National Science Foundation Authorization and Science and Technology Equal Opportunities Act
PL 96-516 (S.568), enacted 12/12/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
94 STAT. 3007 
Public Law 96-516 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize appropriations for activities for the National Science Foundation for 
the fiscal year 1981, and to promote the full use of human resources in science 
and technology through a comprehensive and continuing program to increase 
substantially the contribution and advancement of women and minorities in 
scientific, professional, and technical careers, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be 
cited as the "National Science Foundation Authorization and Science 
and Technology Equal Opportunities Act". 
PART A—NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION 
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 11. There are authorized to be appropriated to the National 
Science Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the "Foundation") for 
the fiscal year 1981, the sums indicated for the following categories: 
(1) Mathematical and Physical Sciences, $259,800,000. 
(2) Astronomical, Atmospheric, Earth and Ocean Sciences, 
$237 100 000 
(3)'United States Antarctic Program, $64,200,000. 
(4) Ocean Drilling Programs, $22,000,000. 
(5) Biological, Behavioral, and Social Sciences, $182,000,000. 
(6) Science Education Programs, $91,200,000. 
(7)(A) Engineering, $62,615,000. 
(B) Applied Sciences, $74,385,000 of which not less than 12.5 
per centum shall be expended to small business concerns. 
(8) Scientific, 
Technological, and 
International 
Affairs, 
$28,000,000. 
(9) Cross-Directorate Programs, $33,200,000. 
(10) Program Development and Management, $60,000,000. 
AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 12. Appropriations made under authority provided in sections 
11 and 15 shall remain available for obligation, for expenditure, or for 
obligation and expenditure for periods specified in the Acts making 
the appropriations. 
Dec. 12, 1980 
[S. 568] 
National Science 
Foundation 
Authorization 
and Science and 
Technology 
Equal 
Opportunities 
Act. 
42 u s e 1861 
note. 
SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAMS 
SEC. 13. (a) Of the total amount authorized under section 11(6)— 
(1) not less than $1,500,000 shall be available for science 
education programs relating to Appropriate Technology; 
(2) not less than $2,400,000 shall be available for Science 
Faculty Improvement Programs, for year-long awards to experi-
enced, full-time, two- and four-year college and university science 
teachers who are involved primarily in undergraduate science 
instruction to increase their competence in science; 
94 STAT. 3008 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
(3) not less than $2,250,000 shall be available for the program 
Ethics and Values in Science and Technology; and 
(4) not less than $500,000 shall be available for the program 
Handicapped in Science. 
OD) Of the total amount authorized under sections 11(1), 11(2), 11(5), 
11(7)(A), and 11(7)(B) for equipment and instrumentation, not less 
than $5,000,000 shall be made available for grants to two- and four-
year colleges for equipment and instrumentation costing $35,000, or 
less. 
(c) Of the total amount authorized under sections 11(1), 11(2), 11(5), 
and 11(7), not less than $2,000,000 shall be available for the salaries of 
faculty members of two-year and four-year colleges that have only 
small or no doctoral programs in science and engineering or of 
universities that have very limited science and engineering pro-
grams, for the purpose of enabling them to participate in research 
projects at institutions other than the faculty members' home institu-
tions. 
(d) Of the total amount authorized under section 11(7)— 
(1) not less than $19,400,000 shall be available for Earthquake 
Hazards Mitigation; 
(2) not less than $1,000,000 shall be available for the Small 
Business Innovation Program, for projects to aid the handi-
capped; 
(3) not less than $3,000,000 shall be available for Research and 
Development in Appropriate Technology; 
(4) not less than $5,000,000 shall be available for a Center for 
Innovation Development to be located in an area which experi-
enced an unemployment rate in excess of 10 per centum in 1979, 
and which is centrally located to serve several major metropoli-
tan centers; and 
(5) not less than $1,800,000 shall be available for the establish-
ment and operation of three university-based 
Innovation 
Centers. 
(e) Of the total amount authorized under section 11(8), $14,500,000 
is authorized for International Cooperative Science Activities. 
(f) Of the total amount authorized under section 11(9), not more 
than $1,600,000 is authorized for United States/Union Soviet Social-
ist Republics cooperative research, no portion of which shall be 
expended until the President has certified in writing to the Congress 
that such expenditures shall be of direct and very substantial benefit 
to the United States of America. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Study, report to 
Congress. 
OCEAN MARGIN DRILLING PROJECT REPORT 
SEC. 14. (a) The Foundation shall prepare a report on the Ocean 
Margin Drilling Project and shall transmit the report to Congress not 
later than December 31,1980. The report shall include— 
(1) plans for conversion of the Glomar Explorer or other 
drilling platform; 
(2) plans for drilling; 
(3) detailed cost estimates; 
(4) a discussion of the feasibility and cost of alternative drilling 
platforms; 
(5) plans for funding; and 
(6) other plans. 
