American Innovation and Competitiveness Act
PL 114-329 (S.3084), enacted 01/06/2017

130 STAT. 2969 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
Public Law 114–329 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the 
competitiveness of the United States. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH 
Sec. 101. Reaffirmation of merit-based peer review. 
Sec. 102. Transparency and accountability. 
Sec. 103. EPSCoR reaffirmation and update. 
Sec. 104. Cybersecurity research. 
Sec. 105. Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Up-
date. 
Sec. 106. Physical sciences coordination. 
Sec. 107. Laboratory program improvements. 
Sec. 108. Standard Reference Data Act update. 
Sec. 109. NSF mid-scale project investments. 
Sec. 110. Oversight of NSF major multi-user research facility projects. 
Sec. 111. Personnel oversight. 
Sec. 112. Management of the U.S. Antarctic Program. 
Sec. 113. NIST campus security. 
Sec. 114. Coordination of sustainable chemistry research and development. 
Sec. 115. Misrepresentation of research results. 
Sec. 116. Research reproducibility and replication. 
Sec. 117. Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initia-
tive. 
TITLE II—ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION 
Sec. 201. Interagency working group on research regulation. 
Sec. 202. Scientific and technical collaboration. 
Sec. 203. NIST grants and cooperative agreements update. 
Sec. 204. Repeal of certain obsolete reports. 
Sec. 205. Repeal of certain provisions. 
Sec. 206. Grant subrecipient transparency and oversight. 
Sec. 207. Micro-purchase threshold for procurement solicitations by research insti-
tutions. 
Sec. 208. Coordination of international science and technology partnerships. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH 
EDUCATION 
Sec. 301. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program update. 
Sec. 302. Space grants. 
Sec. 303. STEM Education Advisory Panel. 
Sec. 304. Committee on STEM Education. 
American 
Innovation and 
Competitiveness 
Act. 
42 USC 1861 
note. 
Jan. 6, 2017 
[S. 3084] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01005
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6582
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2970 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
Sec. 305. Programs to expand STEM opportunities. 
Sec. 306. NIST education and outreach. 
Sec. 307. Presidential awards for excellence in STEM mentoring. 
Sec. 308. Working group on inclusion in STEM fields. 
Sec. 309. Improving undergraduate STEM experiences. 
Sec. 310. Computer science education research. 
Sec. 311. Informal STEM education. 
Sec. 312. Developing STEM apprenticeships. 
Sec. 313. NSF report on broadening participation. 
Sec. 314. NOAA science education programs. 
Sec. 315. Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program update. 
TITLE IV—LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR 
Sec. 401. Prize competition authority update. 
Sec. 402. Crowdsourcing and citizen science. 
Sec. 403. NIST director functions update. 
Sec. 404. NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology update. 
TITLE V—MANUFACTURING 
Sec. 501. Hollings manufacturing extension partnership improvements. 
TITLE VI—INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
Sec. 601. Innovation corps. 
Sec. 602. Translational research grants. 
Sec. 603. Optics and photonics technology innovations. 
Sec. 604. United States chief technology officer. 
Sec. 605. National research council study on technology for emergency notifications 
on campuses. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, unless expressly provided otherwise: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CONGRESS.—The term 
‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) FEDERAL SCIENCE AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal science 
agency’’ has the meaning given the term in section 103 of 
the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 6623). 
(3) FOUNDATION.—The term ‘‘Foundation’’ means the 
National Science Foundation. 
(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The term ‘‘institu-
tion of higher education’’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(5) NIST.—The term ‘‘NIST’’ means the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology. 
(6) STEM.—The term ‘‘STEM’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 2 of the American COMPETES Reauthorization 
Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note). 
(7) STEM EDUCATION.—The term ‘‘STEM education’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 2 of the STEM Education 
Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note). 
TITLE I—MAXIMIZING BASIC RESEARCH 
SEC. 101. REAFFIRMATION OF MERIT-BASED PEER REVIEW. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) sustained, predictable Federal funding of basic research 
is essential to United States leadership in science and tech-
nology; 
42 USC 1862s. 
42 USC 1862s 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01006
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2971 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(2) the Foundation’s intellectual merit and broader impacts 
criteria are appropriate for evaluating grant proposals, as con-
cluded by the 2011 National Science Board Task Force on 
Merit Review; 
(3) evaluating proposals on the basis of the Foundation’s 
intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria should be used 
to assure that the Foundation’s activities are in the national 
interest as these reviews can affirm that— 
(A) the proposals funded by the Foundation are of 
high quality and advance scientific knowledge; and 
(B) the Foundation’s grants address societal needs 
through basic research findings or through related activi-
ties; and 
(4) as evidenced by the Foundation’s contributions to sci-
entific advancement, economic growth, human health, and 
national security, its peer review and merit review processes 
have identified and funded scientifically and societally relevant 
basic research and should be preserved. 
(b) MERIT REVIEW CRITERIA.—The Foundation shall maintain 
the intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria, among other 
specific criteria as appropriate, as the basis for evaluating grant 
proposals in the merit review process. 
(c) UPDATES.—If after the date of enactment of this Act a 
change is made to the merit-review process, the Director shall 
submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress not 
later than 30 days after the date of the change. 
SEC. 102. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) FINDINGS.— 
(1) building the understanding of and confidence in invest-
ments in basic research is essential to public support for sus-
tained, predictable Federal funding; 
(2) the Foundation has improved transparency and account-
ability of the outcomes made through the merit review process, 
but additional transparency into individual grants is valuable 
in communicating and assuring the public value of federally 
funded research; and 
(3) the Foundation should commit to transparency and 
accountability and to clear, consistent public communication 
regarding the national interest for each Foundation-awarded 
grant and cooperative agreement. 
(b) GUIDANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
issue and periodically update, as appropriate, policy guidance 
for both Foundation staff and other Foundation merit review 
process participants on the importance of transparency and 
accountability to the outcomes made through the merit review 
process. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The guidance under paragraph (1) 
shall require that each public notice of a Foundation-funded 
research project justify the expenditure of Federal funds by— 
(A) describing how the project— 
(i) reflects the statutory mission of the Foundation, 
as established in the National Science Foundation Act 
of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.); and 
(ii) addresses the Foundation’s intellectual merit 
and broader impacts criteria; and 
42 USC 1862s–1. 
Reports. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01007
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2972 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(B) clearly identifying the research goals of the project 
in a manner that can be easily understood by both technical 
and non-technical audiences. 
(c) BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERION UPDATE.—Section 
526(a) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 
(42 U.S.C. 1862p–14(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) GOALS.—The Foundation shall apply a broader impacts 
review criterion to identify and demonstrate project support of 
the following goals: 
‘‘(1) Increasing the economic competitiveness of the United 
States. 
‘‘(2) Advancing of the health and welfare of the American 
public. 
‘‘(3) Supporting the national defense of the United States. 
‘‘(4) Enhancing partnerships between academia and 
industry in the United States. 
‘‘(5) Developing an American STEM workforce that is glob-
ally competitive through improved pre-kindergarten through 
grade 12 STEM education and teacher development, and 
improved undergraduate STEM education and instruction. 
‘‘(6) Improving public scientific literacy and engagement 
with science and technology in the United States. 
‘‘(7) Expanding participation of women and individuals from 
underrepresented groups in STEM.’’. 
SEC. 103. EPSCOR REAFFIRMATION AND UPDATE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Section 517(a) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p–9(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The National’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
National’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘education,’’ and inserting ‘‘education’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘with 27 States’’ and 
all that follows through the semicolon at the end and inserting 
‘‘with 28 States and jurisdictions, taken together, receiving 
only about 12 percent of all National Science Foundation 
research funding;’’; 
(3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) each of the States described in paragraph (2) receives 
only a fraction of 1 percent of the Foundation’s research dollars 
each year;’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) first established at the National Science Foundation 
in 1979, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research (referred to in this section as ‘EPSCoR’) assists States 
and jurisdictions historically underserved by Federal research 
and development funding in strengthening their research and 
innovation capabilities; 
‘‘(5) the EPSCoR structure requires each participating State 
to develop a science and technology plan suited to State and 
local research, education, and economic interests and objectives; 
‘‘(6) EPSCoR has been credited with advancing the research 
competitiveness of participating States, improving awareness 
of science, promoting policies that link scientific investment 
and economic growth, and encouraging partnerships between 
government, industry, and academia; 
Applicability. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01008
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2973 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(7) EPSCoR proposals are evaluated through a rigorous 
and competitive merit-review process to ensure that awarded 
research and development efforts meet high scientific stand-
ards; and 
‘‘(8) according to the National Academy of Sciences, 
EPSCoR has strengthened the national research infrastructure 
and enhanced the educational opportunities needed to develop 
the science and engineering workforce.’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(A) since maintaining the Nation’s scientific and eco-
nomic leadership requires the participation of talented 
individuals nationwide, EPSCoR investments into State 
research and education capacities are in the Federal 
interest and should be sustained; and 
(B) EPSCoR should maintain its experimental compo-
nent by supporting innovative methods for improving 
research capacity and competitiveness. 
(2) DEFINITION OF EPSCOR.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘EPSCoR’’ has the meaning given the term in section 502 
of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 
U.S.C. 1862p note). 
(c) AWARD STRUCTURE UPDATES.—Section 517 of the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p–9) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) AWARD STRUCTURE UPDATES.—In implementing the man-
date to maximize the impact of Federal EPSCoR support on building 
competitive research infrastructure, and based on the inputs and 
recommendations of previous EPSCoR reviews, the head of each 
Federal agency administering an EPSCoR program shall— 
‘‘(1) consider modifications to EPSCoR proposal solicitation, 
award type, and project evaluation— 
‘‘(A) to more closely align with current agency priorities 
and initiatives; 
‘‘(B) to focus EPSCoR funding on achieving critical 
scientific, infrastructure, and educational needs of that 
agency; 
‘‘(C) to encourage collaboration between EPSCoR- 
eligible institutions and researchers, including with institu-
tions and researchers in other States and jurisdictions; 
‘‘(D) to improve communication between State and Fed-
eral agency proposal reviewers; and 
‘‘(E) to continue to reduce administrative burdens asso-
ciated with EPSCoR; 
‘‘(2) consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures— 
‘‘(A) to emphasize long-term investments in building 
research capacity, potentially through the use of larger, 
renewable funding opportunities; and 
‘‘(B) to allow the agency, States, and jurisdictions to 
experiment with new research and development funding 
models; and 
‘‘(3) consider modifications to the mechanisms used to mon-
itor and evaluate EPSCoR awards— 
‘‘(A) to increase collaboration between EPSCoR-funded 
researchers and agency staff, including by providing 
opportunities for mentoring young researchers and for the 
use of Federal facilities; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01009
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2974 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(B) to identify and disseminate best practices; and 
‘‘(C) to harmonize metrics across participating Federal 
agencies, as appropriate.’’. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS.—Section 517 of the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p– 
9), as amended, is further amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (c); 
(B) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as 
subsections (c) through (f), respectively; 
(C) in subsection (c), as redesignated— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Experimental Pro-
grams 
to 
Stimulate 
Competitive 
Research’’ 
and 
inserting ‘‘EPSCoR’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
(I) in subparagraphs (A) and (E), by striking 
‘‘EPSCoR and Federal EPSCoR-like programs’’ and 
inserting ‘‘each EPSCoR’’; 
(II) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘EPSCoR 
and other Federal EPSCoR-like programs’’ and 
inserting ‘‘each EPSCoR’’; 
(III) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘EPSCoR 
or Federal EPSCoR-like programs’’ and inserting 
‘‘each EPSCoR’’; and 
(IV) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘EPSCoR 
programs’’ and inserting ‘‘each EPSCoR’’; and 
(D) by amending subsection (d), as redesignated, to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(d) FEDERAL AGENCY REPORTS.—Each Federal agency that 
administers an EPSCoR shall submit to Congress, as part of its 
Federal budget submission— 
‘‘(1) a description of the program strategy and objectives; 
‘‘(2) a description of the awards made in the previous 
fiscal year, including— 
‘‘(A) the total amount made available, by State, under 
EPSCoR; 
‘‘(B) the total amount of agency funding made available 
to all institutions and entities within each EPSCoR State; 
‘‘(C) the efforts and accomplishments to more fully 
integrate the EPSCoR States in major agency activities 
and initiatives; 
‘‘(D) the percentage of EPSCoR reviewers from EPSCoR 
States; and 
‘‘(E) the number of programs or large collaborator 
awards involving a partnership of organizations and 
institutions from EPSCoR and non-EPSCoR States; and 
‘‘(3) an analysis of the gains in academic research quality 
and competitiveness, and in science and technology human 
resource development, achieved by the program over the last 
5 fiscal years.’’; and 
(E) in subsection (e)(1), as redesignated, by striking 
‘‘Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 
or a program similar to the Experimental Program to 
Stimulate Competitive Research’’ and inserting ‘‘EPSCoR’’. 
