant awards to eligible science, engineering, and mathematics researchers. 
 
Sets a per-year limit on the amount of a grant awarded under the program. Increases the maximum grant amount that can be awarded. 
 
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for carrying out such program. 
 
Modifies certain requirements regarding the selection of eligible students to be awarded fellowships under the Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Graduate Fellowship Program. Requires fellowships awarded under the Program to cover tuition at an IHE offering a doctoral degree in a field relevant to a DOE mission area. Repeals the authorization of appropriations for carrying out such Program. 
 
Repeals provisions under the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act relating to certain science, mathematics, and engineering education programs. 
 
(Sec. 304) Green Energy Education Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out DOE research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, to contribute energy research and development funds to NSF for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program to support graduate education related to such activities. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to contribute funds for advanced energy technology research and development for high performance buildings to NSF for curriculum development to improve undergraduate or graduate interdisciplinary engineering and architecture education related to the design and construction of such buildings. 
 
Gives priority to applications from departments, programs, or centers of a school of engineering that are partnered with schools, departments, or programs of design, architecture, landscape architecture, and city, regional, or urban planning. 
 
(Sec. 305) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) we must improve the quality of STEM education in the nation to maintain our competitiveness; and (2) the incorporation of engineering education at the elementary and secondary school levels has the potential of improving student learning and achievement in science and mathematics and of increasing the technological literacy of all students. Urges formal and informal educational providers to integrate engineering design principles into their curriculum. 
 
(Sec. 306) Expresses the sense of Congress that, if more than one applicant is competing for the same grant for a STEM education program or activity authorized under this Act, and their applications are considered equal in merit by the grant-awarding authority, that authority shall give additional consideration as to whether an applicant has not previously received funding and/or is an IHE in a rural area. 
 
(Sec. 307) Directs OSTP to enter into a contract with NAS to evaluate: (1) the role of two-year IHEs as STEM educators, including in the preparation of students for direct entry into the STEM workforce and for transition into four-year STEM degree programs; as well as (2) the role of the federal government in helping two-year IHEs build their capacity to be effective STEM educators.
 
(Sec. 308) Requires the Director of OSTP to develop a policy to: (1) increase volunteerism in STEM education activities by encouraging scientists and engineers from federal science agencies conducting nonmilitary scientific research and development to volunteer in such activities; and (2) support increased communication and partnerships between scientists and engineers from such agencies and elementary and secondary schools and teachers through such volunteerism. 
 

 Title IV: National Institute of Standards and Technology 
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 402) National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for: (1) scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities; (2) facilities construction and maintenance; and (3) industrial technology services activities, including the Technology Innovation Program (TIP), Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP), and Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program. 
 
(Sec. 403) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish in the Department of Commerce an Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. 
 
Requires the Under Secretary to serve as the Director of NIST and to perform such duties as required of a Director under such Act or by law. 
 
(Sec. 404) Requires the Director to reorganize the scientific and technical research and services laboratory program into the following separate operational units: (1) the Physical Measurement Laboratory; (2) the Information Technology Laboratory; (3) the Engineering Laboratory; (4) the Material Measurement Laboratory; (5) the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology; and (6) the NIST Center for Neutron Research. Describes the missions of those units.
 
Allows, subsequent to such reorganization, the revision of the organization of the scientific and technical research and services laboratory program. Requires any revision to the organization of such program to be submitted in a report to Congress at least 60 days prior to the effective date of such revision. 
 
(Sec. 405) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) promote collaboration among federal departments and agencies and private sector stakeholders in the development and implementation of standards and conformity assessment frameworks to address federal government policy goals; (2) convene federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, to coordinate and determine the government's positions on specific policy issues related to the development of international technical standards and conformity assessment-related activities; and (3) coordinate federal agency engagement in the development of such standards and activities. 
 
Requires the Director to submit annual reports to Congress addressing the federal government's technical standards and conformity assessment-related activities. 
 
(Sec. 406) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (the Act) to make it an objective of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. Manufacturing through providing community colleges with information about the job skills needed in small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the regions in which they serve. 
 
Requires the Director to establish, within the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, an innovative services initiative to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers in: (1) reducing their energy usage and environmental waste to improve profitability; and (2) accelerating the domestic commercialization of new product technologies, including components for renewable energy systems. Bars the Director from undertaking any activities to accelerate such commercialization of a new product technology unless an analysis of market demand for the new technology has been conducted. Requires the Director to include, in the three-year programmatic planning document and annual updates of such document submitted under the Act, an assessment of the Director's governance of the Program. Bars the Secretary, for FY2011-FY2015, from: (1) providing to a Center more than half of the costs incurred by it; and (2) requiring that a Center's cost share exceed half of such costs. Requires the Secretary to report on cost share requirements under the Program. 
 
Makes provisions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act for the termination, renewal, or continuation of federal advisory committees non-applicable to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board. 
 
 Requires the Director to: (1) evaluate the obstacles that are unique to small manufacturers which prevent them from effectively competing in the global market; (2) implement a comprehensive plan to train the Centers to address such obstacles; and (3) facilitate improved communication between the Centers to assist such manufacturers in the implementation of targeted solutions. 
 
 (Sec. 407) Requires the Director to establish a research initiative to support development of emergency communication and tracking technology for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces, such as underground mines, and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures where conventional radio communication is limited. 
 
Requires NIST to work with the private sector and federal agencies to perform a needs assessment that: (1) identifies and evaluates the measurement, technical standards, and conformity assessment needs required to improve the operation and reliability of such emergency communication and tracking technologies; (2) supports the development of technical standards and conformance architecture to improve such operation and reliability of such communication and technologies; and (3) incorporates and builds upon existing reports and studies on improving emergency communications. 
 
Requires the Director to submit to Congress and make publicly available a report which describes such assessment and makes recommendations about research priorities to address gaps in the needs identified by the assessment. 
 
 (Sec. 408) Makes provisions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act for the termination, renewal, or continuation of federal advisory committees non-applicable to the TIP (Technology Innovation Program) Advisory Board. 
 
 (Sec. 409) Requires the Director to promote the participation of underrepresented minorities in research areas supported by NIST in evaluating applications: (1) for research fellowships and other financial assistance for students at IHEs in the United States showing promise as contributors to NIST's mission and for U.S. citizens for research and technical activities on NIST programs; and (2) under a certain post-doctoral fellowships program. 
 
Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require that special consideration be given to applications under the teacher science and technology enhancement program from teachers teaching in high-need schools. 
 
 (Sec. 410) Declares that cyber security standards and guidelines developed by NIST for use by U.S. industry and the public shall be voluntary. 
 
(Sec. 411) Requires the Director to carry out a nanomaterial research initiative, including development of data to support the correlation of physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials to any environmental, safety, or other risks. 
 
(Sec. 412) Requires the Director to carry out a disaster resilient buildings and infrastructure program, and as part of the program to: (1) develop the capability of testing real-scale structures under realistic fire and structural loading conditions; (2) assist in the validation of predictive models by developing a database on the performance of large-scale structures under such conditions; and (3) develop a database on the performance of the built environment during natural and man-made hazard events. 
 
(Sec. 413) Requires the Director to report to Congress on the use of high-performance computational modeling and simulation by small- and medium-sized manufacturers. Requires the report to include recommendations for addressing any barriers or challenges to the use of such modeling and simulation and, if appropriate, suggestions for action that the federal government may take to foster the development and utilization of high-performance computing resources by such manufacturers. 
 
(Sec. 414) Requires the Director to carry out: (1) a green manufacturing and construction initiative; and (2) a transformational manufacturing research program. 
 

Title V: Innovation 
- (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to foster the innovation and commercialization of new technologies, products, processes, and services to promote productivity and economic growth in the United States. 
 
Makes it the responsibility of the Office to: (1) develop policies to accelerate innovation and advance commercialization of research and development, including federally funded research and development; (2) identify existing barriers to innovation and commercialization; (3) provide access to relevant data, research, and technical assistance on innovation and commercialization; and (4) strengthen collaboration on policies related to innovation and commercialization, including those focused on the needs of small businesses and rural communities, within the Commerce Department and between the Department and other federal agencies, as appropriate. 
 
Creates an Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to advise the Secretary respecting the Office's responsibilities. 
 
(Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide loan guarantees for obligations to borrowers who are small- or medium-sized manufacturers for projects that use or produce innovative technologies. 
 
Allows loan guarantees to be made only for projects that re-equip, expand, or establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to: (1) use an innovative technology or an innovative process in manufacturing; or (2) manufacture an innovative technology product or an integral component of that product. 
 
Limits the amount of a loan guarantee to 80% of the obligation. 
 
Sets forth requirements regarding defaults on obligations. Grants the holder of the loan guarantee the right to demand payment of the unpaid amount from the Secretary. 
 
Requires payment of the unpaid interest and principal of the obligation by the Secretary to the holder of the loan guarantee within such period as may be specified in the guarantee or related agreements, unless the Secretary finds there was no default by the borrower or that the default has been remedied. Requires, if the Secretary makes such a payment, the Secretary to be subrogated to the rights of the recipient of the payment or related agreements, including, if appropriate, the authority to: (1) complete, maintain, operate, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired pursuant to such guarantee or agreement; or (2) permit the borrower to continue pursuing the project's purposes, if such an agreement is in the public interest. 
 
Requires the Secretary to notify the Attorney General if a borrower defaults on an obligation. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract to pay the holders of any obligation guaranteed under the program for, and on behalf of the borrower, the principal and interest payments that become due and payable on the unpaid balance, if the borrower is unable to make the payments and is not in default and other specified conditions are met. 
 
Sets forth requirements regarding the terms and conditions, fees, and records respecting loan guarantees made under this section. Requires the Secretary to consider the amount of an obligation in charging and collecting fees.
 
Requires: (1) the Secretary to enter into an arrangement with an independent auditor for annual evaluations of the program; (2) a biennial review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the Secretary's execution of the program; and (3) submission directly to Congress of such independent audit and annual reviews. 
 
Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress summarizing all of the activities carried out under the program. 
 
Permits the use of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to provide information about the program and to conduct outreach to potential borrowers. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that no loan guarantees be made under this section unless the borrower agrees to use a federally-approved employment eligibility verification system with respect to: (1) persons hired during the contract term to perform employment duties in the United States; and (2) persons assigned to perform work in the United States on the project. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to: (1) provide the cost of the loan guarantees; and (2) carry out the authority of the Secretary to enter into a contract to make payments on behalf of a borrower as described above. 
 
(Sec. 503) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to establish a regional innovation program to encourage and support the development of regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible recipients for activities related to the development of regional innovation clusters. 
 
Sets forth permissible activities for which awarded grants may be used, including for: (1) facilitating market development of products and services developed by a regional innovation cluster; and (2) interacting with the public and state and local governments to meet the goals of a cluster. 
 