(b) The National Academy of Sciences shall study marine earth 
sciences research and report to the Congress. 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
94 STAT. 3009 
(c) To the extent permitted by law, all Federal funding of the Ocean 
Margin Drilling Project shall be provided from the Windfall Profit 
Tax Account. 
OFFICIAL EXPENSES 
SEC. 15. From appropriations made under this Act, not more than 
$5,000 for fiscal year 1981 may be used for official consultation, 
representation, or other extraordinary expenses at the discretion of 
the Director of the National Science Foundation (hereinafter referred 
to as the "Director"). His determination will be final and conclusive 
upon the accounting officers of the Government. 
FOREIGN CURRENCY 
SEC. 16. Besides the sums authorized by section 11, not more than 
$5,500,000 for fiscal year 1981 are authorized to be appropriated for 
expenses of the National Science Foundation incurred outside the 
United States, to be drawn from foreign currencies that the Treasury 
Department determines to be excess to the normal requirements of 
the United States. 
TRANSFER AUTHORITY 
SEC. 17. (a) Funds may be transferred among the categories listed in 
section 11, so long as the net funds transferred to or from any 
category do not exceed 10 per centum of the amount authorized for 
that category in section 11. 
(b) The Director of the Foundation may propose transfers to or from 
any category exceeding 10 per centum of the amounts authorized for 
that category in section 11 or available for that category after the 
application of section 19. Such a proposed transfer must be explained 
and transmitted in writing to the Speaker of the House, the President 
of the Senate, and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human 
Resources and the House Committee on Science and Technology. The 
proposed transfer may be made only when— 
(1) thirty calendar days have passed after submission of the 
written proposal, or 
(2) the chairman of the House Committee on Science and 
Technology and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor 
and Human Resources have each written the Director to the 
effect that the respective committee has no objection to the 
proposed transfer. 
Transfer of 
funds. 
Proposed 
transfer, 
submittal to 
congressional 
committees. 
DIRECTORATE CONSOLIDATION 
SEC. 18. The National Science Foundation is directed to consolidate 
all Directorates, including the Science Education Directorate, under 
one roof, in the present location of the central administrative offices, 
on or before August 1,1982. 
42 u s e 1866 
note. 
RATABLE REDUCTION 
SEC. 19. If the total amount of appropriations made by any Act for 
program activities included in section 11 and section 13 for the fiscal 
year 1981 is less than the total amount authorized to be appropriated 
for those activities by section 11 and section 13, the amount available 
from such appropriations for any particular program activity shall 
bear the same ratio to the amount authorized to be appropriated for 
that activity by section 11 and section 13 as the total amount of the 
appropriations made by such appropriation Act for all included 
94 STAT. 3010 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
program activities bears to the total amount authorized to be appro-
priated for those activities by section 11 and section 13 (with each 
ceihng and floor set forth in section 11 and section 13 being reduced in 
the same ratio for purposes of determining the amounts so available), 
except to the extent specifically otherwise provided in the text of the 
Act making the appropriations for the program activities involved. 
42 u s e 1864 
note. 
GRANT TITLES 
SEC. 20. The Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
require the titles of all its grants to contain a brief statement of the 
purpose of the research being undertaken. Insofar as possible such 
statements shall be in layman's language. 
42 u s e 1863. 
Repeal. 
42 u s e 1874. 
42 u s e 1875. 
AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACT OF 1950 
SEC. 21. (a) Section 4(c) of the National Science Foundation Act of 
1950 is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following 
new sentence: "In making nominations under this section, the 
President shall give due regard to equitable representation of scien-
tists who are women or who represent minority groups.". 
(b)(1) Section 15(c) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 is 
repealed. 
(2) Subsection (d) of section 15 of such Act is redesignated as 
subsection (c). 
(c) Section 16 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 is 
amended to read as follows: 
42 u s e 1881. 
42 u s e 1881a. 
Science and 
Technology 
Equal 
Opportunities 
Act. 
42 u s e 1861 
note. 
APPROPRIATIONS 
"SEC. 16. To enable the Foundation to carry out its powers and 
duties, only such sums may be appropriated as the Congress may 
authorize by law.". 
A M E N D M E N T S TO AWARDS 
SEC. 22. (a)(1) Section 2(a) of the Act entitled "An Act to establish a 
National Medal of Science to provide recognition for individuals who 
make outstanding contributions in the physical, biological, math-
ematical, and engineering sciences" approved August 25, 1959, is 
amended by striking "or engineering" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"engineering, behavioral or social". 
(2) The title of such Act is amended by striking out "and engineer-
ing" and inserting in lieu thereof "engineering, behavioral, and 
social". 