(2) RESULTS OF AWARD STRUCTURE PLAN.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the EPSCoR 
Interagency Coordinating Committee shall brief the appropriate 
Deadline. 
Briefing. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01010
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2975 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
committees of Congress on the updates made to the award 
structure under 517(f) of the America COMPETES Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p–9(f)), as amended by this 
subsection. 
(e) DEFINITION OF EPSCOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 502 of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p note) is amended 
by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) EPSCOR.—The term ‘EPSCoR’ means— 
‘‘(A) the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research established by the Foundation; or 
‘‘(B) a program similar to the Established Program 
to Stimulate Competitive Research at another Federal 
agency.’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL
AND
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
113 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g) is amended— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘EXPERIMENTAL’’ and 
inserting ‘‘ESTABLISHED’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘an Experimental 
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research’’ and inserting 
‘‘a program to stimulate competitive research (known as 
the 
‘Established 
Program 
to 
Stimulate 
Competitive 
Research’)’’; and 
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘the program’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Program’’. 
SEC. 104. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH. 
(a) FOUNDATION CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH.—Section 4(a)(1) of 
the Cyber Security Research and Development Act, as amended 
(15 U.S.C. 7403(a)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (O), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (P), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(Q) security of election-dedicated voting system soft-
ware and hardware; and 
‘‘(R) role of the human factor in cybersecurity and 
the interplay of computers and humans and the physical 
world.’’. 
(b) NIST CYBERSECURITY PRIORITIES.— 
(1) CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AWARENESS.—The Director 
of NIST shall continue to raise public awareness of the vol-
untary, industry-led cybersecurity standards and best practices 
for critical infrastructure developed under section 2(c)(15) of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
U.S.C. 272(c)(15)). 
(2) QUANTUM
COMPUTING.—Under section 2(b) of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
272(b)) and section 20 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–3), the 
Director of NIST shall— 
(A) research information systems for future cybersecu-
rity needs; and 
(B) coordinate with relevant stakeholders to develop 
a process— 
(i) to research and identify or, if necessary, develop 
cryptography standards and guidelines for future 
15 USC 272 note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01011
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2976 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
cybersecurity 
needs, 
including 
quantum-resistant 
cryptography standards; and 
(ii) to provide recommendations to Congress, Fed-
eral agencies, and industry consistent with the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act 
of 1995 (Public Law 104–113; 110 Stat. 775), for a 
secure and smooth transition to the standards under 
clause (i). 
(3) 
FEDERAL
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
RESEARCH
AND 
DEVELOPMENT.—Section 20(d)(3) of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–3(d)(3)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) conduct research and analysis— 
‘‘(A) to determine the nature and extent of information 
security vulnerabilities and techniques for providing cost- 
effective information security; 
‘‘(B) to review and determine prevalent information 
security challenges and deficiencies identified by agencies 
or the Institute, including any challenges or deficiencies 
described in any of the annual reports under section 3553 
or 3554 of title 44, United States Code, and in any of 
the reports and the independent evaluations under section 
3555 of that title, that may undermine the effectiveness 
of agency information security programs and practices; and 
‘‘(C) to evaluate the effectiveness and sufficiency of, 
and challenges to, Federal agencies’ implementation of 
standards and guidelines developed under this section and 
policies and standards promulgated under section 11331 
of title 40, United States Code;’’. 
(4) VOTING.—Section 2(c) of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (16) through (23) as 
paragraphs (17) through (24), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following: 
‘‘(16) perform research to support the development of vol-
untary, consensus-based, industry-led standards and rec-
ommendations on the security of computers, computer net-
works, and computer data storage used in election systems 
to ensure voters can vote securely and privately.’’. 
SEC. 105. NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Networking 
and Information Technology Research and Development Moderniza-
tion Act of 2016’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Section 2 of the High-Performance Computing 
Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501) is amended— 
(1) in paragraphs (2) and (5), by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and information tech-
nology, including high-performance computing,’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘high-performance com-
puting’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and information technology, 
including high-performance computing’’; 
(c) PURPOSES.—Section 3 of the High-Performance Computing 
Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5502) is amended— 
Networking and 
Information 
Technology 
Research and 
Development 
Modernization 
Act of 2016. 
15 USC 5501 
note. 
Evaluation. 
Review. 
Analysis. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01012
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2977 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘high- 
performance computing’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and 
information technology’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘expanding Federal support for research, develop-
ment, and application of high-performance computing’’ and 
inserting ‘‘supporting Federal research, development, and 
application of networking and information technology’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing’’ both places it appears and inserting ‘‘net-
working and information technology’’; 
(C) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D); 
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: 
‘‘(C) stimulate research on and promote more rapid 
development of high-end computing systems software and 
applications software;’’; 
(E) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (H) 
as subparagraphs (D) through (G), respectively; 
(F) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by inserting 
‘‘high-end’’ after ‘‘the development of’’; 
(G) in subparagraphs (E) and (F), as redesignated, 
by striking ‘‘high-performance computing’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘networking and information tech-
nology’’; and 
(H) in subparagraph (G), as redesignated, by striking 
‘‘high-performance’’ and inserting ‘‘high-end’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘high-performance computing and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘networking and information technology and’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘high-performance computing network’’ 
and inserting ‘‘networking and information technology’’. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—Section 4 of the High-Performance Com-
puting Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (6), and (7) 
as paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (8), and (9), respectively; 
(3) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
following: 
‘‘(1) ‘cyber-physical systems’ means physical or engineered 
systems whose networking and information technology func-
tions and physical elements are deeply integrated and are 
actively connected to the physical world through sensors, actu-
ators, or other means to enable safe and effective, real-time 
performance in safety-critical and other applications;’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘high- 
performance computing’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and 
information technology’’; 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3), as redesignated, the 
following: 
‘‘(4) ‘high-end computing’ means the most advanced and 
capable computing systems, including their hardware, storage, 
networking and software, encompassing both massive computa-
tional capability and large-scale data analytics to solve com-
putational problems of national importance that are beyond 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01013
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2978 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
the capability of small- to medium-scale systems, including 
computing formerly known as high-performance computing;’’; 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated, the 
following: 
‘‘(6) ‘networking and information technology’ means high- 
end computing, communications, and information technologies, 
high-capacity and high-speed networks, special purpose and 
experimental systems, high-end computing systems software 
and applications software, and the management of large data 
sets; 
‘‘(7) ‘participating agency’ means an agency described in 
section 101(a)(3)(C);’’; and 
(7) in paragraph (8), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘National 
High-Performance Computing Program’’ and inserting ‘‘Net-
working and Information Technology Research and Develop-
ment Program’’. 
(e) TITLE I HEADING.—The heading of title I of the High- 
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is 
amended by striking ‘‘HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING’’ 
and inserting ‘‘NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECH-
NOLOGY’’. 
(f) NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.—Section 101 of the High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5511) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘NATIONAL HIGH- 
PERFORMANCE
COMPUTING
PROGRAM’’ and inserting ‘‘NET-
WORKING
AND
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH
AND 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘NATIONAL 
HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING PROGRAM’’ and inserting 
‘‘NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘National High-Performance Computing Pro-
gram’’ and inserting ‘‘Networking and Information 
Technology Research and Development Program’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘high-perform-
ance computing, including networking’’ and inserting 
‘‘networking and information technology’’; 
(iii) in subparagraphs (B) and (G), by striking 
‘‘high-performance’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘high-end’’; 
(iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘high- 
performance computing and networking’’ and inserting 
‘‘high-end computing, distributed, and networking’’; 
(v) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(D) provide for efforts to increase software security 
and reliability;’’; 
(vi) in subparagraph (H)— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘support and guidance’’ after 
‘‘provide’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(vii) in subparagraph (I)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01014
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2979 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(I) by striking ‘‘improving the security’’ and 
inserting ‘‘improving the security, reliability, and 
resilience’’; and 
(II) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting a semicolon; and 
(viii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(J) provide for increased understanding of the sci-
entific principles of cyber-physical systems and improve 
the methods available for the design, development, and 
operation of cyber-physical systems that are characterized 
by high reliability, safety, and security; 
‘‘(K) provide for research and development on human- 
computer interactions, visualization, and big data; 
‘‘(L) provide for research and development on the 
enhancement of cybersecurity, including the human facets 
of cyber threats and secure cyber systems; 
‘‘(M) provide for the understanding of the science, 
engineering, policy, and privacy protection related to net-
working and information technology; 
‘‘(N) provide for the transition of high-end computing 
hardware, system software, development tools, and applica-
tions into development and operations; and 
‘‘(O) foster public-private collaboration among govern-
ment, industry research laboratories, academia, and non-
profit organizations to maximize research and development 
efforts and the benefits of networking and information 
technology, including high-end computing.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal net-
working and information technology research, development, 
education, and other activities;’’; 
(ii) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(C) provide for interagency coordination of Federal 
networking and information technology research, develop-
ment, education, and other activities undertaken pursuant 
to the Program— 
‘‘(i) among the participating agencies; and 
‘‘(ii) to the extent practicable, with other Federal 
agencies not described in paragraph (3)(C), other Fed-
eral and private research laboratories, industry, 
research entities, institutions of higher education, rel-
evant nonprofit organizations, and international part-
ners of the United States;’’; 
(iii) by amending subparagraph (E) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(E) encourage and monitor the efforts of the agencies 
participating in the Program to allocate the level of 
resources and management attention necessary to ensure 
that the strategic plans under subsection (e) are developed 
and executed effectively and that the objectives of the Pro-
gram are met; and’’; and 
(iv) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘high-perform-
ance’’ and inserting ‘‘high-end’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (3)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01015
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2980 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), 
and (E) as subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), and (G), respec-
tively; 
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) provide a detailed description of the nature and 
scope of research infrastructure designated as such under 
the Program;’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated— 
(I) by amending clause (i) to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) the Department of Justice;’’; 
(II) by redesignating clauses (vii) through (xi) 
as clauses (viii) through (xii), respectively; 
(III) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: 
‘‘(vii) the Department of Homeland Security;’’; and 
(IV) by amending clause (viii), as redesignated, 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(viii) the National Archives and Records Adminis-
tration;’’; 
(iv) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated— 
(I) by striking ‘‘is submitted,’’ and inserting 
‘‘is submitted, the levels for the previous fiscal 
year,’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘each Program Component 
Area;’’ and inserting ‘‘each Program Component 
Area and research area supported in accordance 
with section 102;’’; 
(v) by amending subparagraph (E), as redesig-
nated, to read as follows: 
‘‘(E) describe the levels of Federal funding for each 
participating agency, and for each Program Component 
Area, for the fiscal year during which such report is sub-
mitted, the levels for the previous fiscal year, and the 
levels proposed for the fiscal year with respect to which 
the budget submission applies;’’; and 
(vi) by inserting after subparagraph (E), as redesig-
nated, the following: 
‘‘(F) include a description of how the objectives for 
each Program Component Area, and the objectives for 
activities that involve multiple Program Component Areas, 
relate to the objectives of the Program identified in the 
strategic plans required under subsection (e); and’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘high-performance computing’’ both 
places it appears and inserting ‘‘networking and 
information technology’’; and 
(ii) after the first sentence, by inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘Each chair of the advisory committee shall 
meet the qualifications of committee membership and 
may be a member of the President’s Council of Advisors 
on Science and Technology.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing, networking technology, and related software’’ 
and inserting ‘‘networking and information technology’’; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01016
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2981 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘2’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Committee on Science and Tech-
nology’’ and inserting ‘‘Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘The first report shall be due 
within 1 year after the date of enactment of the 
America COMPETES Act.’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and information tech-
nology’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PERIODIC REVIEWS.—The heads of the participating agen-
cies, working through the National Science and Technology Council 
and the Program, shall— 
‘‘(1) periodically assess and update, as appropriate, the 
structure of the Program, including the Program Component 
Areas and associated contents, scope, and funding levels, taking 
into consideration any relevant recommendations of the 
advisory committee established under subsection (b); and 
‘‘(2) ensure that such agency’s implementation of the Pro-
gram includes foundational, large-scale, long-term, and inter-
disciplinary information technology research and development 
activities, including activities described in section 102. 
‘‘(e) STRATEGIC PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The heads of the participating agencies, 
working through the National Science and Technology Council 
and the Program, shall develop and implement strategic plans 
to guide— 
‘‘(A) emerging activities of Federal networking and 
information technology research and development; and 
‘‘(B) the activities described in subsection (a)(1). 