Gives special consideration to: (1) applications from regions containing communities negatively impacted by trade; and (2) eligible recipients who agree to collaborate with local workforce investment area boards. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from providing more than half of the total cost share of any activity funded under this section. 
 
Establishes a regional innovation research and information program to: (1) gather, analyze, and disseminate information on best practices for regional innovation strategies; (2) provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of such strategies; and (3) collect and make available data on regional innovation clusters. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award research grants to support program goals.
 
Requires the dissemination of data and analysis compiled under the program to other federal agencies, state and local governments, and nonprofit and for-profit entities. 
 
Incorporates data and analysis related to any regional innovation cluster supported by a grant under the program. 
 
Instructs the Secretary to pursue collaboration with other federal agencies on regional innovation strategies, ensuring that such collaboration prioritizes the needs and challenges of small businesses. 
 
Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent entity, such as NAS, to conduct an evaluation of the program, which shall include a recommendation as to whether such program should be continued or terminated. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to carry out such programs, including for such evaluation. 
 
Defines &quot;regional innovation cluster.&quot; 
 
 (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretary of DOE to establish a Clean Energy Consortium to enhance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by promoting the commercial application of clean energy technology and ensuring that the United States maintains a technological lead in the development and application of state-the-art energy technologies. 
 
Requires the Consortium to support translational research activities leading to commercial application of clean energy technologies by issuing awards for clean energy technology projects managed by qualifying and other entities, including national laboratories. 
 
Requires the Consortium to establish conflict of interest procedures.
 
Sets forth requirements for the distribution of awards by the Consortium, with at least half of such awards to go to projects related to the Consortium's clean energy technology development focus. 
 
Requires the Consortium to establish an External Advisory Committee to review the Consortium's proposed plans, programs, project selection criteria, and projects, and to ensure that projects selected for awards meet the Consortium's conflict of interest procedures. Authorizes the Secretary to disqualify an application or revoke funds distributed to the Consortium if there has been a failure in complying with such conflict of interest procedures. 
 
Directs the Secretary to award a grant to one regional Consortium for a three-year term exclusively to support awards for Consortium projects. Prohibits the use of the grant for the construction of new buildings or facilities. Bars considering such construction as part of the non-federal share of a cost sharing agreement under this section.
 

 
Gives the Secretary authority to review awards and revoke them if the Consortium has used them in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of this Act. 
 

Title VI: Department of Energy 
- 
Subtitle A: Office of Science 
- Department of Energy Office of Science Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 603) Declares that the mission of the DOE Office of Science shall be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and major scientific tools to transform the understanding of nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. 
 
Directs the Secretary of DOE to carry out, through the Office of Science, programs on basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, advanced scientific computing research, fusion energy sciences, high energy physics, and nuclear physics through activities focused on: (1) the study of the subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules that compose our world from DNA to entire biological systems; (2) advancing a clean energy agenda and our understanding of the Earth's climate; and (3) national scientific user facilities to deliver 21st century science, engineering, and technological tools and provide the nation's researchers with the most advanced tools for studying the nanoworld. 
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Science to develop a plan to increase the percentage of domestically sourced hardware for planned and ongoing projects of the Office. Instructs the Director, under such plan, to: (1) give consideration to technologies that the United States does not currently have the capacity to manufacture and to procurement activities that can strengthen U.S. high-technology competitiveness; (2) seek engagement with domestic manufacturers; and (3) annually assess levels of domestically available goods relevant to such projects of the Office. Requires transmission of such plan and any appropriate updates to Congress. 
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the degree to which current research activities are competitive and merit-reviewed. 
 
(Sec. 604) Requires the Director to: (1) carry out a basic energy sciences program to provide scientific foundations for new energy technologies; and (2) support construction of the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a Second Target Station at the Spallation Neutron Source, and an upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source to improve brightness and performance. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out a grant program to provide awards to multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs related to needs identified in: (1) the Grand Challenges report; (2) the Basic Energy Sciences Basic Research Needs workshop reports; (3) energy-related Grand Challenges for Engineering; or (3) other relevant reports identified by the Director. 
 
Prohibits using funds under this section for the construction of new buildings or facilities. 
 
Requires the Director, in consultation with the Office of Science's High Energy Physics and Nuclear Physics programs, to carry out research and development on advanced accelerator technologies relevant to the development of Basic Energy Sciences user facilities. 
 
(Sec. 605) Requires the Director to carry out a biological systems science and climate and environmental science research program to support DOE energy and environmental missions. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research and development in biological systems science to increase systems-level understanding of complex biological systems, including activities to: (1) improve understanding of the global carbon cycle, including processes for removing carbon from the atmosphere; and (2) understand the biological mechanisms used to destroy, immobilize, or remove contaminants from subsurface environments. Requires the Director to transmit to Congress a research plan and updates describing how activities authorized under the program will be undertaken. Requires DOE to support bioenergy research centers in the acceleration of basic biological research and development and commercial application of biomass-based liquid transportation fuels, bioenergy, and biobased products that support DOE energy and environmental missions and are produced from regionally diverse feedstocks. 
 
Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan of federally supported research and development activities to support the energy and environmental missions of DOE and to enable a synthetic biology industry in the United States. Requires the plan to assess the need for the creation of a database for synthetic biology information. 
 
Requires the Director, in collaboration with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program established in section 606, to: (1) carry out research in computational biology; (2) acquire or otherwise ensure availability of hardware for biology-specific computation; and (3) establish an open virtual database and information management system.
 
Makes it unlawful to conduct of biomedical research under the biological systems science activities described above. Prohibits anything in this section from: (1) authorizing the conduct of any research or demonstrations on human cells or subjects or designed to have direct application to such cells or subjects; and (2) restricting DOE from sharing research findings, research methodologies, models, or any other information with any federal agency. 
 
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the DOE systems biology program. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out climate and environmental science research, which shall include: (1) observation and modeling of the response of the Earth's atmosphere and biosphere, including oceans and the Great Lakes, to increased concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions, and associated changes in climate; (2) understanding the processes for sequestration, destruction, immobilization, or removal of, and understanding of the movement of, contaminants and carbon in subsurface environments; and (3) informing potential mitigation and adaptation options for increased concentrations of such emissions and changes. 
 
Requires the Director, in collaboration with other relevant agencies that are participants in the United States Global Change Research Program, to carry out the selection and development of a next-generation ecosystem-climate change experiment and to report to Congress.
 
Requires the Director to carry out research and coordinate the AmeriFlux Network to observe the exchange of greenhouse gases, water vapor, and heat energy within terrestrial ecosystems and the response of those systems to climate change and other terrestrial landscape changes, including by: (1) identifying opportunities to incorporate innovative and emerging observation technologies and practices into the Network; (2) conducting research to determine the need for increased greenhouse gas observation Network facilities across North America to meet future U.S. mitigation and adaptation needs; and (3) examining how such technologies and practices and increased coordination among scientific communities have the potential to help characterize terrestrial baseline greenhouse gas emission sources and sinks in the United States and internationally. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research for the development and use of high-resolution climate, Earth, and predictive models to inform decisions on reducing impacts of changing climate. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research into options for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and to coordinate such activities with other Office of Science activities and with the Global Change Research Program. 
 
(Sec. 606) Requires the Director to carry out a research and development and commercial application program to advance computational and networking capabilities for analyzing, modeling, simulating, and predicting complex phenomena relevant to the development of new energy technologies and U.S. competitiveness. 
 
Requires the program to support research in high-performance computing and networking relevant to energy applications. 
 
Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a plan for the integration and leverage of the expertise of the program, as well as other computational and networking research programs and resources supported by the federal government to advance the missions of Doe's applied energy and energy efficiency programs, including the development of smart grid technologies. 
 
Requires the Secretary, at least 18 months before initiating the construction or installation of any exascale-class computing facility, to transmit a plan to Congress which includes an assessment of the scientific and technological advances expected from such a facility relative to those expected from an investment in expanded research at terrascale-class and petascale-class computing facilities. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out activities for development, testing, and support of mathematics, models, and algorithms for complex systems as well as programming environments, tools, languages, and operating systems for high-end computing systems. 
 
Requires the Director to: (1) provide for sustained access by the public and private research community in the United States to high-end computing systems, including access to the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center and to Leadership Systems (as defined under the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004); and (2) conduct research and development on next-generation computing architectures and platforms to support DOE missions. 
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach programs and allows the Secretary to form partnerships to increase use and access to high-performance computing modeling and simulation by industry, including manufacturers. 
 
(Sec. 607) Directs the Secretary to carry out a fusion energy research and technology development program to address the scientific and engineering challenges in building a cost-competitive fusion power plant and a competitive fusion power industry in the United States. Requires the Director, as part of such program, to carry out research to expand the fundamental understanding of plasmas and matter at very high temperatures and densities. 
 
Requires the Director to coordinate and carry out U.S. responsibilities respecting the ITER international fusion project pursuant to the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project. 
 
Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a report on Doe's proposed research and development activities in magnetic fusion over a ten-year period and under four budget scenarios to identify: (1) areas of fusion energy research and technology development in which the United States can and should establish or solidify a lead in the global fusion energy development effort; and (2) priorities for initiation of facility construction and decommissioning. 
 
Requires the Director, in coordination with the DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, to carry out research and development activities for the creation of materials that can endure the neutron, plasma, and heat fluxes expected in a commercial fusion power plant. 
 
Requires the Secretary as part of Doe's proposed research and development activities in magnetic fusion, to provide an assessment of: (1) the need for a facility or facilities that can examine and test potential fusion and next generation fission materials and other technologies relevant to the development of commercial fusion power plants; and (2) whether a single new facility that substantially addresses magnetic fusion, inertial fusion, and next generation fission materials research needs is feasible. 
 
Requires the Secretary to develop the technologies necessary to enable reliable, sustainable, safe, and economically competitive operation of a commercial fusion power plant. 
 
Requires the Director, in collaboration with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program under section 606, to carry out a computational project to advance the capability of fusion researchers to simulate an entire fusion energy system. 
 
Directs the Secretary to carry out an inertial fusion research and development program for energy applications, including for ion beam and laser fusion. Requires the Secretary to transmit, within 180 days after the release of a report from NAS on inertial fusion energy research, a report to Congress on Doe's plan for incorporating any relevant recommendations from the NAS report into such program. 
 
(Sec. 608) Requires the Director to carry out a high energy physics program on the elementary constituents of matter and energy and the nature of space and time. 
 
Requires research to be carried out on the rare decay processes and the nature of the neutrino which may include collaborations with NSF on relevant projects and utilization of components of accelerator facilities to produce neutrino beams in order to explore research priorities identified by the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel or NAS. 
 
Requires research to be carried out on the nature of dark energy and dark matter, the activities of which may include: (1) the development of space-based and land-based facilities and experiments; and (2) collaborations with NASA, NSF, or international collaborations on relevant research projects. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out research and development in advanced accelerator concepts and technologies in order to reduce the scope and cost for the next generation of particle accelerators.
 