(b) Section 6(a) of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
Act, 1976 is amended by inserting after "engineering" a comma and 
the following: "behavioral, social". 
PART B—WOMEN, MINORITIES, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY 
SHORT TITLE 
SEC. 31. This part may be cited as the "Science and Technology 
Equal Opportunities Act". 
FINDINGS AND POUCY 
42 use 1885. 
SEC. 32. (a) The Congress finds that it is in the national interest to 
promote the full use of human resources in science and technology 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
94 STAT. 3011 
and to insure the full development and use of the scientific talent and 
technical skills of men and women, equally, of all ethnic, racial, and 
economic backgrounds. 
(b) The Congress declares it is the policy of the United States to 
encourage men and women, equally, of all ethnic, racial, and eco-
nomic backgrounds to acquire skills in science and mathematics, to 
have equal opportunity in education, training, and employment in 
scientific and technical fields, and thereby to promote scientific 
literacy and the full use of the human resources of the Nation in 
science and technology. To this end, the Congress declares that the 
highest quality science over the long-term requires substantial sup-
port, from currently available research and educational funds, for 
increased participation in science and technology by women and 
minorities. The Congress further declares that the impact on women 
and minorities which is produced by advances in science and technol-
ogy must be included as essential factors in national and interna-
tional science, technology, and economic policies. 
WOMEN IN SCIENCE 
SEC. 33. The Foundation is authorized to— 
(1) support activities designed to— 
(A) increase the participation of women in courses of study 
at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels 
leading to degrees in scientific and technical fields; 
(B) encourage women to consider and prepare for careers 
in science and technology; or 
(C) provide traineeship and fellowship opportunities for 
women in science and technology; 
(2) support programs in science and mathematics in elemen-
tary and secondary schools so as to stimulate the acquisition of 
knowledge, skills, and information by female students and to 
increase female student awareness of career opportunities 
requiring scientific and technical skills; 
(3) support activities in continuing education in science and 
engineering which provide opportunities for women who— 
(A) are in the work force, or 
(B) who are not in the work force because their careers 
have been interrupted, 
to acquire new knowledge, techniques, and skills in scientific and 
technical fields; 
(4) undertake a comprehensive research program designed to 
increase public understanding of (A) the potential contribution of 
women in science and technology and (B) the means to facilitate 
the participation and advancement of women in scientific and 
technical careers; 
(5) establish a visiting women scientists program; 
(6) support activities designed to improve the availability and 
quality of public information concerning the importance of the 
participation of women in careers in science and technology; 
(7) support activities of museums and science centers which 
demonstrate potential to interest and involve women in science 
and technology; 
(8) make grants, to be known as the National Research Oppor-
tunity Grants, to women scientists who (A) have received their 
doctorates within five years prior to the date of the award or (B) 
have received their doctorates, have had their careers inter-
42 u s e 1885a. 
National 
Research 
Opportunity 
Grants. 
94 STAT. 3012 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
Science 
education 
program. 
42 u s e 1885b. 
Report to 
congressional 
committee. 
Report to 
Congress. 
42 u s e 1885 
note. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Establishment. 
42 u s e 1885c. 
rupted, and are re-entering the work force within five years after 
such interruption; 
(9) make grants to women eligible under paragraph (8) to assist 
such women in planning and developing a research project 
eligible for support under such paragraph; 
(10) provide support to individuals or academic institutions for 
full-time or part-time visiting professorships for women in sci-
ence; and 
(11) support demonstration project activities of individuals, 
public agencies, and private entities designed to encourage the 
employment and advancement of women in science, engineering, 
and technology. 
MINORITIES IN SCIENCE 
SEC. 34. (a) The Foundation is authorized (1) to undertake or 
support a comprehensive science education program to increase the 
participation of minorities in science and technology, and (2) to 
support activities to initiate research at minority institutions. 
(b) By September 30, 1981, the Director, with the advice and 
assistance of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and 
Technology established in section 36, shall prepare and transmit to 
the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives a report proposing a comprehensive and continuing program at 
the Foundation to promote the full participation of minorities in 
science and technology. Such report shall contain budgetary and 
legislative recommendations for the carrying out of such program by 
the Foundation. 
NATIONAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT 
SEC. 35. (a) By January 20,1982, the President, with the assistance 
of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the 
Director of the Foundation, shall prepare and transmit a report to 
the Congress proposing a comprehensive national policy and pro-
gram, including budgetary and legislative recommendations, for the 
promotion of equal opportunity for women and minorities in science 
and technology. 
(b) On or before January 1,1983, the President, with the assistance 
of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the 
heads of appropriate executive departments, and the Director of the 
Foundation shall prepare and transmit a report to the Congress 
proposing a comprehensive policy, including budgetary and legisla-
tive recommendations, concerning the direct and indirect impacts of 
science and technology on women and minorities. 