‘‘(2) UPDATES.—The heads of the participating agencies 
shall update the strategic plans as appropriate. 
‘‘(3) CONTENTS.—Each strategic plan shall— 
‘‘(A) specify near-term and long-term objectives for the 
portions of the Program relevant to the strategic plan, 
the anticipated schedule for achieving the near-term and 
long-term objectives, and the metrics to be used for 
assessing progress toward the near-term and long-term 
objectives; 
‘‘(B) specify how the near-term and long-term objectives 
complement research and development areas in which aca-
demia and the private sector are actively engaged; 
‘‘(C) describe how the heads of the participating agen-
cies will support mechanisms for foundational, large-scale, 
long-term, and interdisciplinary information technology 
research and development and for Grand Challenges, 
including through collaborations— 
‘‘(i) across Federal agencies; 
‘‘(ii) across Program Component Areas; and 
‘‘(iii) with industry, Federal and private research 
laboratories, research entities, institutions of higher 
education, relevant nonprofit organizations, and inter-
national partners of the United States; 
Assessment. 
Update. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01017
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2982 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(D) describe how the heads of the participating agen-
cies will foster the rapid transfer of research and develop-
ment results into new technologies and applications in 
the national interest, including through cooperation and 
collaborations with networking and information technology 
research, development, and technology transition initiatives 
supported by the States; and 
‘‘(E) describe how the portions of the Program relevant 
to the strategic plan will address long-term challenges for 
which solutions require foundational, large-scale, long- 
term, and interdisciplinary information technology research 
and development. 
‘‘(4) PRIVATE
SECTOR
EFFORTS.—In developing, imple-
menting, and updating strategic plans, the heads of the partici-
pating agencies, working through the National Science and 
Technology Council and the Program, shall coordinate with 
industry, academia, and other interested stakeholders to 
ensure, to the extent practicable, that the Federal networking 
and information technology research and development activities 
carried out under this section do not duplicate the efforts of 
the private sector. 
‘‘(5) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In developing and updating stra-
tegic plans, the heads of the participating agencies shall solicit 
recommendations and advice from— 
‘‘(A) the advisory committee under subsection (b); 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Science and relevant sub-
committees of the National Science and Technology Council; 
and 
‘‘(C) a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, 
academia, National Laboratories, and other relevant 
organizations and institutions. 
‘‘(f) REPORTS.—The heads of the participating agencies, working 
through the National Science and Technology Council and the Pro-
gram, shall submit to the advisory committee, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives— 
‘‘(1) the strategic plans developed under subsection (e)(1); 
and 
‘‘(2) each update under subsection (e)(2).’’. 
(g) NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK.—Section 
102 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5512) is repealed. 
(h) NEXT GENERATION INTERNET.—Section 103 of the High- 
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5513) is repealed. 
(i) GRAND CHALLENGES IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.— 
Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5511 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 102. GRAND CHALLENGES IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Program shall encourage the partici-
pating agencies to support foundational, large-scale, long-term, 
interdisciplinary, and interagency information technology research 
and development activities in networking and information tech-
nology directed toward agency mission areas that have the potential 
for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness 
and for other significant societal benefits. Such activities, ranging 
15 USC 5512. 
Repeal. 
Repeal. 
Strategic plans. 
Coordination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01018
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2983 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
from basic research to the demonstration of technical solutions, 
shall be designed to advance the development of fundamental 
discoveries. The advisory committee established under section 
101(b) shall make recommendations to the Program for candidate 
research and development areas for support under this section. 
‘‘(b) CHARACTERISTICS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Research and development activities 
under this section shall— 
‘‘(A) include projects selected on the basis of applica-
tions for support through a competitive, merit-based 
process; 
‘‘(B) to the extent practicable, involve collaborations 
among researchers in institutions of higher education and 
industry, and may involve nonprofit research institutions 
and Federal laboratories, as appropriate; 
‘‘(C) to the extent practicable, leverage Federal invest-
ments through collaboration with related State and private 
sector initiatives; and 
‘‘(D) include a plan for fostering the transfer of research 
discoveries and the results of technology demonstration 
activities, including from institutions of higher education 
and Federal laboratories, to industry for commercial 
development. 
‘‘(2) COST-SHARING.—In selecting applications for support, 
the agencies may give special consideration to projects that 
include cost sharing from non-Federal sources.’’. 
(j) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES.—Section 201 
of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5521) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘high-end’’ after ‘‘National Science 
Foundation shall provide’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘high-performance computing’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘networking;’’ and inserting 
‘‘networking and information technology; and’’; 
(C) by striking paragraphs (2) through (4); and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) the National Science Foundation shall use its existing 
programs, in collaboration with other agencies, as appropriate, 
to improve the teaching and learning of networking and 
information technology at all levels of education and to increase 
participation in networking and information technology fields, 
including by individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of 
the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 
1885a and 1885b).’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b). 
(k) NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ACTIVI-
TIES.—Section 202 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 
(15 U.S.C. 5522) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘high-performance computing’’ and inserting 
‘‘networking and information technology’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (b). 
Plan. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01019
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2984 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(l) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ACTIVITIES.—Section 203 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5523) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘high-performance com-
puting and networking’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and informa-
tion technology’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘high-performance’’ and 
inserting ‘‘high-end’’; and 
(4) by striking subsection (b). 
(m) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES.—Section 204 of 
the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5524) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing systems and networks’’ and inserting ‘‘net-
working and information technology systems and capabili-
ties’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘interoperability 
of high-performance computing systems in networks and 
for common user interfaces to systems’’ and inserting ‘‘inter-
operability and usability of networking and information 
technology systems’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and information 
technology’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘HIGH-PERFORMANCE 
COMPUTING AND NETWORK’’ and inserting ‘‘NETWORKING 
AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Pursuant to the Computer Security 
Act of 1987 (Public Law 100–235; 101 Stat. 1724), the’’ 
and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘sensitive information in Federal com-
puter systems’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal agency information 
and information systems’’; and 
(3) by striking subsections (c) and (d). 
(n) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES.—Section 
205 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5525) is repealed. 
(o) ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.—Section 206 
of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5526) 
is repealed. 
(p) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.—Section 207 of the High- 
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5527) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) through 
(5) of section 2315(a) of title 10’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
3552(b)(6)(A)(i) of title 44’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘high-performance com-
puting’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and information technology’’. 
(q) REPEAL.—Section 208 of the High-Performance Computing 
Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5528) is repealed. 
(r) 
NATIONAL
SCIENCE
FOUNDATION
RESEARCH.—Section 
4(b)(5)(K) of the Cyber Security Research and Development Act 
(15 U.S.C. 7403(b)(5)(K)) is amended by striking ‘‘high-performance 
computing’’ and inserting ‘‘networking and information technology’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01020
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2985 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(s) NATIONAL
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH
AND 
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM.—Section 
13202(b) 
of 
the 
America 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 17912(b)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘National High-Performance Computing Pro-
gram’’ and inserting ‘‘Networking and Information Technology 
Research and Development Program’’. 
(t) FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.— 
Section 201(a)(4) of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 
(15 U.S.C. 7431(a)(4)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘clauses (i) through (x)’’ and inserting 
‘‘clauses (i) through (xi)’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘under clause (xi)’’ and inserting ‘‘under 
clause (xii)’’. 
(u) ADDITIONAL REPEAL.—Section 4 of the Department of 
Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 
5543) is repealed. 
SEC. 106. PHYSICAL SCIENCES COORDINATION. 
(a) HIGH-ENERGY PHYSICS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Physical Science Subcommittee of 
the National Science and Technology Council (referred to in 
this section as ‘‘Subcommittee’’) shall continue to coordinate 
Federal efforts related to high-energy physics research to maxi-
mize the efficiency and effectiveness of United States invest-
ment in high-energy physics. 
(2) 
PURPOSES.—The 
purposes 
of 
the 
Subcommittee 
include— 
(A) to advise and assist the Committee on Science 
and the National Science and Technology Council on United 
States policies, procedures, and plans in the physical 
sciences, including high-energy physics; and 
(B) to identify emerging opportunities, stimulate inter-
national cooperation, and foster the development of the 
physical sciences in the United States, including— 
(i) in high-energy physics research, including 
related underground science and engineering research; 
(ii) in physical infrastructure and facilities; 
(iii) in information and analysis; and 
(iv) in coordination activities. 
(3) RESPONSIBILITIES.—In regard to coordinating Federal 
efforts related to high-energy physics research, the Sub-
committee shall, taking into account the findings and rec-
ommendations of relevant advisory committees— 
(A) provide recommendations on planning for construc-
tion and stewardship of large facilities participating in 
high-energy physics; 
(B) provide recommendations on research coordination 
and collaboration among the programs and activities of 
Federal agencies related to underground science, neutrino 
research, dark energy, and dark matter research; 
(C) establish goals and priorities for high-energy 
physics, related underground science, and research and 
development that will strengthen United States competi-
tiveness in high-energy physics; 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Coordination. 
42 USC 6601 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01021
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2986 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(D) propose methods for engagement with inter-
national, Federal, and State agencies and Federal labora-
tories not represented on the National Science and Tech-
nology Council to identify and reduce regulatory, logistical, 
and fiscal barriers that inhibit United States leadership 
in high-energy physics and related underground science; 
and 
(E) develop, and update as necessary, a strategic plan 
to guide Federal programs and activities in support of 
high-energy physics research, including— 
(i) the efforts taken in support of paragraph (2) 
since the last strategic plan; 
(ii) an evaluation of the current research needs 
for maintaining United States leadership in high- 
energy physics; and 
(iii) an identification of future priorities in the 
area of high-energy physics. 
(b) RADIATION BIOLOGY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Subcommittee shall continue to 
coordinate Federal efforts related to radiation biology research 
to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of United States 
investment in radiation biology. 
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RADIATION BIOLOGY.—In regard 
to coordinating Federal efforts related to radiation biology 
research, the Subcommittee shall— 
(A) advise and assist the National Science and Tech-
nology Council on policies and initiatives in radiation 
biology, including enhancing scientific knowledge of the 
effects of low dose radiation on biological systems to 
improve radiation risk management methods; 
(B) identify opportunities to stimulate international 
cooperation and leverage research and knowledge from 
sources outside of the United States; 
(C) ensure coordination between the Department of 
Energy Office of Science, Foundation, National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, National Institutes of Health, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Department of Home-
land Security; 
(D) identify ongoing scientific challenges for under-
standing the long-term effects of ionizing radiation on 
biological systems; and 
(E) formulate overall scientific goals for the future 
of low-dose radiation research in the United States. 
(c) FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Subcommittee shall continue to 
coordinate Federal efforts related to fusion energy research 
to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of United States 
investment in fusion energy sciences. 
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR
FUSION
ENERGY
SCIENCES.—In 
regard to coordinating Federal efforts related to fusion energy 
sciences, the Subcommittee shall— 
(A) advise and assist the National Science and Tech-
nology Council on policies and initiatives in fusion energy 
sciences, including enhancing scientific knowledge of fusion 
energy science, plasma physics, and related materials 
sciences; 
Coordination. 
Coordination. 
Coordination. 
Update. 
Strategic plan. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01022
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2987 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(B) identify opportunities to stimulate international 
cooperation and leverage research and knowledge from 
sources outside of the United States, including the ITER 
project; 
(C) ensure coordination between the Department of 
Energy Office of Science, National Nuclear Security 
Administration, Advanced Research Projects Agency- 
Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
Foundation, and Department of Defense regarding fusion 
energy sciences and plasma physics; and 
(D) formulate overall scientific goals for the future 
of fusion energy sciences and plasma physics. 
SEC. 107. LABORATORY PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of NIST, acting through the 
Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, shall develop and 
implement a comprehensive strategic plan for laboratory programs 
that expands— 
(1) interactions with academia, international researchers, 
and industry; and 
(2) commercial and industrial applications. 
(b) OPTIMIZING COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.— 
In accordance with the purpose under section 1(b)(3) of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271(b)(3)), 
the comprehensive strategic plan shall— 
(1) include performance metrics for the dissemination of 
fundamental research results, measurements, and standards 
research results to industry, including manufacturing, and 
other interested parties; 
(2) document any positive benefits of research on the 
competitiveness of the interested parties described in paragraph 
(1); 
(3) clarify the current approach to the technology transfer 
activities of NIST; and 
(4) consider recommendations from the National Academy 
of Sciences. 
SEC. 108. STANDARD REFERENCE DATA ACT UPDATE. 