Requires the Director to ensure the access of U.S. researchers to the most advanced accelerator facilities and research capabilities in the world, including the Large Hadron Collider. 
 
(Sec. 609) Requires the Director to carry out a nuclear physics research program, and support relevant facilities, to discover and understand various forms of nuclear matter. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out: (1) an upgrade of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility to a 12 gigaelectronvolt beam of electrons; and (2) construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. 
 
Requires the Director to carry out a program for the production of isotopes, including the development of techniques to produce isotopes that are needed for research, excluding medical research. 
 
(Sec. 610) Requires the Director to carry out a program to improve the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. Includes as projects under such program the construction of modern facilities to conduct advanced research in controlled environmental conditions. Permits the Secretary to carry out minor construction projects respecting laboratories administered by the Office of Science. Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on each use of such authority, including a summary of maintenance and infrastructure needs and associated funding requirements at each of the laboratories. 
 
Requires submission of a cost variation report to Congress if the revised cost of any minor construction project exceeds the &quot;minor construction threshold&quot; ($10 million). Makes provisions under the Atomic Energy Defense Act relating to certain national security construction projects of DOE, including minor construction projects, non-applicable to laboratories administered by the Office of Science. 
 
(Sec. 611) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Secretary for activities of the Office of Science for basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, and advanced scientific computing research. 
 

 Subtitle B: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy 
- ARPA-E Reauthorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 622) Amends the America COMPETES Act to instruct the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the Department of Energy (DOE) to achieve the goals of ARPA-E through energy technology projects which: (1) identify and promote revolutionary advances in applied sciences; and (2) promote the commercial application of advanced energy technologies. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of the Director of ARPA-E: (1) the research and development of advanced manufacturing process and technologies for the domestic manufacturing of novel energy technologies; and (2) with respect to achieving ARPA-E goals through energy technology projects by accelerating transformational technological advances in areas that industry is not likely to undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty, ensuring that applications for funding disclose the extent of current and prior efforts in pursuit of the technology area for which funding is being requested, adopting measures to ensure that program managers adhere to the objectives of accelerating such technological advances in such areas in making awards under this section, and providing a summary in the annual report of the instances and reasons for ARPA-E funding projects in technology areas already being undertaken by industry. 
 
 Authorizes the Director to make awards through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, cash prizes, and other transactions to carry out ARPA-E. Requires the Director to make awards designed to overcome the long-term and high-risk barriers related to the goals and means of ARPA-E and to facilitate submissions, where possible, by small businesses and entrepreneurs pursuant to announcements of funding opportunities for: (1) specific areas of technology innovation; and (2) broadly defined areas of science and technology. 
 
 Requires the Director to establish within ARPA-E a staff to enable ARPA-E to carry out its responsibilities in conjunction with the operations of the rest of DOE. 
 
Requires the Director to designate ARPA-E employees to serve as program directors (under current law, as program managers). Eliminates the requirement that energy technology projects to be supported under a program established within ARPA-E shall be selected with advice from certain advisory committees, as appropriate. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of program directors the identification of: (1) innovative cost-sharing arrangements for ARPA-E projects, including through use of the authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for reducing or eliminating the 20% non-federal cost share requirement with respect to a research and development activity of an applied nature; and (2) mechanisms for commercial application of successful energy technology development projects, including through establishment of partnerships between awardees and commercial entities. 
 
Revises program manager terms. 
 
 Modifies the restriction on the number of scientific, engineering, and professional personnel whom the Director has the authority to appoint. 
 
Authorizes the Director to select exceptional early career and senior scientific, legal, business, and technical personnel to serve as fellows to work at ARPA-E for two-year terms. Includes as responsibilities of fellows: (1) supporting program directors in program creation, implementation, and management; (2) exploring technical fields for future ARPA-E program areas; (3) assisting the Director in the creation of the strategic vision for ARPA-E; and (4) preparing energy technology and economic analyses. 
 
Extends the deadlines for submission of the strategic vision roadmaps to Congress. 
 
Instructs the Director to seek opportunities to partner with purchasing and procurement programs of federal agencies to demonstrate energy technologies resulting from activities funded through ARPA-E. 
 
Authorizes the Director to convene events that further ARPA-E objectives, including events that facilitate discussion of the commercial application of energy technologies. Requires that funding for such events be provided as part of the technology transfer and outreach activities authorized to receive funding from the Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund. 
 
Extends the period under which the Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract with NAS for an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and mission which shall include a description of how lessons learned from the operation of ARPA-E may apply to the operation of other programs within DOE. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 to the Director to carry out the purposes of ARPA-E. 
 
Increases the percentage of the amount allocated for use for technology transfer and outreach activities of ARPA-E. Requires such amount to be used for such activities that are consistent with the goal of promoting the commercial application of advanced energy technologies and that are within the responsibilities of program directors to identify mechanisms for commercial application of successful technology development projects, including through establishment of partnerships between award and commercial entities. 
 

Subtitle C: Energy Innovation Hubs 
- Energy Innovation Hubs Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 632) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program for making grants to consortia to establish and operate Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct and support multidisciplinary, collaborative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of advanced energy technologies in areas not being served by the private sector. 
 
Requires the designation of a unique advanced energy development focus for each Hub. 
 
Instructs the Secretary to ensure the coordination and avoid unnecessary duplication of Hubs' activities with those of other DOE research entities, including the national laboratories, ARPA-E, and Energy Frontier Research Centers, and within industry.
 

 
Requires each Hub to: (1) encourage collaboration and communication among the member qualifying entities of the consortium and awardees by conducting activities at one centralized location, whenever practicable; (2) publish on Doe's website proposed plans and programs; (3) submit annual reports summarizing the Hub's activities, including listing external advisory committee members and describing each project undertaken by the Hub; and (4) monitor project implementation and coordination. 
 
Requires each Hub to establish an external advisory committee, which shall advise and provide guidance on scientific, technical, industry, financial, and research management matters. 
 
Requires Hubs to establish conflict of interest procedures. Authorizes the Secretary to disqualify an application or revoke funds distributed to a Hub if it is discovered that there was a failure in complying with such procedures. 
 
Prohibits using any funds under this section for the construction of new buildings and facilities for Hubs. Bars construction of such building or facilities from being considered as a portion of the non-federal share of a Hub cost-sharing agreement. 
 
Prohibits anything in this section from prohibiting the use of funds under this section, or non-federal cost share funds, for the construction of a test bed or renovations to existing buildings or facilities for research if the Oversight Board determines that the test bed or renovations are limited to a scope and scale necessary for the research to be conducted. 
 
Establishes an Oversight Board within DOE to oversee the progress of Hubs.
 
Gives priority consideration to applications in which one or more of the qualifying entities of the consortium are 1890 Land Grant Institutions, predominantly black Institutions, tribal colleges or universities, or Hispanic serving institutions. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015.
 

Subtitle D: Cooperative Research and Development Fund 
- Cooperative Research and Development Fund Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 642) Directs the Secretary to make funds available to DOE national laboratories for the federal cost share of cooperative research and development agreements. Requires the apportionment of such funds to the DOE national laboratories. 
 
Ensures that special consideration is given to small business firms and consortia involving such firms in the selection of which such agreements will receive such funds. 
 
Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress describing how funds were spent under this subtitle. 
 
Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out such Fund. Prohibits funds allocated for this section from coming from funds allocated for the Office of Science. 
 

Subtitle E: Technology Transfer Database 
- (Sec. 651) Authorizes the Secretary to establish an online database of the technologies, capabilities, and resources available to the public at the National Laboratories. 
 

Title VII: Miscellaneous 
- (Sec. 701) Expresses the sense of Congress that, among the programs and activities authorized in this Act, those that correspond to the recommendations of the NAS 2005 report entitled &quot;Rising Above the Gathering Storm&quot; remain critical to maintaining long-term U.S. Competitiveness, and shall accordingly receive funding priority. 
 
(Sec. 702) Requires that IHEs serving large members of students with disabilities, including Gallaudet University, Landmark College, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and those offering STEM research and education activities and programs that serve veterans with disabilities, receive special consideration in the review of any of their proposals for funding under the research and education programs authorized in this Act to ensure that IHEs serving persons with disabilities benefit from such research and education activities and programs.
 
Requires agencies for which appropriations are authorized under this Act to conduct outreach to veterans with disabilities pursuing STEM studies to ensure that they are aware of and benefit from such research and education activities. 
 
(Sec. 703) Instructs IHEs, in the awarding of scholarships and fellowships under this Act, to give preference to applications from veterans and service members, including those who have received or will receive the Afghanistan Campaign Medal or the Iraq Campaign Medal. 
 
(Sec. 704) Requires the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, to be determined by reference to the latest statement entitled &quot;Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation,&quot; provided that such statement has been submitted for printing in the Congressional Record before the vote on passage. 
 
(Sec. 705) Prohibits the use of any funds authorized under this Act for the employment of, or receipt by, any individual who has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a crime of child molestation, rape, or any other form of sexual assault. 
 
(Sec. 706) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede federal law relating to the prohibition on lobbying with appropriated moneys. 
 
(Sec. 707) Makes a public IHE that employs employees who are represented by a labor organization and perform work on an activity or program supported by this Act eligible to receive funding for facilities and administrative costs for any such program or activity only if the IHE maintains a policy requiring that it provide, upon request by a labor organization representing its employees, any information which the labor organization has a lawful right to obtain. 
 
Permits a labor organization to file a complaint of noncompliance if the requested information has not been provided. Requires the agency head to suspend payment of funds for all supported activities and programs, if the complaint is determined to be valid, until the requested information has been provided. 
 
(Sec. 708) Prohibits the use of any funds under this Act to purchase gift and related items without direct educational value. 
 
(Sec. 709) Prohibits the use of any funds authorized under this Act to pay the salary of any individual who has been officially disciplined for violations of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography, including child pornography, on a federal government computer or while performing official government duties. 
 
(Sec. 710) Prohibits any funds authorized under this Act from being made available for making awards or providing grants for an IHE that is prevented from receiving funds for contracts or grants for education because it has a policy or practice of preventing Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) access or military recruiting on campuses.

action_date: 2010-12-17
text: 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Reauthorization Act of 2010 -
 Title I: Office of Science and Technology Policy 
- (Sec. 101) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), that has the responsibility of coordinating federal programs and activities in support of STEM education, including at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Education, and all other federal agencies that have programs and activities in support of STEM education. Defines &quot;STEM&quot; as the academic and professional disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 
 
Directs such committee to: (1) encourage the teaching of innovation and entrepreneurship as part of STEM education activities; (2) develop, implement, and update every five years a five-year STEM education strategic plan which shall specify and prioritize annual and long-term objectives; and (3) establish, periodically update, and maintain an inventory of federally sponsored STEM education programs and activities, including documentation of assessments of the effectiveness of such programs and activities and rates of participation by underrepresented minorities and persons in rural areas.
 