COMMITTEE ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
SEC, 36. (a) There is established within the Foundation a Committee 
on Equal Opportunities in Science and Technology (hereinafter 
referred to as the "Committee"). The Committee shall provide advice 
to the Foundation concerning (1) the implementation of the provi-
sions of this Act and (2) other policies and activities of the Foundation 
to encourage full participation of women, minorities, and other 
groups currently underrepresented in scientific engineering, profes-
sional, and technical fields. 
(b) Each member of the Committee shall be appointed by the 
Director with the concurrence of the National Science Board. The 
Chairperson of the National Science Board Committee on Minorities 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
94 STAT. 3013 
and Women shall be an ex officio member of the Committee. 
Members of the Committee shall be appointed to serve for a three-
year term, and may be reappointed to serve one additional term of 
three years. 
(c) There shall be a subcommittee of the Committee which shall be 
known as the Subcommittee on Women in Science and Technology. 
The Subcommittee on Women in Science and Technology shall have 
responsibility for all Committee matters relating to (1) the participa-
tion in and opportunities for the education, training, and research of 
women in science and technology and (2) the impact of science and 
technology on women. The Subcommittee shall be composed of all the 
women members of the Committee and such other members of the 
Committee as the Committee may designate. 
(d) There shall be a subcommittee of the Committee which shall be 
known as the Subcommittee on Minorities in Science and Technol-
ogy. The Subcommittee on Minorities in Science and Technology 
shall have responsibility for all Committee matters relating to (1) the 
participation in and opportunities for education, training, and 
research for minorities in science and technology and (2) the impact 
of science and technology on minorities. The Subcommittee shall be 
composed of all minority members of the Committee and such other 
members of the Committee as the Committee may designate. 
(e) The Committee may organize such additional standing or ad hoc 
subcommittees as the Committee finds appropriate. 
(f) Each year the Committee shall prepare and transmit to the 
Director a report concerning its activities during the previous year 
and its proposed activities for the next year. The Director shall 
transmit to Congress the report, unaltered, along with comments. 
Term. 
Subcommittee 
on Women in 
Science and 
Technology. 
Subcommittee 
on Minorities in 
Science and 
Technology. 
Report to 
Director and 
Congress. 
BIENNIAL REPORT 
SEC. 37. (a) By January 30, 1982, and biennially thereafter, the 
Director shall simultaneously transmit a report to the Congress, the 
Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Science and Technol-
ogy Policy, the Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, the 
Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services. 
(b) The report required by subsection (a) shall contain— 
(1) an accounting and comparison, by sex, race, and ethnic 
group and by discipline, of the participation of women and men 
in scientific and technical positions, including— 
(A) the number of individuals in permanent and tempo-
rary and in full-time and part-time scientific and technical 
positions by appropriate level or similar category; 
(B) the average salary of individuals in such scientific and 
technical positions; 
(C) the number and type of promotional opportunities 
realized by individuals in such scientific and technical 
positions; 
(D) the number of individuals serving as principal investi-
gators in federally conducted or federally 
supported 
research and development; and 
(E) the unemployment rate of individuals seeking scien-
tific and technical positions; 
(2) an assessment, including quantitative and other data, of the 
proportion of women and minorities studying scientific and 
Report to 
Congress and 
certain Federal 
agencies. 
42 u s e 1885d. 
Contents. 
79-194 
O—81—pt. 3 
24 : QL3 
94 STAT. 3014 
PUBLIC LAW 96-516—DEC. 12, 1980 
technical fields, including mathematics and computer skills, at 
all educational levels; and 
(3) such other data, analyses, and evaluations as the Director, 
acting on the advice of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in 
Science and Technology, determines appropriate to carry out the 
Foundation's functions as well as the policies and programs of 
this Act. 
SEVERABILITY 
42 use 1885 
SEC. 38. If a provision of this Act is held invalid, the validity of the 
"° 
other provisions of the Act shall not be affected. If an application of 
a provision of this Act to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the 
validity of the application of the provisions to another person or 
circumstance shall not be affected. 
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 39. Of the sums appropriated for the National Science Founda-
tion pursuant to section 11, not less then $30,000,000 shall be 
available in fiscal year 1981 to carry out the provisions of this part. 
Approved December 12, 1980, 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 96-999 accompanying H.R. 7115 (Comm. on Science and 
Technology) and No. 96-1474 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 96-713 (Comm. on Labor and Human Resources) and No. 
96-1028 (Comm. of Conference). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
June 16, H.R. 7115 considered in House. 
June 23, S. 568 considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 4, H.R. 7115 considered and passed House; passage vacated and S. 568, 
amended, passed in lieu. 
Nov. 21, Senate agreed to conference report. 
Dec. 2, House agreed to conference report.