Section 2 of the Standard Reference Data Act (15 U.S.C. 290a) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘For the purposes of this Act: 
‘‘(1) STANDARD REFERENCE DATA.—The term ‘standard ref-
erence data’ means data that is— 
‘‘(A) either— 
‘‘(i) quantitative information related to a measur-
able physical, or chemical, or biological property of 
a substance or system of substances of known composi-
tion and structure; 
‘‘(ii) measurable characteristics of a physical arti-
fact or artifacts; 
‘‘(iii) 
engineering 
properties 
or 
performance 
characteristics of a system; or 
‘‘(iv) 1 or more digital data objects that serve— 
‘‘(I) to calibrate or characterize the perform-
ance of a detection or measurement system; or 
Strategic plan. 
15 USC 272. 
Coordination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01023
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2988 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(II) to interpolate or extrapolate, or both, data 
described in subparagraph (A) through (C); and 
‘‘(B) that is critically evaluated as to its reliability 
under section 3 of this Act. 
‘‘(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of Commerce.’’. 
SEC. 109. NSF MID-SCALE PROJECT INVESTMENTS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The Foundation funds major research facilities, infra-
structure, and instrumentation that provide unique capabilities 
at the frontiers of science and engineering. 
(2) Modern and effective research facilities, infrastructure, 
and instrumentation are critical to maintaining United States 
leadership in science and engineering. 
(3) The costs of some proposed research instrumentation, 
equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities fall 
between programs currently funded by the Foundation, creating 
a gap between the established parameters of the Major 
Research Instrumentation and Major Research Equipment and 
Facilities Construction programs, including projects that have 
been identified as cost-effective additions of high priority to 
the advancement of scientific understanding. 
(4) The 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey 
recommended a mid-scale innovations program. 
(b) MID-SCALE PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Foundation shall evaluate the 
existing and future needs, across all disciplines supported by 
the Foundation, for mid-scale projects. 
(2) STRATEGY.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
develop a strategy to address the needs identified in paragraph 
(1). 
(3) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall 
provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress 
on the evaluation under paragraph (1) and the strategy under 
paragraph (2). 
(4) DEFINITION OF MID-SCALE PROJECTS.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘‘mid-scale projects’’ means research instrumentation, 
equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities or other 
research infrastructure investments that exceed the maximum 
award funded by the major research instrumentation program 
and are below the minimum award funded by the major 
research equipment and facilities construction program as 
described in section 507 of the AMERICA Competes Reauthor-
ization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–358; 124 Stat. 4008). 
SEC. 110. OVERSIGHT OF NSF MAJOR MULTI-USER RESEARCH 
FACILITY PROJECTS. 
(a) FACILITIES OVERSIGHT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
strengthen oversight and accountability over the full life-cycle 
of each major multi-user research facility project, including 
planning, development, procurement, construction, operations, 
and support, and shut-down of the facility, in order to maximize 
research investment. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
Director shall— 
42 USC 1862s–2. 
Deadline. 
Evaluation. 
Definition. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01024
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2989 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(A) prioritize the scientific outcomes of a major multi- 
user research facility project and the internal management 
and financial oversight of the major multi-user research 
facility project; 
(B) clarify the roles and responsibilities of all organiza-
tions, including offices, panels, committees, and direc-
torates, involved in supporting a major multi-user research 
facility project, including the role of the Major Research 
Equipment and Facilities Construction Panel; 
(C) establish policies and procedures for the planning, 
management, and oversight of a major multi-user research 
facility project at each phase of the life-cycle of the major 
multi-user research facility project; 
(D) ensure that policies for estimating and managing 
costs and schedules are consistent with the best practices 
described in the Government Accountability Office Cost 
Estimating and Assessment Guide, the Government 
Accountability Office Schedule Assessment Guide, and the 
Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance (2 
C.F.R. Part 200); 
(E) establish the appropriate project management and 
financial management expertise required for Foundation 
staff to oversee each major multi-user research facility 
project effectively, including by improving project manage-
ment training and certification; 
(F) coordinate the sharing of the best management 
practices and lessons learned from each major multi-user 
research facility project; 
(G) continue to maintain a Large Facilities Office to 
support the research directorates in the development, 
implementation, and oversight of each major multi-user 
research facility project, including by— 
(i) serving as the Foundation’s primary resource 
for all policy or process issues related to the develop-
ment, implementation, and oversight of a major multi- 
user research facility project; 
(ii) serving as a Foundation-wide resource on 
project management, including providing expert assist-
ance on nonscientific and nontechnical aspects of 
project planning, budgeting, implementation, manage-
ment, and oversight; 
(iii) coordinating and collaborating with research 
directorates to share best management practices and 
lessons learned from prior major multi-user research 
facility projects; and 
(iv) assessing each major multi-user research 
facility project for cost and schedule risk; and 
(H) appoint a senior agency official whose responsibility 
is oversight of the development, construction, and oper-
ations of major multi-user research facilities across the 
Foundation. 
(b) FACILITIES FULL LIFE-CYCLE COSTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c)(1), the Director 
of the Foundation shall require that any pre-award analysis 
of a major multi-user research facility project includes the 
development and consideration of the full life-cycle cost (as 
defined in section 2 of the National Science Foundation 
Analysis. 
Appointment. 
Assessment. 
Coordination. 
Coordination. 
Procedures. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01025
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2990 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) in accordance 
with section 14 of the National Science Foundation Authoriza-
tion Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n–4). 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Based on the pre-award analysis 
described in paragraph (1), the Director of the Foundation 
shall include projected operational costs within the Founda-
tion’s out-years as part of the President’s annual budget submis-
sion to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States 
Code. 
(c) COST OVERSIGHT.— 
(1) PRE-AWARD ANALYSIS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation and 
the National Science Board may not approve or execute 
any agreement to start construction on any proposed major 
multi-user research facility project unless— 
(i) an external analysis of the proposed budget 
has been conducted to ensure the proposal is complete 
and reasonable; 
(ii) the analysis under clause (i) follows the 
Government Accountability Office Cost Estimating and 
Assessment Guide; 
(iii) except as provided under subparagraph (C), 
an analysis of the accounting systems has been con-
ducted; 
(iv) an independent cost estimate of the construc-
tion of the project has been conducted using the same 
detailed technical information as the project proposal 
estimate to determine whether the estimate is well- 
supported and realistic; and 
(v) the Foundation and the National Science Board 
have considered the analyses under clauses (i) and 
(iii) and the independent cost estimate under clause 
(iv) and resolved any major issues identified therein. 
(B) AUDITS.—An external analysis under subparagraph 
(A)(i) may include an audit. 
(C) EXCEPTION.—The Director of the Foundation, at 
the Director’s discretion, may waive the requirement under 
subparagraph (A)(iii) if a similar analysis of the accounting 
systems was conducted in the prior years. 
(2) 
CONSTRUCTION
OVERSIGHT.—The 
Director 
of 
the 
Foundation shall require for each major multi-user research 
facility project— 
(A) periodic external reviews on project management 
and performance; 
(B) adequate internal controls, policies, and procedures, 
and reliable accounting systems in preparation for the 
incurred cost audits under subparagraph (D); 
(C) annual incurred cost submissions of financial 
expenditures; and 
(D) an incurred cost audit of the major multi-user 
research facility project in accordance with Government 
Accountability Office Government Auditing Standards— 
(i) at least once during construction at a time 
determined based on risk analysis and length of the 
award, except that the length of time between audits 
may not exceed 3 years; and 
(ii) at the completion of the construction phase. 
Time period. 
Waiver authority. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01026
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2991 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(3) OPERATIONS
COST
ANALYSIS.—The Director of the 
Foundation shall require an independent cost analysis of the 
operational proposal for each major multi-user research facility 
project. 
(d) CONTINGENCY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
strengthen internal controls to improve oversight of contingency 
on a major multi-user research facility project. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
Director of the Foundation shall— 
(A) only include contingency amounts in an award 
in accordance with section 200.433 of title 2, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (relating to contingency provisions), or 
any successor regulation; 
(B) retain control over funds budgeted for contingency, 
except that the Director may disburse budgeted contingency 
funds incrementally to the awardee to ensure project sta-
bility and continuity; 
(C) track contingency use; and 
(D) ensure that contingency amounts allocated to the 
performance baseline are reasonable and allowable. 
(e) USE OF FEES.— 
(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(A) the use of taxpayer-funded award fees should be 
transparent and explicable; and 
(B) the Foundation should implement an award fee 
policy that ensures more transparency and accountability 
in the funding of necessary and appropriate expenses 
directly related to the construction and operation of major 
multi-user research facilities. 
(2) REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING.—The Director of the 
Foundation shall establish guidelines for awardees regarding 
inappropriate expenditures associated with all fee types used 
in cooperative agreements, including for alcoholic beverages, 
lobbying, meals or entertainment for non-business purposes, 
non-business travel, and any other purpose the Director deter-
mines is inappropriate. 
(f) OVERSIGHT IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS.—The Director of 
the Foundation shall— 
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and periodically thereafter until the completion 
date, provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress on the response to or progress made toward implementa-
tion of— 
(A) this section; 
(B) all of the issues and recommendations identified 
in cooperative agreement audit reports and memoranda 
issued by the Inspector General of the Foundation in the 
last 5 years; and 
(C) all of the issues and recommendations identified 
by a panel of the National Academy of Public Administra-
tion in the December 2015 report entitled ‘‘National Science 
Foundation: Use of Cooperative Agreements to Support 
Large Scale Investment in Research’’; and 
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, notify the appropriate committees of Congress when 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
Time period. 
Deadlines. 
Briefings. 
Guidelines. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01027
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2992 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
the Foundation has implemented the recommendations identi-
fied in a panel of the National Academy of Public Administra-
tion report issued December 2015. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CONGRESS.—The term 
‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives. 
(2) MAJOR MULTI-USER RESEARCH FACILITY PROJECT.—The 
term ‘‘ ‘major multi-user research facility project’ ’’ means a 
science and engineering facility project that— 
(A) exceeds the lesser of— 
(i) 10 percent of a Directorate’s annual budget; 
or 
(ii) $100,000,000 in total project costs; or 
(B) is funded by the major research equipment and 
facilities construction account, or any successor account. 
SEC. 111. PERSONNEL OVERSIGHT. 
(a) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—The Director of the Foundation 
shall update the policy and procedure of the Foundation relating 
to conflicts of interest to improve documentation and management 
of any known conflict of interest of an individual on temporary 
assignment at the Foundation, including an individual on assign-
ment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 
4701 et seq.). 
(b) JUSTIFICATIONS.—The Deputy Director of the Foundation 
shall submit annually to the appropriate committees of Congress 
written justification for each rotator employed under the Intergov-
ernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.), or other 
rotator employed, by the Foundation that year that is paid at 
a rate that exceeds the maximum rate of pay for the Senior Execu-
tive Service, including, if applicable, the level of adjustment for 
the certified Senior Executive Service Performance Appraisal 
System. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the Foundation’s 
efforts to control costs associated with employing rotators, including 
the results of and participation in the Foundation’s cost-sharing 
pilot program and the Foundation’s progress in responding to the 
findings and implementing the recommendations of the Office of 
Inspector General of the Foundation related to the employment 
of rotators. 
SEC. 112. MANAGEMENT OF THE U.S. ANTARCTIC PROGRAM. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
continue to review the efforts by the Foundation to sustain 
and strengthen scientific efforts in the face of logistical chal-
lenges for the United States Antarctic Program. 
(2) ISSUES TO BE EXAMINED.—In conducting the review, 
the Director shall examine, at a minimum, the following: 
(A) Implementation by the Foundation of issues and 
recommendations identified by— 
42 USC 1862 
note. 
Deadline. 
Procedures. 
42 USC 1862s–3. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01028
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2993 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(i) the Inspector General of the National Science 
Foundation in audit reports and memoranda on the 
United States Antarctic Program in the last 4 years; 
(ii) the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel 
report, More and Better Science in Antarctica through 
Increased Logistical Effectiveness, issued July 23, 
2012; and 
(iii) the National Research Council report, Future 
Science Opportunities in Antarctica and the Southern 
Ocean, issued September 2011. 
(B) Efforts by the Foundation to track its progress 
in addressing the issues and recommendations under 
subparagraph (A). 
(C) Efforts by the Foundation to address other 
opportunities and challenges, including efforts on scientific 
research, coordination with other Federal agencies and 
international partners, logistics and transportation, health 
and safety of participants, oversight and financial manage-
ment of awardees and contractors, and resources and policy 
challenges. 
(b) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Director shall brief the appropriate committees 
of Congress on the ongoing review, including findings and any 
recommendations. 