Requires the Director to annually report to Congress on the STEM education strategic plan. 
 
(Sec. 102) Requires the establishment or designation of a Committee on Technology under National Science and Technology Council which shall be responsible for planning and coordinating federal programs and activities in advanced manufacturing research and development. Requires the Committee to: (1) establish goals and priorities for advanced manufacturing research and development that will strengthen U.S. manufacturing; (2) reduce federal and state governmental regulatory, logistical, and fiscal barriers that inhibit U.S. manufacturing; (3) facilitate the transfer of intellectual property and technology based on federally supported university research into commercialization and manufacturing; (4) identify technological, market, or business challenges that may best be addressed by public-private partnerships and that are likely to attract participation and primary funding from industry; (5) encourage the formation of such partnerships to respond to those challenges for transition to U.S. manufacturing; and (6) develop a strategic plan to guide federal programs and activities in support of advanced manufacturing research and development. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to transmit the strategic plan and the subsequent updates to Congress. 
 
(Sec. 103) Establishes a working group under National Science and Technology Council to coordinate federal science agency research and policies related to the dissemination and long-term stewardship of the results of unclassified research supported by funding from federal science agencies having an annual extramural research expenditure of over $100 million. 
 
 Requires such working group to: (1) identify the specific objectives and public interests that need to be addressed by any policies coordinated under this section; and (2) consider the role of scientific publishers in the review process. 
 
 (Sec. 104) Instructs OSTP to develop policies for the management and use of federal scientific collections to improve their quality, organization, access, and long-term preservation for the benefit of scientific enterprise. 
 
Requires OSTP to ensure the development of an online clearinghouse for information on the contents of, and access to, federal scientific collections. 
 
Sets forth requirements for the disposal of federal scientific collections, including procedures for the transfer of collections no longer needed to qualified researchers. 
 
Requires OSTP to develop a common set of methodologies to be used by federal agencies to project costs associated with the management and preservation of collections. 
 
(Sec. 105) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize federal agencies to award prizes competitively to stimulate innovation that has the potential to advance an agency's mission. 
 
Prohibits the government from gaining an interest in intellectual property developed by a participant in a competition without the written consent of the participant, but authorizes the government to negotiate a license for the use of intellectual property developed by a participant. 
 
Permits: (1) agreements with private, nonprofit entities to administer competitions; and (2) support for a competition to consist of federally appropriated funds and funds provided by the private sector for cash prizes.
 

Title II: National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
- (Sec. 201) Expresses the sense of Congress that a renewed emphasis on technology development would enhance current mission capabilities of NASA and enable future missions, while encouraging NASA, private industry, and academia to spur innovation. States that NASA's Innovative Partnership Program is a valuable mechanism to accelerate technology maturation and encourages the transfer of technology into the private sector. 
 
(Sec. 202) Expresses the sense of Congress that NASA is uniquely positioned to interest students in STEM, not only by the example it sets, but through its education programs. 
 
Requires NASA to develop educational programs with specified goals.
 
(Sec. 203) Directs the Administrator to arrange for an independent assessment of impediments to space science and engineering workforce development for minority and underrepresented groups at NASA.
 
 (Sec. 204) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the International Space Station (ISS) represents a valuable and unique national asset which can be utilized to increase educational opportunities and scientific and technological innovation; (2) if the period for active utilization of the ISS is extended to at least 2020, the potential for such opportunities and innovation would be increased; and (3) efforts should be made to fully realize such potential. 
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) evaluate and expand efforts to maximize NASA's contribution to interagency efforts to enhance STEM education capabilities and U.S. technological excellence and global competitiveness; and (2) report on such evaluation. 
 
(Sec. 205) Directs the Administrator to study the potential impacts of a commercial orbital platform program on STEM education in the United States.
 

Title III: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
- (Sec. 301) Amends the America COMPETES Act to require NOAA to implement specified programs and activities with respect to the oceanic and atmospheric research and development program. 
 
Requires the Administrator to develop and report on NOAA's strategy for enhancing transformational research in its research and development portfolio to increase U.S. competitiveness in oceanic and atmospheric science and technology. 
 
(Sec. 302) Amends the America COMPETES Act to require the Administrator to build upon the educational programs and activities of NOAA, with consideration given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields and in promoting the acquisition and retention of highly qualified and motivated young scientists. Sets forth educational program goals.
 
(Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, to request the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study and report on the oceanic and atmospheric research and development scientific workforce.
 
Requires the Administrator to evaluate such study and develop a workforce program and plan to institutionalize NOAA's federal science career pathways and address aging workforce issues.
 

Title IV: National Institute of Standards and Technology 
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for: (1) scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities; (2) facilities construction and maintenance; and (3) industrial technology services activities, including the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program. 
 
(Sec. 403) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish in the Department of Commerce an Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. Requires the Under Secretary to serve as the Director of NIST. 
 
(Sec. 404) Makes it an objective of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through providing community colleges with information about the job skills needed in small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in their regions. 
 
Requires the Director to establish, within the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership Program, an innovative services initiative to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers in: (1) reducing energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental waste to improve profitability; (2) accelerating the domestic commercialization of new product technologies; and (3) identifying and diversifying new markets. Bars the Director from undertaking any activities to accelerate such commercialization of a new product technology unless an analysis of market demand for the new technology has been conducted.
 
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on cost share requirements under the Program and permits the Secretary to alter cost share requirements for the provision of financial assistance to a Center.
 
Redesignates the Program as the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 
 
 Requires the Director to: (1) evaluate the obstacles that are unique to small manufacturers which prevent them from effectively competing in the global market; (2) implement a comprehensive plan to train the Centers to address such obstacles; and (3) facilitate improved communication between the Centers to assist such manufacturers in the implementation of targeted solutions. 
 
 (Sec. 405) Requires the Director to establish a research initiative to support development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures where conventional radio communication is limited. Requires NIST to work with the private sector and federal agencies and issue a related report to Congress and to make such report publicly available.
 
 (Sec. 406) Requires the Director to promote the participation of underrepresented minorities in research areas supported by NIST in evaluating applications for research fellowships and other student assistance. 
 
Requires special consideration to be given to applications under the teacher science and technology enhancement program from teachers in high-need schools. 
 
(Sec. 407) Removes the limitation on the amount of appropriated funds the Director is authorized to expend in any fiscal year for research fellowships and other student assistance. 
 
Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competition Act of 1988 to repeal the Commerce, Science, and Technology Fellowship Program.
 
(Sec. 408) Requires the Director to carry out a green manufacturing and construction initiative.
 

Title V: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Support Programs
 
- Subtitle A: National Science Foundation
 - National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 503) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to NSF for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) agency operations and award management; (5) the Office of the National Science Board; and (6) the Office of Inspector General. 
 
(Sec. 504) Eliminates the ceiling on the number of limited-term personnel the National Science Board may permit to be appointed and assigned by its Chairman. 
 
Limits National Science Board reports to the President and Congress related to science and engineering, and education in science and engineering, to matters within NSF authority (or otherwise as requested by Congress or the President). 
 
Revises provisions concerning the application of the Government in the Sunshine Act to the Board. 
 
 (Sec. 505) Establishes a National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within NSF to serve as a central federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of data on science, engineering, technology, and research and development. 
 
Requires NSF, acting through the Center, to: (1) collect, analyze, report, and disseminate statistical data related to U.S. science and engineering enterprise and other nations; (2) support research using the data it collects, and on methodologies in areas related to the work of the Center; and (3) support the education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale, nationally representative data sets. 
 
Requires the Director or the National Science Board to issue special statistical reports on topics related to the national and international science and engineering enterprise. 
 
(Sec. 506) Requires NSF to carry out a program of awarding grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to support research leading to advances in manufacturing, including nanomanufacturing. Requires the Director to award grants to strengthen and expand scientific and technical education and training in advanced manufacturing, including NSF's advanced technological education program. 
 
 
(Sec. 507) Directs the National Science Board to evaluate mid-scale research instrumentation needs at NSF. 
 
(Sec. 508) Requires the Director to carry out a program to award grants to IHEs for the establishment and expansion of partnerships that promote innovation and increase the impact of research by developing the tools and resources to connect new scientific discoveries to practical uses. 
 
Requires IHEs, to be eligible for funding, to propose the establishment of a partnership that includes at least one private sector entity and that may include other IHEs, public sector institutions, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations.
 
Prohibits the use of funds under this section for the construction or renovation of buildings and structures. 
 
(Sec. 509) Requires the Director to establish a green chemistry basic research program to support research into green and sustainable chemistry. 
 
 (Sec. 510) Requires the Director to adjust funding for NSF's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (or any program by which it is replaced) by at least the same rate as funding for the Graduate Research Fellowship program is adjusted. 
 
Requires, for FY2011-FY2013, that at least half of the total NSF funds allocated to such programs be provided from funds appropriated for research and related activities. 
 
Requires the Director to set the amount to be awarded in each year for certain NSF scholarships and graduate fellowships in the sciences and engineering and requires each scholarship or fellowship to include a cost of education allowance of $12,000. 
 
(Sec. 511) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to revise matching fund requirements for NSF Teaching Fellowships or Master Teaching Fellowships under the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. Requires entities to provide non-federal funds of at least 30% for a grant under $1.5 million and at least 50% for a grant of $1.5 million or more, while requiring that at least 50% of the non-federal funds be in cash. 
 
Makes Teaching Fellowships and Master Teaching Fellowships available to retiring professionals in STEM fields. 
 
(Sec. 512) Requires NSF to continue to support the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program, the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program, and Hispanic-serving institutions as separate programs. 
 
(Sec. 513) Requires the Director to permit specialized STEM high schools conducting research to participate in major data collection initiatives from universities, corporations, or government labs under a research grant from NSF as part of a research proposal. 
 
(Sec. 514) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs and nonprofit organizations for sites designated by the Director to provide research experiences for 6 or more undergraduate STEM students for sites designated at primarily undergraduate IHEs and 10 or more undergraduate STEM students for all other sites.
 
(Sec. 515) Authorizes the award of grants to IHEs or their consortia for the establishment or expansion of partnerships with local or regional private sector entities to provide undergraduate students with private sector internship experiences that connect with their STEM coursework. Permits the inclusion of industry or professional associations in such partnerships.
 
Requires a 50% non-federal cost-share from established or expanded partnerships. 
 
Prohibits the use of federal funds: (1) to provide stipends or compensation to students for private sector internships, unless private sector entities match 75% of such funding; or (2) as payment or reimbursement to private sector entities, except for IHEs. 
 
Requires the Director to submit a specified report concerning such awards. 
 
(Sec. 516) Requires the Director to identify ways of using cyber-enabled learning to create an innovative STEM workforce and to help retrain and retain our existing STEM workforce to address national challenges, including national security and competitiveness, and to use technology to enhance or supplement laboratory learning. 
 
(Sec. 517) Continues the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), with the objective of helping the eligible states to develop the research infrastructure that will make them more competitive for NSF and other federal research funding. Requires EPSCoR to continue to expand as NSF funding increases for EPSCoR. 
 
Requires the Director to submit specified annual reports annually on EPSCoR. 
 
Directs the EPSCoR Interagency Coordinating Committee to undertake specified activities. 
 
Requires each federal agency that administers an EPSCoR or federal EPSCoR-like program to submit to OSTP a specified report on its program. 
 
Requires the Director to contract with NAS to conduct a specified study on all federal agencies that administer an EPSCoR program or a similar program. 
 
(Sec. 518) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the STEM Talent Expansion Program. 
 
(Sec. 519) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should: (1) focus federal research and development resources primarily in the areas of STEM basic research and education; and (2) strive to ensure that federally-supported research is of the finest quality, is groundbreaking, and answers questions or solves problems that are of the utmost importance to society. 
 
(Sec. 520) Requires IHEs that receive NSF research support and that have received at least $25 million in total federal research grants to maintain and report annually to the NSF the universal record locator for a public website that contains information concerning its general approach to and mechanisms for the transfer of technology and the commercialization of research results. 
 
Requires NSF to create a website that links to each such website. 
 
Prohibits IHEs from being required to reveal confidential, trade secret, or proprietary informationon their websites. 
 
(Sec. 521) Requires the Director to contract with NAS to initiate a study to evaluate, develop, or improve impact-on-society metrics, including the potential for commercial applications of research studies funded by grants from NSF or other federal agencies. 
 
(Sec. 522) Authorizes the Director to use funds appropriated to carry out grants to IHEs for the provision of financial support for post-graduate research in fields of study with potential commercial applications to match any private sector grant of financial assistance to any post-doctoral program in such a field. 
 
(Sec. 523) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should coordinate and collaborate with other federal agencies, including the DOE Office of Science, in its planning for the construction and stewardship of large facilities to ensure that joint investments may be made when practicable.
 
(Sec. 524) Authorizes the Director to support a national research agenda in key areas affected by the increased use of public and private cloud computing. 
 
Requires a review of cloud computing research opportunities and challenges.
 
Requires the Director to provide annual reports on the outcomes of NSF investments in cloud computing research, recommendations for research focus and program improvements, or other related recommendations.
 
Requires the NIST Director to collaborate with industry in the development of standards to support trusted cloud computing infrastructures, metrics, interoperability, and assurance and to support standards development. 
 
(Sec. 525) Requires the Director to continue to support a program for awarding grants to tribal colleges and universities to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education and to increase the retention and graduation rates of Native American students in STEM. 
 
(Sec. 526) Directs NSF to implement a policy for a specified broader impacts review criterion, including goals to achieve increased U.S. economic competitiveness, development of a globally competitive STEM workforce, and increased national security. Requires the Director to implement a policy for the criterion that takes certain actions with respect to NSF professional staff, merit review panels, grant applicants and recipients and principal investigators involving NSF research grants. 
 
(Sec. 527) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs for the implementation or expansion of research-based reforms in master's and doctoral level STEM education that emphasizes preparation for diverse careers utilizing STEM degrees, including at IHEs, in industry, and at government agencies and research laboratories. Describes the activities that may be supported by such grants. 
 
 
Permits an IHE to partner with one or more other nonprofit education or research organizations, including scientific and engineering societies, to carry out the activities authorized under this section. 
 

Subtitle B: Stem-Training Grant Program 
- (Sec. 551) States that the purpose of this subtitle is to replicate and implement programs at IHEs that provide integrated STEM and teacher education courses that lead to a baccalaureate degree with concurrent teacher certification. 
 
(Sec. 552) Describes the types of undergraduate degree programs to be replicated and implemented. 
 
(Sec. 553) Requires the Director to establish a grant program to carry out this subtitle's purpose. 
 
Instructs the Director to ensure that grants are equitably distributed across all regions of the United States, accounting for population density and other geographic and demographic considerations. 
 
Authorizes the Director to award competitive $2 million grants annually to IHEs for specified STEM training purposes.
 
Bars an IHE from receiving a grant under the program unless it provides a prescribed non-federal match. 
 
(Sec. 554) Authorizes the Director to contract for program oversight and fiscal management with an organization at an IHE, a nonprofit organization, or other entity that demonstrates experience in: (1) replicating one or more similar programs at regional or national levels; (2) providing programmatic and technical implementation assistance for the program; (3) performing data collection and analysis; and (4) providing accountability for results. Specifies the oversight responsibilities of the organization contracted to perform such program oversight and management.
 
(Sec. 556) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out this subtitle. 
 

Title VI: Innovation 
- (Sec. 601) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to foster the innovation and commercialization of new technologies, products, processes, and services to promote productivity and economic growth in the United States. 
 
Makes it the responsibility of the Office to: (1) develop policies to accelerate innovation and advance commercialization of research and development; (2) identify existing barriers to innovation and commercialization; (3) provide access to relevant data, research, and technical assistance on innovation and commercialization; and (4) strengthen collaboration on policies related to innovation and commercialization. 
 
Creates an Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to advise the Secretary respecting the Office's responsibilities. 
 
 (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide loan guarantees for obligations to borrowers that are small- or medium-sized manufacturers for projects that use or produce innovative technologies. 
 
Allows loan guarantees to be made only for projects that re-equip, expand, or establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to: (1) use an innovative technology or an innovative process in manufacturing; (2) manufacture an innovative technology product or an integral component of such a product; or (3) commercialize an innovative product, process, or idea that was developed by research funded by a grant from the federal government. 
 
Limits the amount of a loan guarantee to 80% of the obligation.
 
Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on activities carried out under the program. 
 
Permits the use of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to provide information about the program and to conduct outreach to potential borrowers.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to provide the cost of the loan guarantees under the program. 
 
 (Sec. 603) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to establish a regional innovation program to encourage and support the development of regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters science and research parks. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible recipients for activities related to the development of regional innovation clusters. 
 
Sets forth permissible activities for which awarded grants may be used, including for: (1) facilitating market development of products and services developed by a regional innovation cluster; and (2) interacting with the public and state and local governments to meet the goals of a cluster. 
 
Gives special consideration to: (1) applications from regions containing communities negatively impacted by trade; and (2) eligible recipients who agree to collaborate with local workforce investment area boards. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from providing more than half of the total cost share of any activity funded under this section. 
 
Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to award grants for the development of feasibility studies and plans for the construction of new or expansion of existing science parks. 
 
Limits the amount of a grant to $750,000.
 
Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 80% of the loan amount for projects for the construction or expansion, including renovation and modernization, of science park infrastructure. 
 
Limits the maximum amount of loan principal guaranteed to $50 million for any single project and $300 million for all projects.
 
Prohibits guaranteeing a loan after September 30, 2013. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 for the costs of guaranteeing $300 million in loansfor such science park infrastructure construction or expansion projects. 
 
Establishes a regional innovation research and information program to: (1) gather, analyze, and disseminate information on best practices for regional innovation strategies; (2) provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of such strategies; and (3) collect and make available data on regional innovation clusters. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award research grants to support program goals. 
 
Requires the dissemination of data and analysis compiled under the program to other federal agencies, state and local governments, and nonprofit and for-profit entities.
 
Instructs the Secretary to pursue collaboration with other federal agencies on regional innovation strategies, ensuring that such collaboration prioritizes the needs and challenges of small businesses. 
 
Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent entity, such as NAS, to conduct an evaluation of the program, which shall include a recommendation as to whether such program should be continued or terminated.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out this section (other than for loan guarantees for science park infrastructure projects). 
 
(Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary to complete a study of the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of the United States. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a process for obtaining public comments; and (2) an Innovation Advisory Board to advise the Secretary with respect to the conduct of the study. 
 
Directs the Secretary to develop, based on the study, a national 10-year strategy for strengthening the innovative and competitive capacity of the federal government, state and local governments, IHEs, and the private sector. 
 
(Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to carry out a study of the barriers to the use of high-end computing simulation and modeling by small- and medium-sized manufacturers in the United States. 
 
Permits the Secretary, the DOE Secretary, and the OSTP Director to carry out demonstration or pilot programs to gather experiential data to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of a specific program or policy initiative for reducing barriers to the use of high-end computer modeling and simulation by such manufacturers. 
 

Title VII: NIST Green Jobs 
- NIST Grants for Energy Efficiency, New Job Opportunities, and Business Solutions Act of 2010 or the NIST GREEN JOBS Act of 2010 - (Sec. 703) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the themes under the competitive grant program within the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership to be related to projects: (1) designed to increase the viability both of traditional manufacturing sectors and other sectors; and (2) concerning the transfer of technology based on the technological needs of manufacturers and available technologies from IHEs, laboratories, and other technology producing entities. Authorizes such themes to extend beyond such areas to include projects related to construction industry modernization. 
 
Revises the selection criteria for such grants. Requires the NIST Director to: (1) endeavor to select at least one proposal in each of the nine statistical divisions of the United States; and (2) award grants to proposals that will create jobs or train newly hired employees, promote technology transfer and commercialization of environmentally focused materials, increase energy efficiency, and improve the competitiveness of industries in regions in which the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers are located. 
 
Authorizes the Director to award grants to proposals that will: (1) encourage greater cooperation and foster partnerships in energy efficiency and building technology; and (2) collect data and analyze the increasing connection between manufactured products and manufacturing techniques, the future of construction practices, and the emerging application of products from green energy industries. 
 
Limits award duration to three years. Authorizes awards to be used by the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to assist small or medium-sized construction firms. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out such NIST grant program. 
 

Title VIII: General Provisions 
- (Sec. 801) Requires a GAO review of the status of the programs authorized by this Act. 
 
(Sec. 802) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to pay the salaries of any individuals who are convicted of: (1) selling or possessing with intent to sell obscene visual matter on federal property; or (2) engaging in activities related to visual material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. 
 
(Sec. 803) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) undertake research and development work in connection with any matter in relation to which the FCC has jurisdiction; and (2) promote the carrying out of such research and development or otherwise to arrange for it to be carried out. 
 

Title IX: Department of Energy 
- (Sec. 901) Repeals provisions of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act regarding: (1) the pilot grant program to help states establish or expand public, statewide specialty schools for science and mathematics; (2) a summer internship program to provide experiential-based learning opportunities at the national laboratories; and (3) a program to make available to teachers and students web-based K-12 STEM education resources related to DOE's science and energy mission. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out the establishment or expansion of summer institutes at the national laboratories. 
 
(Sec. 902) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out: (1) the nuclear science talent expansion program and nuclear science competitiveness grants; (2) hydrocarbon systems science program expansion grants; (3) DOE early career awards; (4) the Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Graduate Fellowship Program; and (5) the distinguished scientist program. 
 
Modifies the definition of &quot;hydrocarbon systems science&quot; to include hydrocarbon spill response and remediation. 
 