SEC. 113. NIST CAMPUS SECURITY. 
(a) SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY.—The Department of Commerce 
Office of Security shall directly manage the law enforcement and 
site security programs of NIST through an assigned Director of 
Security for NIST without increasing the number of full-time 
equivalent employees of the Department of Commerce, including 
NIST. 
(b) REPORTS.—The Director of Security for NIST shall provide 
an activities and security report on a quarterly basis for the first 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, and on an annual 
basis thereafter, to the Under Secretary for Standards and Tech-
nology and the appropriate committees of Congress. 
SEC. 114. COORDINATION OF SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY.—It is the sense 
of Congress that— 
(1) the science of chemistry is vital to improving the quality 
of human life and plays an important role in addressing critical 
global challenges, including water quality, energy, health care, 
and agriculture; 
(2) sustainable chemistry can reduce risks to human health 
and the environment, reduce waste, improve pollution preven-
tion, promote safe and efficient manufacturing, and promote 
efficient use of resources in developing new materials, proc-
esses, and technologies that support viable long-term solutions 
to a significant number of challenges; 
(3) sustainable chemistry can stimulate innovation, encour-
age new and creative approaches to problems, create jobs, and 
save money; and 
(4) a coordinated effort on sustainable chemistry will allow 
for a greater return on research investment in this area. 
42 USC 1862p–3 
note. 
15 USC 278e 
note. 
Deadline. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01029
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2994 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(b) SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY BASIC RESEARCH.—Subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, the Director of the Foundation 
may continue to carry out the Sustainable Chemistry Basic 
Research program authorized under section 509 of the National 
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p– 
3). 
SEC. 115. MISREPRESENTATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—The Director of the Foundation may revise 
the regulations under part 689 of title 45, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (relating to research misconduct) to ensure that the findings 
and conclusions of any article authored by a principal investigator, 
using the results of research conducted under a Foundation grant, 
that is published in a peer-reviewed publication, made publicly 
available, or incorporated in an application for a research grant 
or grant extension from the Foundation, does not contain any fal-
sification, fabrication, or plagiarism. 
(b) INTERAGENCY
COMMUNICATION.—Upon a finding that 
research misconduct has occurred, the Foundation shall, in addition 
to any possible final action under section 689.3 of title 45, Code 
of Federal Regulations, notify other Federal science agencies of 
the finding. 
SEC. 116. RESEARCH REPRODUCIBILITY AND REPLICATION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the gold standard of good science is the ability of a 
researcher or research laboratory to reproduce a published 
research finding, including methods; 
(2) there is growing concern that some published research 
findings cannot be reproduced or replicated, which can nega-
tively affect the public’s trust in science; 
(3) there are a complex set of factors affecting reproduc-
ibility and replication; and 
(4) the increasing interdisciplinary nature and complexity 
of scientific research may be a contributing factor to issues 
with research reproducibility and replication. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 45 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall 
enter into an agreement with the National Research Council— 
(A) to assess research and data reproducibility and 
replicability issues in interdisciplinary research; 
(B) to make recommendations for improving rigor and 
transparency in scientific research; and 
(C) to submit to the Director of the Foundation a 
report on the assessment, including its findings and rec-
ommendations, not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(2) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date the Director of the Foundation receives the report 
under paragraph (1)(C), the Director shall submit the report 
to the appropriate committees of Congress, including a response 
from the Director of the Foundation and the Chair of the 
National Science Board as to whether they agree with each 
of the findings and recommendations in the report. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Assessment. 
Contracts. 
Notification. 
42 USC 1870 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01030
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2995 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
SEC. 117. BRAIN RESEARCH THROUGH ADVANCING INNOVATIVE 
NEUROTECHNOLOGIES INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Foundation shall support research activi-
ties related to the interagency Brain Research through Advancing 
Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative. 
(b) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the Foundation should work in conjunction with the Interagency 
Working Group on Neuroscience established by the National Science 
and Technology Council, Committee on Science to determine how 
to use the data infrastructure of the Foundation and other 
applicable Federal science agencies to help neuroscientists collect, 
standardize, manage, and analyze the large amounts of data that 
result from research attempting to understand how the brain func-
tions. 
TITLE II—ADMINISTRATIVE AND 
REGULATORY BURDEN REDUCTION 
SEC. 201. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON RESEARCH REGULA-
TION. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Research 
and Development Efficiency Act’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Scientific and technological advancement have been the 
largest drivers of economic growth in the last 50 years, with 
the Federal Government being the largest investor in basic 
research. 
(2) Substantial and increasing administrative burdens and 
costs in Federal research administration, particularly in the 
higher education sector where most federally funded research 
is performed, are eroding funds available to carry out basic 
scientific research. 
(3) Federally funded grants are increasingly competitive, 
with the Foundation funding only approximately 1 in every 
5 grant proposals. 
(4) Progress has been made over the last decade in stream-
lining the pre-award grant application process through the 
Federal Government’s Grants.gov website. 
(5) Post-award administrative costs have increased as Fed-
eral research agencies have continued to impose agency-unique 
compliance and reporting requirements on researchers and 
research institutions. 
(6) Researchers spend as much as 42 percent of their time 
complying with Federal regulations, including administrative 
tasks such as applying for grants or meeting reporting require-
ments. 
(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) administrative burdens faced by researchers may be 
reducing the return on investment of federally funded research 
and development; and 
(2) it is a matter of critical importance to United States 
competitiveness that administrative costs of federally funded 
research be streamlined so that a higher proportion of federal 
funding is applied to direct research activities. 
Research and 
Development 
Efficiency Act. 
42 USC 6604. 
42 USC 1862s–4. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01031
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2996 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(d) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the Office of Management 
and Budget, in coordination with the Office of Science and Tech-
nology Policy, shall establish an interagency working group 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Working Group’’) for the purpose 
of reducing administrative burdens on federally funded researchers 
while protecting the public interest through the transparency of 
and accountability for federally funded activities. 
(e) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall— 
(A) regularly review relevant, administration-related 
regulations imposed on federally funded researchers; 
(B) recommend those regulations or processes that may 
be eliminated, streamlined, or otherwise improved for the 
purpose described in subsection (d); 
(C) recommend ways to minimize the regulatory bur-
den on United States institutions of higher education per-
forming federally funded research while maintaining 
accountability for federal funding; and 
(D) recommend ways to identify and update specific 
regulations to refocus on performance-based goals rather 
than on process while achieving the outcome described 
in subparagraph (C). 
(2) GRANT REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall— 
(i) conduct a comprehensive review of Federal 
science agency grant proposal documents; and 
(ii) develop, to the extent practicable, a simplified, 
uniform grant format to be used by all Federal science 
agencies. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the uniform grant 
format, the Working Group shall consider whether to imple-
ment— 
(i) procedures for preliminary project proposals in 
advance of peer-review selection; 
(ii) increased use of ‘‘Just-In-Time’’ procedures for 
documentation that does not bear directly on the sci-
entific merit of a proposal; 
(iii) simplified initial budget proposals in advance 
of peer review selection; and 
(iv) detailed budget proposals for applicants that 
peer review selection identifies as likely to be funded. 
(3) CENTRALIZED RESEARCHER PROFILE DATABASE.— 
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Working Group shall estab-
lish, to the extent practicable, a secure, centralized data-
base for investigator biosketches, curriculum vitae, licenses, 
lists of publications, and other documents considered rel-
evant by the Working Group. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In establishing the centralized 
profile database under subparagraph (A), the Working 
Group shall consider incorporating existing investigator 
databases. 
(C) GRANT PROPOSALS.—To the extent practicable, all 
grant proposals shall utilize the centralized investigator 
profile database established under subparagraph (A). 
(D) REQUIREMENTS.—Each investigator shall— 
(i) be responsible for ensuring the investigator’s 
profile is current and accurate; and 
Coordination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01032
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2997 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(ii) be assigned a unique identifier linked to the 
database and accessible to all Federal funding agencies. 
(4) CENTRALIZED ASSURANCES REPOSITORY.—The Working 
Group shall— 
(A) establish a central repository for all of the assur-
ances required for Federal research grants; and 
(B) provide guidance to institutions of higher education 
and Federal science agencies on the use of the centralized 
assurances repository. 
(5) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall— 
(i) conduct a comprehensive review of the man-
dated progress reports for federally funded research; 
and 
(ii) develop a strategy to simplify investigator 
progress reports. 
(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the strategy, the 
Working Group shall consider limiting progress reports 
to performance outcomes. 
(f) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out its responsibilities under 
subsection (e)(1), the Working Group shall consult with academic 
researchers outside the Federal Government, including— 
(1) federally funded researchers; 
(2) non-federally funded researchers; 
(3) institutions of higher education and their representative 
associations; 
(4) scientific and engineering disciplinary societies and 
associations; 
(5) nonprofit research institutions; 
(6) industry, including small businesses; 
(7) federally funded research and development centers; and 
(8) members of the public with a stake in ensuring effective-
ness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance of sci-
entific research. 
(g) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Working Group 
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on its responsibilities under this section, including a discussion 
of the considerations described in paragraphs (2)(B), (3)(B), and 
(5)(B) of subsection (e) and recommendations made under subsection 
(e)(1). 
SEC. 202. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COLLABORATION. 
(a) DEFINITION OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL WORKSHOP.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘scientific and technical workshop’’ means 
a symposium, seminar, or any other organized, formal gathering 
where scientists or engineers working in STEM research and 
development fields assemble to coordinate, exchange and dissemi-
nate information or to explore or clarify a defined subject, problem 
or area of knowledge in the STEM fields. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the United States should encourage broad dissemination 
of Federal research findings and engagement of Federal 
researchers with the scientific and technical community; and 
(2) laboratory, test center, and field center directors and 
other similar heads of offices should approve scientific and 
technical workshop attendance if— 
Guidance. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01033
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2998 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(A) that attendance would meet the mission of the 
laboratory or test center; and 
(B) sufficient laboratory or test center funds are avail-
able for that purpose. 
(c) ATTENDANCE POLICIES.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the heads of the Federal science 
agencies shall each develop an action plan for the implementation 
of revisions and updates to their policies on attendance at scientific 
and technical workshops. 
(d) NIST WORKSHOPS.—Section 2(c) of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)), as amended 
by section 104 of this Act, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (19) through (24) as para-
graphs (22) through (27), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following: 
‘‘(19) host, participate in, and support scientific and tech-
nical workshops (as defined in section 202 of the American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act); 
‘‘(20) collect and retain any fees charged by the Secretary 
for hosting a scientific and technical workshop described in 
paragraph (19); 
‘‘(21) notwithstanding title 31 of the United States Code, 
use the fees described in paragraph (20) to pay for any related 
expenses, including subsistence expenses for participants;’’. 
SEC. 203. NIST GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS UPDATE. 
Section 8(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘The total 
amount of any such grant or cooperative agreement may not exceed 
75 percent of the total cost of the program.’’. 
SEC. 204. REPEAL OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE REPORTS. 
(a) REPEAL OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE REPORTS.— 
(1) NIST REPORTS.— 
(A) REPORT ON DONATION OF EDUCATIONALLY USEFUL 
FEDERAL EQUIPMENT TO SCHOOLS.—Section 6(b) of the Tech-
nology Administration Act of 1998 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) 
is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
’’ and indenting appropriately; and 
(ii) by striking paragraph (2). 
(B) 
THREE-YEAR
PROGRAMMATIC
PLANNING
DOCU-
MENT.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Section 23 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
278i) is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d). 
(ii) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 10(h)(1) of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is amended by striking the 
last sentence. 
(2) MULTIAGENCY REPORT ON INNOVATION ACCELERATION 
RESEARCH.—Section 1008 of the America COMPETES Act (42 
U.S.C. 6603) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (c); and 
(B) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c). 
(3) NSF REPORTS.— 
(A) FUNDING FOR SUCCESSFUL STEM EDUCATION PRO-
GRAMS; REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Section 7012 of the America 
Deadline. 
Action plan. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01034
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 2999 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–4) is amended by 
striking subsection (c). 
(B) ENCOURAGING
PARTICIPATION; EVALUATION
AND 
REPORT.—Section 7031 of the America COMPETES Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1862o–11) is amended by striking subsection 
(b). 
(C) MATH
AND
SCIENCE
PARTNERSHIPS
PROGRAM 
COORDINATION
REPORT.—Section 9(c) of the National 
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
1862n(c)) is amended— 
(i) by striking paragraph (4); and 
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
(4). 