(Sec. 903) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out certain research and development activities of the Office of Science. 
 
(Sec. 904) Amends the America COMPETES Act to instruct the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of DOE to achieve the goals of ARPA-E through energy technology projects which identify and promote revolutionary advances in applied sciences. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of the Director of ARPA-E: (1) the research and development of advanced manufacturing process and technologies for the domestic manufacturing of novel energy technologies; and (2) with respect to achieving ARPA-E goals through energy technology projects by accelerating transformational technological advances in areas that industry is not likely to undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty, ensuring that applications for funding disclose the extent of current and prior efforts in pursuit of the technology area for which funding is being requested, adopting measures to ensure that program managers adhere to the objectives of accelerating such technological advances in such areas in making awards under this section, and providing a summary in the annual report of the instances and reasons for ARPA-E funding projects in technology areas already being undertaken by industry. 
 
Authorizes the Director to provide awards through grants and other transactions to carry out ARPA-E. 
 
Requires the Director to establish within ARPA-E a staff to enable ARPA-E to carry out its responsibilities in conjunction with the operations of DOE. 
 
Requires the Director to designate ARPA-E employees to serve as program directors (under current law, as program managers). Eliminates the requirement that energy technology projects to be supported under a program established within ARPA-E shall be selected with advice from certain advisory committees, as appropriate. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of program directors the identification of: (1) innovative cost-sharing arrangements for ARPA-E projects, including through use of the authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for reducing or eliminating the 20% non-federal cost share requirement with respect to a research and development activity of an applied nature; and (2) mechanisms for commercial application of successful energy technology development projects, including through establishment of partnerships between awardees and commercial entities. 
 
Revises program manager terms. 
 
Revises the requirement for the compensation of the scientific, engineering, and professional personnel appointed by the Director. Modifies the restriction on the number of such personnel whom the Director has the authority to appoint. 
 
Extends the deadlines for submission of the strategic vision roadmaps to Congress. 
 
Instructs the Director to seek opportunities to partner with purchasing and procurement programs of federal agencies to demonstrate energy technologies resulting from activities funded through ARPA-E. 
 
Extends by two years the period under which the Secretary shall offer to contract with NAS for an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and mission and how lessons learned from the operation of ARPA-E may apply to the operation of other DOE programs. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to the Director to carry out the purposes of ARPA-E. 
 
Increases the percentage of the amount allocated for use for technology transfer and outreach activities of ARPA-E. 
 

Title X: Education 
- (Sec. 1002) Repeals specified provisions of the America COMPETES Act relating to math and science and critical foreign language education. 
 
(Sec. 1003) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 for the Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow program to carry out grant programs for baccalaureate degrees and master's degrees in STEM or critical foreign languages.
 
Decreases the amount of the non-federal match required with respect to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out such programs. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2012 for grants to promote better alignment of secondary school graduation requirements with needed knowledge and skills to succeed in 21st century postsecondary endeavors and to establish or improve P-16 education data systems. 

action_date: 2011-01-04
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 17, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Reauthorization Act of 2010 -
 Title I: Office of Science and Technology Policy 
- (Sec. 101) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), that has the responsibility of coordinating federal programs and activities in support of STEM education, including at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Education, and all other federal agencies that have programs and activities in support of STEM education. Defines &quot;STEM&quot; as the academic and professional disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 
 
Directs such committee to: (1) encourage the teaching of innovation and entrepreneurship as part of STEM education activities; (2) develop, implement, and update every five years a five-year STEM education strategic plan which shall specify and prioritize annual and long-term objectives; and (3) establish, periodically update, and maintain an inventory of federally sponsored STEM education programs and activities, including documentation of assessments of the effectiveness of such programs and activities and rates of participation by underrepresented minorities and persons in rural areas.
 
Requires the Director to annually report to Congress on the STEM education strategic plan. 
 
(Sec. 102) Requires the establishment or designation of a Committee on Technology under National Science and Technology Council which shall be responsible for planning and coordinating federal programs and activities in advanced manufacturing research and development. Requires the Committee to: (1) establish goals and priorities for advanced manufacturing research and development that will strengthen U.S. manufacturing; (2) reduce federal and state governmental regulatory, logistical, and fiscal barriers that inhibit U.S. manufacturing; (3) facilitate the transfer of intellectual property and technology based on federally supported university research into commercialization and manufacturing; (4) identify technological, market, or business challenges that may best be addressed by public-private partnerships and that are likely to attract participation and primary funding from industry; (5) encourage the formation of such partnerships to respond to those challenges for transition to U.S. manufacturing; and (6) develop a strategic plan to guide federal programs and activities in support of advanced manufacturing research and development. 
 
Requires the Director of OSTP to transmit the strategic plan and the subsequent updates to Congress. 
 
(Sec. 103) Establishes a working group under National Science and Technology Council to coordinate federal science agency research and policies related to the dissemination and long-term stewardship of the results of unclassified research supported by funding from federal science agencies having an annual extramural research expenditure of over $100 million. 
 
 Requires such working group to: (1) identify the specific objectives and public interests that need to be addressed by any policies coordinated under this section; and (2) consider the role of scientific publishers in the review process. 
 
 (Sec. 104) Instructs OSTP to develop policies for the management and use of federal scientific collections to improve their quality, organization, access, and long-term preservation for the benefit of scientific enterprise. 
 
Requires OSTP to ensure the development of an online clearinghouse for information on the contents of, and access to, federal scientific collections. 
 
Sets forth requirements for the disposal of federal scientific collections, including procedures for the transfer of collections no longer needed to qualified researchers. 
 
Requires OSTP to develop a common set of methodologies to be used by federal agencies to project costs associated with the management and preservation of collections. 
 
(Sec. 105) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize federal agencies to award prizes competitively to stimulate innovation that has the potential to advance an agency's mission. 
 
Prohibits the government from gaining an interest in intellectual property developed by a participant in a competition without the written consent of the participant, but authorizes the government to negotiate a license for the use of intellectual property developed by a participant. 
 
Permits: (1) agreements with private, nonprofit entities to administer competitions; and (2) support for a competition to consist of federally appropriated funds and funds provided by the private sector for cash prizes.
 

Title II: National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
- (Sec. 201) Expresses the sense of Congress that a renewed emphasis on technology development would enhance current mission capabilities of NASA and enable future missions, while encouraging NASA, private industry, and academia to spur innovation. States that NASA's Innovative Partnership Program is a valuable mechanism to accelerate technology maturation and encourages the transfer of technology into the private sector. 
 
(Sec. 202) Expresses the sense of Congress that NASA is uniquely positioned to interest students in STEM, not only by the example it sets, but through its education programs. 
 
Requires NASA to develop educational programs with specified goals.
 
(Sec. 203) Directs the Administrator to arrange for an independent assessment of impediments to space science and engineering workforce development for minority and underrepresented groups at NASA.
 
 (Sec. 204) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the International Space Station (ISS) represents a valuable and unique national asset which can be utilized to increase educational opportunities and scientific and technological innovation; (2) if the period for active utilization of the ISS is extended to at least 2020, the potential for such opportunities and innovation would be increased; and (3) efforts should be made to fully realize such potential. 
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) evaluate and expand efforts to maximize NASA's contribution to interagency efforts to enhance STEM education capabilities and U.S. technological excellence and global competitiveness; and (2) report on such evaluation. 
 
(Sec. 205) Directs the Administrator to study the potential impacts of a commercial orbital platform program on STEM education in the United States.
 

Title III: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
- (Sec. 301) Amends the America COMPETES Act to require NOAA to implement specified programs and activities with respect to the oceanic and atmospheric research and development program. 
 
Requires the Administrator to develop and report on NOAA's strategy for enhancing transformational research in its research and development portfolio to increase U.S. competitiveness in oceanic and atmospheric science and technology. 
 
(Sec. 302) Amends the America COMPETES Act to require the Administrator to build upon the educational programs and activities of NOAA, with consideration given to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields and in promoting the acquisition and retention of highly qualified and motivated young scientists. Sets forth educational program goals.
 
(Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, to request the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study and report on the oceanic and atmospheric research and development scientific workforce.
 
Requires the Administrator to evaluate such study and develop a workforce program and plan to institutionalize NOAA's federal science career pathways and address aging workforce issues.
 

Title IV: National Institute of Standards and Technology 
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to the Secretary of Commerce for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for: (1) scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities; (2) facilities construction and maintenance; and (3) industrial technology services activities, including the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program. 
 
(Sec. 403) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to establish in the Department of Commerce an Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology. Requires the Under Secretary to serve as the Director of NIST. 
 
(Sec. 404) Makes it an objective of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through providing community colleges with information about the job skills needed in small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses in their regions. 
 
Requires the Director to establish, within the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership Program, an innovative services initiative to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers in: (1) reducing energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental waste to improve profitability; (2) accelerating the domestic commercialization of new product technologies; and (3) identifying and diversifying new markets. Bars the Director from undertaking any activities to accelerate such commercialization of a new product technology unless an analysis of market demand for the new technology has been conducted.
 
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on cost share requirements under the Program and permits the Secretary to alter cost share requirements for the provision of financial assistance to a Center.
 
Redesignates the Program as the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 
 
 Requires the Director to: (1) evaluate the obstacles that are unique to small manufacturers which prevent them from effectively competing in the global market; (2) implement a comprehensive plan to train the Centers to address such obstacles; and (3) facilitate improved communication between the Centers to assist such manufacturers in the implementation of targeted solutions. 
 
 (Sec. 405) Requires the Director to establish a research initiative to support development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces and other shielded environments, such as high-rise buildings or collapsed structures where conventional radio communication is limited. Requires NIST to work with the private sector and federal agencies and issue a related report to Congress and to make such report publicly available.
 
 (Sec. 406) Requires the Director to promote the participation of underrepresented minorities in research areas supported by NIST in evaluating applications for research fellowships and other student assistance. 
 
Requires special consideration to be given to applications under the teacher science and technology enhancement program from teachers in high-need schools. 
 
(Sec. 407) Removes the limitation on the amount of appropriated funds the Director is authorized to expend in any fiscal year for research fellowships and other student assistance. 
 
Amends the Omnibus Trade and Competition Act of 1988 to repeal the Commerce, Science, and Technology Fellowship Program.
 
(Sec. 408) Requires the Director to carry out a green manufacturing and construction initiative.
 

Title V: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Support Programs
 
- Subtitle A: National Science Foundation
 - National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 - (Sec. 503) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to NSF for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) agency operations and award management; (5) the Office of the National Science Board; and (6) the Office of Inspector General. 
 
(Sec. 504) Eliminates the ceiling on the number of limited-term personnel the National Science Board may permit to be appointed and assigned by its Chairman. 
 
Limits National Science Board reports to the President and Congress related to science and engineering, and education in science and engineering, to matters within NSF authority (or otherwise as requested by Congress or the President). 
 