(b) NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE REPORTS.—The 21st 
Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 
7501 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by amending section 2(c)(4) (15 U.S.C. 7501(c)(4)) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(4) develop, not later than 5 years after the date of the 
release of the most-recent strategic plan, and update every 
5 years thereafter, a strategic plan to guide the activities 
described under subsection (b) that describes— 
‘‘(A) the near-term and long-term objectives for the 
Program; 
‘‘(B) the anticipated schedule for achieving the near- 
term objectives; and 
‘‘(C) the metrics that will be used to assess progress 
toward the near-term and long-term objectives; 
‘‘(D) how the Program will move results out of the 
laboratory and into application for the benefit of society; 
‘‘(E) the Program’s support for long-term funding for 
interdisciplinary research and development in nanotechnol-
ogy; and 
‘‘(F) the allocation of funding for interagency nanotech-
nology projects;’’; 
(2) by amending section 4(d) (15 U.S.C. 7503(d)) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—Not later than 4 years after the date of the 
most recent assessment under subsection (c), and quadrennially 
thereafter, the Advisory Panel shall submit to the President, the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives a report its assessments under 
subsection (c) and its recommendations for ways to improve the 
Program.’’; and 
(3) in section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7504)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TRIENNIAL’’ and 
inserting ‘‘QUADRENNIAL’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘triennial’’ and inserting ‘‘quadrennial’’; 
(C) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘triennial’’ and 
inserting ‘‘quadrennial’’; 
(D) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘triennial’’ and 
inserting ‘‘quadrennial’’; and 
(E) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) REPORT.— 
Assessments. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Strategic plan. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01035
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3000 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
the first evaluation under subsection (a) is received, and 
quadrennially thereafter, the Director of the National Nano-
technology Coordination Office shall report to the President 
its assessments under subsection (c) and its recommendations 
for ways to improve the Program. 
‘‘(2) CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
the President receives the report under paragraph (1), the 
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
transmit a copy of the report to Congress.’’. 
(c) MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUC-
TION.—Section 14 of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n–4) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) PRIORITIZATION OF PROPOSED MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT 
AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION.— 
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT
OF
PRIORITIES.—The Director shall— 
‘‘(A) develop a list indicating by number the relative 
priority for funding under the major research equipment 
and facilities construction account that the Director assigns 
to each project the Board has approved for inclusion in 
a future budget request; and 
‘‘(B) submit the list described in subparagraph (A) to 
the Board for approval. 
‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—The Director shall include in the criteria 
for developing the list under paragraph (1) the readiness of 
plans for construction and operation, including confidence in 
the estimates of the full life-cycle cost (as defined in section 
2 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k note)) and the proposed schedule of 
completion. 
‘‘(3) UPDATES.—The Director shall update the list prepared 
under paragraph (1) each time the Board approves a new 
project that would receive funding under the major research 
equipment and facilities construction account and periodically 
submit any updated list to the Board for approval.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (e); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
(b) and (c), respectively; and 
(4) by amending subsection (c), as redesignated, to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(c) BOARD APPROVAL OF MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND 
FACILITIES PROJECTS.—The Board shall explicitly approve any 
project to be funded out of the major research equipment and 
facilities construction account before any funds may be obligated 
from such account for such project.’’. 
SEC. 205. REPEAL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS. 
(a) TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 28 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is repealed. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) ADDITIONAL AWARD CRITERIA.—Section 4226(b) of 
the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 278n note) 
is repealed. 
(B) MANAGEMENT COSTS.—Section 2(d) of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
List. 
Records. 
Assessments. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01036
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3001 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
272(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘sections 25, 26, and 28’’ 
and inserting ‘‘sections 25 and 26’’. 
(C) ANNUAL AND OTHER REPORTS TO SECRETARY AND 
CONGRESS.—Section 10(h)(1) of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘, including the Program established 
under section 28,’’. 
(b) TEACHERS FOR A COMPETITIVE TOMORROW.—Sections 6111 
through 6116 of the America COMPETES Act (20 U.S.C. 9811, 
9812, 9813, 9814, 9815, 9816) and the items relating to those 
sections in the table of contents under section 2 of that Act (Public 
Law 110–69; 121 Stat. 572) are repealed. 
SEC. 206. GRANT SUBRECIPIENT TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Foundation shall 
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
an audit of the Foundation’s policies and procedures governing 
the monitoring of pass-through entities with respect to subrecipi-
ents. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The audit shall include the following: 
(1) Information regarding the Foundation’s process to over-
see— 
(A) the compliance of pass-through entities under sec-
tion 200.331 and subpart F of part 200 of chapter II of 
subtitle A of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
the other requirements of that title for subrecipients; 
(B) whether pass-through entities have processes and 
controls in place regarding financial compliance of sub-
recipients, where appropriate; and 
(C) whether pass-through entities have processes and 
controls in place to maintain approved grant objectives 
for subrecipients, where appropriate. 
(2) Recommendations, if necessary, to increase trans-
parency and oversight while balancing administrative burdens. 
SEC. 207. MICRO-PURCHASE THRESHOLD FOR PROCUREMENT SOLICI-
TATIONS BY RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) 
MICRO-PURCHASE
THRESHOLD.—The 
micro-purchase 
threshold for procurement activities administered under sections 
6303 through 6305 of title 31, United States Code, awarded by 
the Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion, or the National Institute of Standards and Technology to 
institutions of higher education, or related or affiliated nonprofit 
entities, or to nonprofit research organizations or independent 
research institutes is— 
(1) $10,000 (as adjusted periodically to account for infla-
tion); or 
(2) such higher threshold as determined appropriate by 
the head of the relevant executive agency and consistent with 
audit findings under chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, 
internal institutional risk assessment, or State law. 
(b) UNIFORM
GUIDANCE.—The Uniform Guidance shall be 
revised to conform with the requirements of this section. For pur-
poses of the preceding sentence, the term ‘‘Uniform Guidance’’ 
means the uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, 
and audit requirements for Federal awards contained in part 200 
of title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 
41 USC 1902 
note. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Deadline. 
Audit. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01037
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3002 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
SEC. 208. COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECH-
NOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Inter-
national Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2016’’. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall establish a body under the National Science 
and Technology Council with the responsibility to identify and 
coordinate international science and technology cooperation that 
can strengthen the United States science and technology enterprise, 
improve economic and national security, and support United States 
foreign policy goals. 
(c) NSTC BODY LEADERSHIP.—The body established under sub-
section (b) shall be co-chaired by senior level officials from the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of 
State. 
(d) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The body established under subsection 
(b) shall— 
(1) plan and coordinate interagency international science 
and technology cooperative research and training activities and 
partnerships supported or managed by Federal agencies; 
(2) work with other National Science and Technology 
Council committees to help plan and coordinate the inter-
national component of national science and technology prior-
ities; 
(3) establish Federal priorities and policies for aligning, 
as appropriate, international science and technology cooperative 
research and training activities and partnerships supported 
or managed by Federal agencies with the foreign policy goals 
of the United States; 
(4) identify opportunities for new international science and 
technology cooperative research and training partnerships that 
advance both the science and technology and the foreign policy 
priorities of the United States; 
(5) in carrying out paragraph (4), solicit input and rec-
ommendations from non-Federal science and technology stake-
holders, including institutions of higher education, scientific 
and professional societies, industry, and other relevant 
organizations and institutions; and 
(6) identify broad issues that influence the ability of United 
States scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign 
counterparts, including barriers to collaboration and access to 
scientific information. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives a biennial report on the requirements of this 
section. 
(f) WEBSITE.—The Director shall make each report available 
to the public on the Office of Science and Technology Policy website. 
(g) TERMINATION.—The body established under subsection (b) 
shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act. 
(h) ADDITIONAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit, not later 
than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act and annually 
Public 
information. 
International 
Science and 
Technology 
Cooperation Act 
of 2016. 
42 USC 6625. 
Coordination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01038
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3003 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
thereafter, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 
that lists and describes the details of all foreign travel by Office 
of Science and Technology Policy staff and detailees. 
TITLE III—SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, 
ENGINEERING, AND MATH EDUCATION 
SEC. 301. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE. 
Section 10A of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n–1a) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(k) STEM TEACHER SERVICE AND RETENTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall develop and imple-
ment practices for increasing the proportion of individuals 
receiving fellowships under this section who— 
‘‘(A) fulfill the service obligation required under sub-
section (h); and 
‘‘(B) remain in the teaching profession in a high need 
local educational agency beyond the service obligation. 
‘‘(2) PRACTICES.—The practices described under paragraph 
(1) may include— 
‘‘(A) partnering with nonprofit or professional associa-
tions or with other government entities to provide individ-
uals 
receiving 
fellowships 
under 
this 
section 
with 
opportunities for professional development, including 
mentorship programs that pair those individuals with cur-
rently employed and recently retired science, technology, 
engineering, mathematics, or computer science profes-
sionals; 
‘‘(B) increasing recruitment from high need districts; 
‘‘(C) establishing a system to better collect, track, and 
respond to data on the career decisions of individuals 
receiving fellowships under this section; 
‘‘(D) conducting research to better understand factors 
relevant to teacher service and retention, including factors 
specifically impacting the retention of teachers who are 
individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science 
and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 
1885b); and 
‘‘(E) conducting pilot programs to improve teacher 
service and retention.’’. 
SEC. 302. SPACE GRANTS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program has 
been an important program by which the Federal Government 
has partnered with universities, colleges, industry, and other 
organizations to provide hands-on STEM experiences, fostering of 
multidisciplinary space research, and supporting graduate fellow-
ships in space-related fields, among other purposes. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Section 40303 of title 51, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01039
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3004 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(d) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION COSTS.—In carrying out the 
provisions of this chapter, the Administrator— 
‘‘(1) shall maximize appropriated funds for grants and con-
tracts made under section 40304 in each fiscal year; and 
‘‘(2) in each fiscal year, the Administrator shall limit its 
program administration costs to no more than 5 percent of 
funds appropriated for this program for that fiscal year. 
‘‘(e) REPORTS.—For any fiscal year in which the Administrator 
cannot meet the administration cost target under subsection (d)(2), 
if the Administration is unable to limit program costs under sub-
section (b), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report, including— 
‘‘(1) a description of why the Administrator did not meet 
the cost target under subsection (d); and 
‘‘(2) the measures the Administrator will take in the next 
fiscal year to meet the cost target under subsection (d) without 
drawing upon other Federal funding.’’. 
SEC. 303. STEM EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment this Act, the Director of the Foundation, Secretary 
of Education, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall jointly establish an advisory 
panel (referred to in this section as the ‘‘STEM Education Advisory 
Panel’’) to advise the Committee on STEM Education of the National 
Science and Technology Council (referred to in this section as 
‘‘CoSTEM’’) on matters relating to STEM education. 
(b) MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
shall be composed of not less than 11 members. 
(2) APPOINTMENT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Director of the Foundation, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of Education and the heads of the Federal science 
agencies, shall appoint the members of the STEM Edu-
cation Advisory Panel. 
(B) 
CONSIDERATION.—In 
selecting 
individuals 
to 
appoint under subparagraph (A), the Director of the 
Foundation shall seek and give consideration to rec-
ommendations from Congress, industry, the scientific 
community, including the National Academy of Sciences, 
scientific professional societies, academia, State and local 
governments, organizations representing individuals identi-
fied in section 33 or section 34 of the Science and 
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 
1885b), and such other organizations as the Director con-
siders appropriate. 
(C) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members shall— 
(i) primarily be individuals from academic institu-
tions, nonprofit organizations, and industry, including 
in-school, out-of-school, and informal education practi-
tioners; and 
(ii) be individuals who are qualified to provide 
advice and information on STEM education research, 
development, training, implementation, interventions, 
42 USC 6621 
note. 
Deadline. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01040
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3005 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
professional development, or workforce needs or con-
cerns. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The STEM Education Advisory Panel 
shall— 
(A) advise CoSTEM; 
(B) periodically assess CoSTEM’s progress in carrying 
out its responsibilities under section 101(b) of the America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 
6621(b)); and 
(C) help identify any need or opportunity to update 
the strategic plan under section 101(b) of that Act. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In its advisory role, the STEM Edu-
cation Advisory Panel shall consider— 
(A) the management, coordination, and implementation 
of STEM education programs and activities across the Fed-
eral Government; 
(B) the appropriateness of criteria used by Federal 
agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of Federal STEM 
education programs and activities; 
(C) whether societal and workforce concerns are ade-
quately addressed by current Federal STEM education pro-
grams and activities; 
(D) how Federal agencies can incentivize institutions 
of higher education to improve retention of STEM students; 
(E) ways to leverage private and nonprofit STEM 
investments and encourage public-private partnerships to 
strengthen STEM education and help build the STEM 
workforce pipeline; 
(F) ways to incorporate workforce needs into Federal 
STEM education programs and activities, particularly for 
specific employment fields of national interest and employ-
ment fields experiencing high unemployment rates; 
(G) ways to better vertically and horizontally integrate 
Federal STEM education programs and activities from pre- 
kindergarten through graduate study and the workforce, 
and from in-school to out-of-school in order to improve 
transitions for students moving through the STEM edu-
cation and workforce pipelines; 
(H) the extent to which Federal STEM education pro-
grams and activities are contributing to recruitment and 
retention of individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 
of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the STEM education and 
workforce pipelines; and 
(I) ways to encourage geographic diversity in the STEM 
education and the workforce pipelines. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The STEM Education Advisory 
Panel shall make recommendations to improve Federal STEM 
education programs and activities based on each assessment 
under paragraph (1)(B). 
(d) FUNDING.—The Director of the Foundation, the Secretary 
of Education, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, and the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration shall jointly make funds avail-
able on an annual basis to support the activities of the STEM 
Education Advisory Panel. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01041
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3006 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(e) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and after each assessment under subsection (c)(1)(B), 
the STEM Education Advisory Panel shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress and CoSTEM a report on its assessment 
under that subsection and its recommendations under subsection 
(c)(3). 
(f) TRAVEL EXPENSES OF NON-FEDERAL MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Non-Federal members of the STEM Edu-
cation Advisory Panel, while attending meetings of the panel 
or while otherwise serving at the request of a co-chairperson 
away from their homes or regular places of business, may 
be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsist-
ence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States 
Code, for individuals in the Government serving without pay. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to prohibit members of the STEM Advisory 
Panel who are officers or employees of the United States from 
being allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with existing law. 
(g) TERMINATION.—The STEM Education Advisory Panel estab-
lished under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 
5 years after the date that it is established. 
SEC. 304. COMMITTEE ON STEM EDUCATION. 
(a) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Section 101(b) of the America COM-
PETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(b)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5)(D), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) collaborate with the STEM Education Advisory Panel 
established under section 303 of the American Innovation and 
Competitiveness Act and other outside stakeholders to ensure 
the engagement of the STEM education community; 
‘‘(8) review the measures used by a Federal agency to 
evaluate its STEM education activities and programs; 
‘‘(9) request and review feedback from States on how the 
States are utilizing Federal STEM education programs and 
activities; and 
‘‘(10) recommend the reform, termination, or consolidation 
of Federal STEM education activities and programs, taking 
into consideration the recommendations of the STEM Education 
Advisory Panel.’’. 
(b) REPORTS.—Section 101 of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(c) REPORT.—’’ and inserting ‘‘(d) 
REPORTS.—’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES
OF OSTP.—’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(c) RESPONSIBILITIES OF OSTP.—’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d), as redesignated— 
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01042
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3007 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(6) a description of all consolidations and terminations 
of Federal STEM education programs and activities imple-
mented in the previous fiscal year, including an explanation 
for the consolidations and terminations; 
‘‘(7) recommendations for reforms, consolidations, and 
terminations of STEM education programs or activities in the 
upcoming fiscal year; and 
‘‘(8) a description of any significant new STEM education 
public-private partnerships.’’. 
SEC. 305. PROGRAMS TO EXPAND STEM OPPORTUNITIES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Economic projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
indicate that by 2018, there could be 2,400,000 unfilled STEM 
jobs. 
(2) Women represent slightly more than half the United 
States population, and projections indicate that 54 percent of 
the population will be a member of a racial or ethnic minority 
group by 2050. 
(3) Despite representing half the population, women com-
prise only about 30 percent of STEM workers according to 
a 2015 report by the National Center for Science and 
Engineering Statistics. 
(4) A 2014 National Center for Education Statistics study 
found that underrepresented populations leave the STEM fields 
at higher rates than their counterparts. 
(5) The representation of women in STEM drops signifi-
cantly at the faculty level. Overall, women hold only 25 percent 
of all tenured and tenure-track positions and 17 percent of 
full professor positions in STEM fields in our Nation’s univer-
sities and 4-year colleges. 
(6) Black and Hispanic faculty together hold about 6.5 
percent of all tenured and tenure-track positions and 5 percent 
of full professor positions. 
(7) Many of the numbers in the American Indian or Alaskan 
Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander cat-
egories for different faculty ranks were too small for the 
Foundation to report publicly without potentially compromising 
confidential information about the individuals being surveyed. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) it is critical to our Nation’s economic leadership and 
global competitiveness that the United States educate, train, 
and retain more scientists, engineers, and computer scientists; 
(2) there is currently a disconnect between the availability 
of and growing demand for STEM-skilled workers; 
(3) historically, underrepresented populations are the 
largest untapped STEM talent pools in the United States; and 
(4) given the shifting demographic landscape, the United 
States should encourage full participation of individuals from 
underrepresented populations in STEM fields. 
(c) REAFFIRMATION.—The Director of the Foundation shall con-
tinue to support programs designed to broaden participation of 
underrepresented populations in STEM fields. 
(d) GRANTS TO BROADEN PARTICIPATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to eligible 
42 USC 1862s–5. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01043
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3008 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
entities to increase the participation of underrepresented popu-
lations in STEM fields, including individuals identified in sec-
tion 33 or section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b). 
(2) CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Grants awarded under this sub-
section may include grants for the establishment of a 
Center of Excellence to collect, maintain, and disseminate 
information to increase participation of underrepresented 
populations in STEM fields. 
(B) PURPOSE.—The purpose of a Center of Excellence 
under this subsection is to promote diversity in STEM 
fields by building on the success of the INCLUDES pro-
grams, providing technical assistance, maintaining best 
practices, and providing related training at federally funded 
academic institutions. 
(e) ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISSEMINATION.— 
(1) EVALUATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Founda-
tion shall evaluate the grants provided under this section. 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—In conducting the evaluation 
under subparagraph (A), the Director shall— 
(i) use a common set of benchmarks and assess-
ment tools to identify best practices and materials 
developed or demonstrated by the research; and 
(ii) to the extent practicable, combine the research 
resulting from the grant activity under subsection (e) 
with the current research on serving underrepresented 
students in grades kindergarten through 8. 
(2) REPORT
ON
EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the completion of the evaluation under paragraph (1), 
the Director of the Foundation shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress and make widely available to the public 
a report that includes— 
(A) the results of the evaluation; and 
(B) any recommendations for administrative and legis-
lative action that could optimize the effectiveness of the 
program. 
(f) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this section, the Director 
of the Foundation shall consult and cooperate with the programs 
and policies of other relevant Federal agencies to avoid duplication 
with and enhance the effectiveness of the program under this sec-
tion. 
SEC. 306. NIST EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. 
(a) REPEAL.—The National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by striking section 
18 (15 U.S.C. 278g–1). 
(b) EDUCATION
AND OUTREACH.—The National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.), as amended, 
is further amended by inserting after section 17, the following: 
‘‘SEC. 18. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director is authorized to expend funds 
appropriated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, to 
support, promote, and coordinate activities and efforts to enhance 
public awareness and understanding of measurement sciences, 
15 USC 278g–1. 
Consultation. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Public 
information. 
Deadline. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01044
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3009 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
standards and technology at the national measurement laboratories 
and otherwise in fulfillment of the mission of the Institute. The 
Director may carry out activities under this subsection, including 
education and outreach activities to the general public, industry 
and academia in support of the Institute’s mission. 
‘‘(b) HIRING.—The Director, in coordination with the Director 
of the Office of Personnel Management, may revise the procedures 
the Director applies when making appointments to laboratory posi-
tions within the competitive service— 
‘‘(1) to ensure corporate memory of and expertise in the 
fundamental ongoing work, and on developing new capabilities 
in priority areas; 
‘‘(2) to maintain high overall technical competence; 
‘‘(3) to improve staff diversity; 
‘‘(4) to balance emphases on the noncore and core areas; 
or 
‘‘(5) to improve the ability of the Institute to compete in 
the marketplace for qualified personnel. 
‘‘(c) VOLUNTEERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director may establish a program 
to use volunteers in carrying out the programs of the Institute. 
‘‘(2) ACCEPTANCE OF PERSONNEL.—The Director may accept, 
subject to regulations issued by the Office of Personnel Manage-
ment, voluntary service for the Institute for such purpose if 
the service— 
‘‘(A) is to be without compensation; and 
‘‘(B) will not be used to displace any current employee 
or act as a substitute for any future full-time employee 
of the Institute. 
‘‘(3) FEDERAL EMPLOYEE STATUS.—Any individual who pro-
vides voluntary service under this subsection shall not be 
considered a Federal employee, except for purposes of chapter 
81 of title 5, United States Code (relating to compensation 
for injury), and sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, United 
States Code (relating to tort claims). 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director may expend funds appro-
priated for activities of the Institute in any fiscal year, as 
the Director considers appropriate, for awards of research 
fellowships and other forms of financial and logistical assist-
ance, including direct stipend awards to— 
‘‘(A) students at institutions of higher learning within 
the United States who show promise as present or future 
contributors to the mission of the Institute; and 
‘‘(B) United States citizens for research and technical 
activities of the Institute, including programs. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION
CRITERIA.—The selection of persons to 
receive such fellowships and assistance shall be made on the 
basis of ability and of the relevance of the proposed work 
to the mission and programs of the Institute. 
‘‘(3) FINANCIAL
AND
LOGISTICAL
ASSISTANCE.—Notwith-
standing section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, or any 
other law to the contrary, the Director may include as a form 
of financial or logistical assistance under this subsection tem-
porary housing and transportation to and from Institute facili-
ties. 
‘‘(e) EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.—The Director may— 
Regulations. 
Coordination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01045
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3010 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(1) facilitate education programs for undergraduate and 
graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and academic and 
industry employees; 
‘‘(2) sponsor summer workshops for STEM kindergarten 
through grade 12 teachers as appropriate; 
‘‘(3) develop programs for graduate student internships and 
visiting faculty researchers; 
‘‘(4) document publications, presentations, and interactions 
with visiting researchers and sponsoring interns as performance 
metrics for improving and continuing interactions with those 
individuals; and 
‘‘(5) facilitate laboratory tours and provide presentations 
for educational, industry, and community groups.’’. 
(c) POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—Section 19 of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
278g–2) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 19. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Institute and the National Academy 
of Sciences, jointly, shall establish and conduct a post-doctoral 
fellowship program, subject to the availability of appropriations. 
‘‘(b) ORGANIZATION.—The post-doctoral fellowship program shall 
include not less than 20 new fellows per fiscal year. 
‘‘(c) EVALUATIONS.—In evaluating applications for post-doctoral 
fellowships under this section, the Director of the Institute and 
the President of the National Academy of Sciences shall give consid-
eration to the goal of promoting the participation of individuals 
identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering 
Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in research areas 
supported by the Institute.’’. 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSES.— 
(1) RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSIST-
ANCE
TO
STUDENTS
AT
INSTITUTES
OF
HIGHER
EDUCATION.— 
The repeal made by subsection (a) of this section shall not 
affect any award of a research fellowship or other form of 
financial assistance made under section 18 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g– 
1) before the date of enactment of this Act. Such award shall 
continue to be subject to the requirements to which such funds 
were subject under that section before the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(2) POST-DOCTORAL
FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM.—The amend-
ment made by subsection (c) of this section shall not affect 
any award of a post-doctoral fellowship or other form of finan-
cial assistance made under section 19 of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–2) before 
the date of enactment of this Act. Such awards shall continue 
to be subject to the requirements to which such funds were 
subject under that section before the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 307. PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN STEM MEN-
TORING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall continue 
to administer awards on behalf of the Office of Science and Tech-
nology Policy to recognize outstanding mentoring in STEM fields. 
(b) ANNUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS.—The Director of the Founda-
tion shall provide Congress with a list of award recipients, including 
List. 
42 USC 1862s–6. 
15 USC 278g–2 
note. 
15 USC 278g–1 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01046
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3011 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
the name, institution, and a brief synopsis of the impact of the 
mentoring efforts. 
SEC. 308. WORKING GROUP ON INCLUSION IN STEM FIELDS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, in collaboration with Federal departments and agencies, 
shall establish an interagency working group to compile and 
summarize available research and best practices on how to promote 
diversity and inclusions in STEM fields and examine whether bar-
riers exist to promoting diversity and inclusion within Federal 
agencies employing scientists and engineers. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The working group shall be responsible 
for reviewing and assessing research, best practices, and policies 
across Federal science agencies related to the inclusion of individ-
uals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering 
Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b) in the Federal 
STEM workforce, including available research and best practices 
on how to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, 
including— 
(1) policies providing flexibility for scientists and engineers 
that are also caregivers, particularly on the timing of research 
grants; 
(2) policies to address the proper handling of claims of 
sexual harassment; 
(3) policies to minimize the effects of implicit bias and 
other systemic factors in hiring, promotion, evaluation and 
the workplace in general; and 
(4) other evidence-based strategies that the working group 
considers effective for promoting diversity and inclusion in the 
STEM fields. 