Revises provisions concerning the application of the Government in the Sunshine Act to the Board. 
 
 (Sec. 505) Establishes a National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within NSF to serve as a central federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of data on science, engineering, technology, and research and development. 
 
Requires NSF, acting through the Center, to: (1) collect, analyze, report, and disseminate statistical data related to U.S. science and engineering enterprise and other nations; (2) support research using the data it collects, and on methodologies in areas related to the work of the Center; and (3) support the education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale, nationally representative data sets. 
 
Requires the Director or the National Science Board to issue special statistical reports on topics related to the national and international science and engineering enterprise. 
 
(Sec. 506) Requires NSF to carry out a program of awarding grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to support research leading to advances in manufacturing, including nanomanufacturing. Requires the Director to award grants to strengthen and expand scientific and technical education and training in advanced manufacturing, including NSF's advanced technological education program. 
 
 
(Sec. 507) Directs the National Science Board to evaluate mid-scale research instrumentation needs at NSF. 
 
(Sec. 508) Requires the Director to carry out a program to award grants to IHEs for the establishment and expansion of partnerships that promote innovation and increase the impact of research by developing the tools and resources to connect new scientific discoveries to practical uses. 
 
Requires IHEs, to be eligible for funding, to propose the establishment of a partnership that includes at least one private sector entity and that may include other IHEs, public sector institutions, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations.
 
Prohibits the use of funds under this section for the construction or renovation of buildings and structures. 
 
(Sec. 509) Requires the Director to establish a green chemistry basic research program to support research into green and sustainable chemistry. 
 
 (Sec. 510) Requires the Director to adjust funding for NSF's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (or any program by which it is replaced) by at least the same rate as funding for the Graduate Research Fellowship program is adjusted. 
 
Requires, for FY2011-FY2013, that at least half of the total NSF funds allocated to such programs be provided from funds appropriated for research and related activities. 
 
Requires the Director to set the amount to be awarded in each year for certain NSF scholarships and graduate fellowships in the sciences and engineering and requires each scholarship or fellowship to include a cost of education allowance of $12,000. 
 
(Sec. 511) Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to revise matching fund requirements for NSF Teaching Fellowships or Master Teaching Fellowships under the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. Requires entities to provide non-federal funds of at least 30% for a grant under $1.5 million and at least 50% for a grant of $1.5 million or more, while requiring that at least 50% of the non-federal funds be in cash. 
 
Makes Teaching Fellowships and Master Teaching Fellowships available to retiring professionals in STEM fields. 
 
(Sec. 512) Requires NSF to continue to support the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program, the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program, and Hispanic-serving institutions as separate programs. 
 
(Sec. 513) Requires the Director to permit specialized STEM high schools conducting research to participate in major data collection initiatives from universities, corporations, or government labs under a research grant from NSF as part of a research proposal. 
 
(Sec. 514) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs and nonprofit organizations for sites designated by the Director to provide research experiences for 6 or more undergraduate STEM students for sites designated at primarily undergraduate IHEs and 10 or more undergraduate STEM students for all other sites.
 
(Sec. 515) Authorizes the award of grants to IHEs or their consortia for the establishment or expansion of partnerships with local or regional private sector entities to provide undergraduate students with private sector internship experiences that connect with their STEM coursework. Permits the inclusion of industry or professional associations in such partnerships.
 
Requires a 50% non-federal cost-share from established or expanded partnerships. 
 
Prohibits the use of federal funds: (1) to provide stipends or compensation to students for private sector internships, unless private sector entities match 75% of such funding; or (2) as payment or reimbursement to private sector entities, except for IHEs. 
 
Requires the Director to submit a specified report concerning such awards. 
 
(Sec. 516) Requires the Director to identify ways of using cyber-enabled learning to create an innovative STEM workforce and to help retrain and retain our existing STEM workforce to address national challenges, including national security and competitiveness, and to use technology to enhance or supplement laboratory learning. 
 
(Sec. 517) Continues the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), with the objective of helping the eligible states to develop the research infrastructure that will make them more competitive for NSF and other federal research funding. Requires EPSCoR to continue to expand as NSF funding increases for EPSCoR. 
 
Requires the Director to submit specified annual reports annually on EPSCoR. 
 
Directs the EPSCoR Interagency Coordinating Committee to undertake specified activities. 
 
Requires each federal agency that administers an EPSCoR or federal EPSCoR-like program to submit to OSTP a specified report on its program. 
 
Requires the Director to contract with NAS to conduct a specified study on all federal agencies that administer an EPSCoR program or a similar program. 
 
(Sec. 518) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the STEM Talent Expansion Program. 
 
(Sec. 519) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should: (1) focus federal research and development resources primarily in the areas of STEM basic research and education; and (2) strive to ensure that federally-supported research is of the finest quality, is groundbreaking, and answers questions or solves problems that are of the utmost importance to society. 
 
(Sec. 520) Requires IHEs that receive NSF research support and that have received at least $25 million in total federal research grants to maintain and report annually to the NSF the universal record locator for a public website that contains information concerning its general approach to and mechanisms for the transfer of technology and the commercialization of research results. 
 
Requires NSF to create a website that links to each such website. 
 
Prohibits IHEs from being required to reveal confidential, trade secret, or proprietary information on their websites. 
 
(Sec. 521) Requires the Director to contract with NAS to initiate a study to evaluate, develop, or improve impact-on-society metrics, including the potential for commercial applications of research studies funded by grants from NSF or other federal agencies. 
 
(Sec. 522) Authorizes the Director to use funds appropriated to carry out grants to IHEs for the provision of financial support for post-graduate research in fields of study with potential commercial applications to match any private sector grant of financial assistance to any post-doctoral program in such a field. 
 
(Sec. 523) Expresses the sense of Congress that NSF should coordinate and collaborate with other federal agencies, including the DOE Office of Science, in its planning for the construction and stewardship of large facilities to ensure that joint investments may be made when practicable.
 
(Sec. 524) Authorizes the Director to support a national research agenda in key areas affected by the increased use of public and private cloud computing. 
 
Requires a review of cloud computing research opportunities and challenges.
 
Requires the Director to provide annual reports on the outcomes of NSF investments in cloud computing research, recommendations for research focus and program improvements, or other related recommendations.
 
Requires the NIST Director to collaborate with industry in the development of standards to support trusted cloud computing infrastructures, metrics, interoperability, and assurance and to support standards development. 
 
(Sec. 525) Requires the Director to continue to support a program for awarding grants to tribal colleges and universities to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education and to increase the retention and graduation rates of Native American students in STEM. 
 
(Sec. 526) Directs NSF to implement a policy for a specified broader impacts review criterion, including goals to achieve increased U.S. economic competitiveness, development of a globally competitive STEM workforce, and increased national security. Requires the Director to implement a policy for the criterion that takes certain actions with respect to NSF professional staff, merit review panels, grant applicants and recipients and principal investigators involving NSF research grants. 
 
(Sec. 527) Requires the Director to award grants to IHEs for the implementation or expansion of research-based reforms in master's and doctoral level STEM education that emphasizes preparation for diverse careers utilizing STEM degrees, including at IHEs, in industry, and at government agencies and research laboratories. Describes the activities that may be supported by such grants. 
 
 
Permits an IHE to partner with one or more other nonprofit education or research organizations, including scientific and engineering societies, to carry out the activities authorized under this section. 
 

Subtitle B: Stem-Training Grant Program 
- (Sec. 551) States that the purpose of this subtitle is to replicate and implement programs at IHEs that provide integrated STEM and teacher education courses that lead to a baccalaureate degree with concurrent teacher certification. 
 
(Sec. 552) Describes the types of undergraduate degree programs to be replicated and implemented. 
 
(Sec. 553) Requires the Director to establish a grant program to carry out this subtitle's purpose. 
 
Instructs the Director to ensure that grants are equitably distributed across all regions of the United States, accounting for population density and other geographic and demographic considerations. 
 
Authorizes the Director to award competitive $2 million grants annually to IHEs for specified STEM training purposes.
 
Bars an IHE from receiving a grant under the program unless it provides a prescribed non-federal match. 
 
(Sec. 554) Authorizes the Director to contract for program oversight and fiscal management with an organization at an IHE, a nonprofit organization, or other entity that demonstrates experience in: (1) replicating one or more similar programs at regional or national levels; (2) providing programmatic and technical implementation assistance for the program; (3) performing data collection and analysis; and (4) providing accountability for results. Specifies the oversight responsibilities of the organization contracted to perform such program oversight and management.
 
(Sec. 556) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out this subtitle. 
 

Title VI: Innovation 
- (Sec. 601) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to foster the innovation and commercialization of new technologies, products, processes, and services to promote productivity and economic growth in the United States. 
 
Makes it the responsibility of the Office to: (1) develop policies to accelerate innovation and advance commercialization of research and development; (2) identify existing barriers to innovation and commercialization; (3) provide access to relevant data, research, and technical assistance on innovation and commercialization; and (4) strengthen collaboration on policies related to innovation and commercialization. 
 
Creates an Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to advise the Secretary respecting the Office's responsibilities. 
 
 (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide loan guarantees for obligations to borrowers that are small- or medium-sized manufacturers for projects that use or produce innovative technologies. 
 
Allows loan guarantees to be made only for projects that re-equip, expand, or establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to: (1) use an innovative technology or an innovative process in manufacturing; (2) manufacture an innovative technology product or an integral component of such a product; or (3) commercialize an innovative product, process, or idea that was developed by research funded by a grant from the federal government. 
 
Limits the amount of a loan guarantee to 80% of the obligation.
 
Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on activities carried out under the program. 
 
Permits the use of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to provide information about the program and to conduct outreach to potential borrowers.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to provide the cost of the loan guarantees under the program. 
 
 (Sec. 603) Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to establish a regional innovation program to encourage and support the development of regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters science and research parks. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible recipients for activities related to the development of regional innovation clusters. 
 
Sets forth permissible activities for which awarded grants may be used, including for: (1) facilitating market development of products and services developed by a regional innovation cluster; and (2) interacting with the public and state and local governments to meet the goals of a cluster. 
 
Gives special consideration to: (1) applications from regions containing communities negatively impacted by trade; and (2) eligible recipients who agree to collaborate with local workforce investment area boards. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from providing more than half of the total cost share of any activity funded under this section. 
 
Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary to award grants for the development of feasibility studies and plans for the construction of new or expansion of existing science parks. 
 
Limits the amount of a grant to $750,000.
 
Allows the Secretary to guarantee up to 80% of the loan amount for projects for the construction or expansion, including renovation and modernization, of science park infrastructure. 
 
Limits the maximum amount of loan principal guaranteed to $50 million for any single project and $300 million for all projects.
 
Prohibits guaranteeing a loan after September 30, 2013. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 for the costs of guaranteeing $300 million in loans for such science park infrastructure construction or expansion projects. 
 
Establishes a regional innovation research and information program to: (1) gather, analyze, and disseminate information on best practices for regional innovation strategies; (2) provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of such strategies; and (3) collect and make available data on regional innovation clusters. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award research grants to support program goals. 
 
Requires the dissemination of data and analysis compiled under the program to other federal agencies, state and local governments, and nonprofit and for-profit entities.
 
Instructs the Secretary to pursue collaboration with other federal agencies on regional innovation strategies, ensuring that such collaboration prioritizes the needs and challenges of small businesses. 
 
Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent entity, such as NAS, to conduct an evaluation of the program, which shall include a recommendation as to whether such program should be continued or terminated.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out this section (other than for loan guarantees for science park infrastructure projects). 
 
(Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary to complete a study of the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of the United States. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a process for obtaining public comments; and (2) an Innovation Advisory Board to advise the Secretary with respect to the conduct of the study. 
 
Directs the Secretary to develop, based on the study, a national 10-year strategy for strengthening the innovative and competitive capacity of the federal government, state and local governments, IHEs, and the private sector. 
 
(Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to carry out a study of the barriers to the use of high-end computing simulation and modeling by small- and medium-sized manufacturers in the United States. 
 
Permits the Secretary, the DOE Secretary, and the OSTP Director to carry out demonstration or pilot programs to gather experiential data to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of a specific program or policy initiative for reducing barriers to the use of high-end computer modeling and simulation by such manufacturers. 
 

Title VII: NIST Green Jobs 
- NIST Grants for Energy Efficiency, New Job Opportunities, and Business Solutions Act of 2010 or the NIST GREEN JOBS Act of 2010 - (Sec. 703) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the themes under the competitive grant program within the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership to be related to projects: (1) designed to increase the viability both of traditional manufacturing sectors and other sectors; and (2) concerning the transfer of technology based on the technological needs of manufacturers and available technologies from IHEs, laboratories, and other technology producing entities. Authorizes such themes to extend beyond such areas to include projects related to construction industry modernization. 
 
Revises the selection criteria for such grants. Requires the NIST Director to: (1) endeavor to select at least one proposal in each of the nine statistical divisions of the United States; and (2) award grants to proposals that will create jobs or train newly hired employees, promote technology transfer and commercialization of environmentally focused materials, increase energy efficiency, and improve the competitiveness of industries in regions in which the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers are located. 
 
Authorizes the Director to award grants to proposals that will: (1) encourage greater cooperation and foster partnerships in energy efficiency and building technology; and (2) collect data and analyze the increasing connection between manufactured products and manufacturing techniques, the future of construction practices, and the emerging application of products from green energy industries. 
 
Limits award duration to three years. Authorizes awards to be used by the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers to assist small or medium-sized construction firms. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out such NIST grant program. 
 

Title VIII: General Provisions 
- (Sec. 801) Requires a GAO review of the status of the programs authorized by this Act. 
 
(Sec. 802) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to pay the salaries of any individuals who are convicted of: (1) selling or possessing with intent to sell obscene visual matter on federal property; or (2) engaging in activities related to visual material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. 
 
(Sec. 803) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) undertake research and development work in connection with any matter in relation to which the FCC has jurisdiction; and (2) promote the carrying out of such research and development or otherwise to arrange for it to be carried out. 
 

Title IX: Department of Energy 
- (Sec. 901) Repeals provisions of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act regarding: (1) the pilot grant program to help states establish or expand public, statewide specialty schools for science and mathematics; (2) a summer internship program to provide experiential-based learning opportunities at the national laboratories; and (3) a program to make available to teachers and students web-based K-12 STEM education resources related to DOE's science and energy mission. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out the establishment or expansion of summer institutes at the national laboratories. 
 
(Sec. 902) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out: (1) the nuclear science talent expansion program and nuclear science competitiveness grants; (2) hydrocarbon systems science program expansion grants; (3) DOE early career awards; (4) the Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Graduate Fellowship Program; and (5) the distinguished scientist program. 
 
Modifies the definition of &quot;hydrocarbon systems science&quot; to include hydrocarbon spill response and remediation. 
 
(Sec. 903) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out certain research and development activities of the Office of Science. 
 
(Sec. 904) Amends the America COMPETES Act to instruct the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of DOE to achieve the goals of ARPA-E through energy technology projects which identify and promote revolutionary advances in applied sciences. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of the Director of ARPA-E: (1) the research and development of advanced manufacturing process and technologies for the domestic manufacturing of novel energy technologies; and (2) with respect to achieving ARPA-E goals through energy technology projects by accelerating transformational technological advances in areas that industry is not likely to undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty, ensuring that applications for funding disclose the extent of current and prior efforts in pursuit of the technology area for which funding is being requested, adopting measures to ensure that program managers adhere to the objectives of accelerating such technological advances in such areas in making awards under this section, and providing a summary in the annual report of the instances and reasons for ARPA-E funding projects in technology areas already being undertaken by industry. 
 
Authorizes the Director to provide awards through grants and other transactions to carry out ARPA-E. 
 
Requires the Director to establish within ARPA-E a staff to enable ARPA-E to carry out its responsibilities in conjunction with the operations of DOE. 
 
Requires the Director to designate ARPA-E employees to serve as program directors (under current law, as program managers). Eliminates the requirement that energy technology projects to be supported under a program established within ARPA-E shall be selected with advice from certain advisory committees, as appropriate. 
 
Includes as responsibilities of program directors the identification of: (1) innovative cost-sharing arrangements for ARPA-E projects, including through use of the authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for reducing or eliminating the 20% non-federal cost share requirement with respect to a research and development activity of an applied nature; and (2) mechanisms for commercial application of successful energy technology development projects, including through establishment of partnerships between awardees and commercial entities. 
 
Revises program manager terms. 
 
Revises the requirement for the compensation of the scientific, engineering, and professional personnel appointed by the Director. Modifies the restriction on the number of such personnel whom the Director has the authority to appoint. 
 
Extends the deadlines for submission of the strategic vision roadmaps to Congress. 
 
Instructs the Director to seek opportunities to partner with purchasing and procurement programs of federal agencies to demonstrate energy technologies resulting from activities funded through ARPA-E. 
 
Extends by two years the period under which the Secretary shall offer to contract with NAS for an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving its goals and mission and how lessons learned from the operation of ARPA-E may apply to the operation of other DOE programs. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to the Director to carry out the purposes of ARPA-E. 
 
Increases the percentage of the amount allocated for use for technology transfer and outreach activities of ARPA-E. 
 

Title X: Education 
- (Sec. 1002) Repeals specified provisions of the America COMPETES Act relating to math and science and critical foreign language education. 
 
(Sec. 1003) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 for the Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow program to carry out grant programs for baccalaureate degrees and master's degrees in STEM or critical foreign languages.
 
Decreases the amount of the non-federal match required with respect to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs in mathematics, science, or critical foreign languages. Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2013 to carry out such programs. 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2012 for grants to promote better alignment of secondary school graduation requirements with needed knowledge and skills to succeed in 21st century postsecondary endeavors and to establish or improve P-16 education data systems. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-04
text: Became Public Law No: 111-358.
action_date: 2011-01-04
text: Became Public Law No: 111-358.
action_date: 2011-01-04
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2011-01-04
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2010-12-28
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2010-12-28
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 130 (Roll no. 659). (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H8824-8841)
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 130 (Roll no. 659).(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H8824-8841)
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8890-8891)
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H8852)
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: DEBATE - The House continued with further debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Mr. Gordon (TN) moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H8823-8852)
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Gordon (TN) for a motion.
action_date: 2010-12-21
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1781 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5116, H.R. 2751 and H.R. 5142. Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116, consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 2751, and consideration of the Senate amendment H.R. 2142
action_date: 2010-12-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2010-12-17
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2010-12-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2010-12-17
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10451-10452)
action_date: 2010-12-17
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2010-12-17
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2010-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2010-06-09
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2010-05-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-05-28
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 - 150 (Roll no. 332).
action_date: 2010-05-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 - 150 (Roll no. 332).
action_date: 2010-05-28
text: Mr. Gordon of Tennessee demanded the question of adoption on the amendment be divided into each 9 of its components. The Chair announced that the question would be divided and began putting the question of adoption on each portion.
action_date: 2010-05-28
text: The Chair announced the unfinished business was the resumption of proceedings on H.R. 5116. At the time when proceedings had been postponed on May 13, 2010, the motion to recommit with instructions had been adopted and pursuant to the instructions contained in the motion, the amendment required to be reported back to the House had not yet been submitted. Pursuant to the instructions contained in the motion, the Chair recognized Mr. Gordon for the purpose of offering the amendment.
action_date: 2010-05-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4187-4194)
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, further proceedings on H.R. 5116 are postponed.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by recorded vote: 292 - 126 (Roll no. 270). (consideration: CR H3457)
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H3456)
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hall (TX) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back the House forthwith with amendments to strike various provisions in the bill and insert additional sections.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: Mr. Hall (TX) moved to recommit with instructions to Science and Technology. (consideration: CR H3455-3457; text: CR H3455)
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR 5/12/2010 H3364-3389)
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H3455)
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5116.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Gordon (TN) amendments en bloc.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on Schock amendment number 52.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on Salazar amendment number 51.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment number 50, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment number 50.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kratovil amendment number 44.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Halvorson amendment number 38, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Halvorson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Halvorson amendment number 38.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Chu amendment number 36.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2010-05-13
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3444-3457)
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5116 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: Mr. Gordon (TN) moved that the committee rise.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendmentments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Boccieri amendment number 34, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hall (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Boccieri amendment number 34.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gingrey (GA) amendment number 21.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gordon (TN) amendments en bloc.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Reyes amendment number 13, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Reyes demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Reyes amendment number 13.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the George Miller amendment number 12, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hall (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the George Miller amendment number 12.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Markey (MA) amendment number 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hall (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey (MA) amendment number 10.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gordon (TN) amendment number 8.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gordon (TN) amendment number 7.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Hall (TX) amendment number 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Hall (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hall (TX) amendment number 6.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gordon amendments en bloc number 1.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gordon (TN) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gordon (TN) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1344, the Committee of the Whole House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Gordon amendment number 1.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5116.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1344 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5116 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill modified by the amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution.
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1344. (consideration: CR H3356-3409)
action_date: 2010-05-12
text: Rule H. Res. 1344 passed House.
action_date: 2010-05-11
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1344 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5116 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill modified by the amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution.
action_date: 2010-05-07
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 271.
action_date: 2010-05-07
text: Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
action_date: 2010-05-07
text: Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
action_date: 2010-05-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-478, Part I.
action_date: 2010-05-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-478, Part I.
action_date: 2010-04-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2010-04-22
text: Referred to House Education and Labor
action_date: 2010-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2010-04-22
text: Referred to House Science and Technology
action_date: 2010-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2010-04-22
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 111-358