(c) STAKEHOLDER INPUT.—In carrying out the responsibilities 
under section (b), the working group shall solicit and consider 
input 
and 
recommendations 
from 
non-Federal 
stakeholders, 
including— 
(1) the Council of Advisors on Science and Technology; 
(2) federally funded and non-federally funded researchers, 
institutions of higher education, scientific disciplinary societies, 
and associations; 
(3) nonprofit research institutions; 
(4) industry, including small businesses; 
(5) federally funded research and development centers; 
(6) non-governmental organizations; and 
(7) such other members of the public interested in pro-
moting a diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce. 
(d) PUBLIC REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, and periodically thereafter, the working 
group shall publish a report on the review and assessment under 
subsection (b), including a summary of available research and best 
practices, any recommendations for Federal actions to promote a 
diverse and inclusive Federal STEM workforce, and updates on 
the implementation of previous recommendations for Federal 
actions. 
(e) TERMINATION.—The interagency working group established 
under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years 
after the date that it is established. 
Summary. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Updates. 
Compilation. 
Summary. 
42 USC 6626. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01047
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3012 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
SEC. 309. IMPROVING UNDERGRADUATE STEM EXPERIENCES. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
each Federal science agency should invest in and expand research 
opportunities for undergraduate students attending institutions of 
higher education during the undergraduate students’ first 2 aca-
demic years of postsecondary education. 
(b) IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each 
Federal agency shall submit to the President recommendations 
regarding how the agency could best fulfill the goals described 
in subsection (a). 
SEC. 310. COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that as the lead Federal agency 
for building the research knowledge base for computer science edu-
cation, the Foundation is well positioned to make investments that 
will accelerate ongoing efforts to enable rigorous and engaging 
computer science throughout the Nation as an integral part of 
STEM education. 
(b) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the Foundation shall 
award grants to eligible entities to research computer science 
education and computational thinking. 
(2) RESEARCH.—The research described in paragraph (1) 
may include the development or adaptation, piloting or full 
implementation, and testing of— 
(A) models of preservice preparation for teachers who 
will teach computer science and computational thinking; 
(B) scalable and sustainable models of professional 
development and ongoing support for the teachers described 
in subparagraph (A); 
(C) tools and models for teaching and learning aimed 
at supporting student success and inclusion in computing 
within and across diverse populations, particularly poor, 
rural, and tribal populations and other populations that 
have been historically underrepresented in computer 
science and STEM fields; and 
(D) high-quality learning opportunities for teaching 
computer science and, especially in poor, rural, or tribal 
schools at the elementary school and middle school levels, 
for integrating computational thinking into STEM teaching 
and learning. 
(c) COLLABORATIONS.—In carrying out the grants established 
in subsection (b), eligible entities may collaborate and partner with 
local or remote schools to support the integration of computing 
and computational thinking within pre-kindergarten through grade 
12 STEM curricula and instruction. 
(d) METRICS.—The Director of the Foundation shall develop 
metrics to measure the success of the grant program funded under 
this section in achieving program goals. 
(e) REPORT.—The Director of the Foundation shall report, in 
the annual budget submission to Congress, on the success of the 
program as measured by the metrics in subsection (d). 
(f) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible entity’’ means an institution of higher education or a non-
profit research organization. 
42 USC 1862s–7. 
Deadline. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01048
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3013 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
SEC. 311. INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION. 
(a) NATIONAL STEM PARTNERSHIP GRANTS.—Section 3(a) of 
the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) a national partnership of institutions involved in 
informal STEM learning.’’. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Section 3(b) of the STEM Education Act 
of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) fostering on-going partnerships between institutions 
involved in informal STEM learning, institutions of higher edu-
cation, and education research centers; and 
‘‘(4) developing, and making available informal STEM edu-
cation activities and educational materials.’’. 
SEC. 312. DEVELOPING STEM APPRENTICESHIPS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The lack of data on the return on investment for United 
States employers using registered apprenticeships makes it 
difficult— 
(A) to communicate the value of these programs to 
businesses; and 
(B) to expand registered apprenticeships. 
(2) The lack of data on the value and impact of employer- 
provided worker training, which is likely substantial, hinders 
the ability of the Federal Government to formulate policy 
related to workforce training. 
(3) The Secretary of Commerce has initiated— 
(A) the first study on the return on investment for 
United States employers using registered apprenticeships 
through case studies of firms in various sectors, occupa-
tions, and geographic locations to provide the business 
community with data on employer benefits and costs; and 
(B) discussions with officials at relevant Federal agen-
cies about the need to collect comprehensive data on— 
(i) employer-provided worker training; and 
(ii) existing tools that could be used to collect such 
data. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT OF APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary of Commerce shall continue to research the value to 
businesses of utilizing apprenticeship programs, including— 
(1) evidence of return on investment of apprenticeships, 
including estimates for the average time it takes a business 
to recover the costs associated with training apprentices; and 
(2) data from the United States Census Bureau and other 
statistical surveys on employer-provided training, including 
apprenticeships and other on-the-job training and industry- 
recognized certification programs. 
15 USC 3723 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01049
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3014 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(c) DISSEMINATION OF APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary of Commerce shall disseminate findings from research on 
apprenticeships to businesses and other relevant stakeholders, 
including— 
(1) institutions of higher education; 
(2) State and local chambers of commerce; and 
(3) workforce training organizations. 
(d) NEW APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM STUDY.—The Secretary of 
Commerce may collaborate with the Secretary of Labor to study 
approaches for reducing the cost of creating new apprenticeship 
programs and hosting apprentices for businesses, particularly small 
businesses, including— 
(1) training sharing agreements; 
(2) group training models; and 
(3) pooling resources and best practices. 
(e) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION GRANTS.—The 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 28. STEM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce may carry out 
a grant program to identify the need for skilled science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this section as ‘STEM’) 
workers and to expand STEM apprenticeship programs. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘eligible recipient’ means— 
‘‘(1) a State; 
‘‘(2) an Indian tribe; 
‘‘(3) a city or other political subdivision of a State; 
‘‘(4) an entity that— 
‘‘(A) is a nonprofit organization, an institution of higher 
education, a public-private partnership, a science or 
research park, a Federal laboratory, or an economic 
development organization or similar entity; and 
‘‘(B) has an application that is supported by a State, 
a political subdivision of a State, or a native organization; 
or 
‘‘(5) a consortium of any of the entities described in para-
graphs (1) through (5). 
‘‘(c) NEEDS ASSESSMENT GRANTS.—The Secretary of Commerce 
may provide a grant to an eligible recipient to conduct a needs 
assessment to identify— 
‘‘(1) the unmet need of a region’s employer base for skilled 
STEM workers; 
‘‘(2) the potential of STEM apprenticeships to address the 
unmet need described in paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(3) any barriers to addressing the unmet need described 
in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(d) APPRENTICESHIP EXPANSION GRANTS.—The Secretary of 
Commerce may provide a grant to an eligible recipient that has 
conducted a needs assessment as described in subsection (c)(1) 
to develop infrastructure to expand STEM apprenticeship pro-
grams.’’. 
SEC. 313. NSF REPORT ON BROADENING PARTICIPATION. 
Section 204(e) of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1885c(e)) is amended to read as follows: 
15 USC 3723. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01050
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3015 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(e) BIENNIAL REPORT.—Every 2 years, the Committee shall 
prepare and submit to the Director a report on its activities during 
the previous 2 years and proposed activities for the next 2 years. 
The Director shall submit to Congress the report, unaltered, 
together with such comments as the Director considers appropriate, 
including— 
‘‘(1) review data on the participation in Foundation activi-
ties of institutions serving populations that are underrep-
resented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, and tribal 
populations; and 
‘‘(2) recommendations regarding how the Foundation could 
improve outreach and inclusion of these populations in Founda-
tion activities.’’. 
SEC. 314. NOAA SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4002(a) of the America COMPETES 
Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘agency, with consid-
eration given to the goal of promoting the participation of individ-
uals from underrepresented groups’’ and inserting ‘‘the agency, with 
consideration given to the goal of promoting the participation of 
individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and 
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b)’’. 
(b) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GOALS.—Section 4002(b)(4) of the 
America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(b)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) and subparagraph 
(D); 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: 
‘‘(C) are designed considering the unique needs of 
underrepresented groups, translating such materials and 
other resources;’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) are promoted widely, especially among individuals 
identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and 
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 
1885b); and’’. 
(c) METRICS.—Section 4002 of the America COMPETES Act 
(33 U.S.C. 893a) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
(e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by adding after section (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) METRICS.—In executing the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration science education plan under sub-
section (c), the Administrator shall maintain a comprehensive 
system for evaluating the Administration’s educational programs 
and activities. In so doing, the Administrator shall ensure that 
such education programs have measurable objectives and milestones 
as well as clear, documented metrics for evaluating programs. For 
each such education program or portfolio of similar programs, the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) encourage the collection of evidence as relevant to 
the measurable objectives and milestones; and 
‘‘(2) ensure that program or portfolio evaluations focus on 
educational outcomes and not just inputs, activities completed, 
or the number of participants.’’. 
Evaluation. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Review. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01051
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3016 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
SEC. 315. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PRO-
GRAM UPDATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7033(a) of the America COMPETES 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–12(a)) is amended as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall award grants on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions 
(as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1101a)) to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM 
education at such institutions and to increase the retention and 
graduation rates of students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate 
degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.’’. 
(b) SAVINGS PROVISION.—The amendment made by subsection 
(a) of this section shall not affect any award of a grant or other 
form of financial assistance made under section 7033 of the America 
COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–12) before the date of enactment 
of this Act. Such awards shall continue to be subject to the require-
ments to which such funds were subject under that section before 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE IV—LEVERAGING THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR 
SEC. 401. PRIZE COMPETITION AUTHORITY UPDATE. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Science 
Prize Competition Act’’. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Tech-
nology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘PRIZES’’ 
and by inserting ‘‘PRIZE COMPETITIONS’’; 
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘prize may be one or more of the following’’ and inserting 
‘‘prize competition may be 1 or more of the following types 
of activities’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘competition’’ after 
‘‘prize’’; and 
(D) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking ‘‘prizes’’ and 
inserting ‘‘prize competitions’’; 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘in the Federal Register’’ and inserting ‘‘on a publicly acces-
sible Government website, such as www.challenge.gov,’’; 
(B) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ 
before ‘‘competition’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘prize’’ and inserting 
‘‘cash prize purse or non-cash prize award’’; 
(3) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘prize’’ and inserting ‘‘cash prize purse’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘com-
petition’’; 
(4) in subsection (h), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘competi-
tion’’ each place it appears; 
(5) in subsection (i)— 
Science Prize 
Competition Act. 
15 USC 3701 
note. 
42 USC 1862o–12 
note. 
Grants. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01052
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3017 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before 
‘‘competition’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before 
‘‘competition’’ each place it appears; 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) WAIVERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An agency may waive the require-
ment under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(B) LIST.—The Director shall include a list of all of 
the waivers granted under this paragraph during the pre-
ceding fiscal year, including a detailed explanation of the 
reason for granting the waiver.’’; 
(6) in subsection (j)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘com-
petition’’; and 
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) LICENSES.—As appropriate and to further the goals 
of a prize competition, the Federal Government may negotiate 
a license for the use of intellectual property developed by a 
registered participant in a prize competition.’’; 
(7) in subsection (k)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘each competition’’ 
and inserting ‘‘each prize competition’’ each place it 
appears; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before 
‘‘competition’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘prize’’ before ‘‘com-
petitions’’ each place it appears; 
(8) in subsection (l), by striking ‘‘an agreement with’’ and 
all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other agreement 
with a private sector for-profit or nonprofit entity or State 
or local government agency to administer the prize competition, 
subject to the provisions of this section.’’; 
(9) in subsection (m)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Support for a prize competition under 
this section, including financial support for the design and 
administration of a prize competition or funds for a cash prize 
purse, may consist of Federal appropriated funds and funds 
provided by private sector for-profit and nonprofit entities. The 
head of an agency may request and accept funds from other 
Federal agencies, State, United States territory, local, or tribal 
government agencies, private sector for-profit entities, and non-
profit entities, to be available to the extent provided by appro-
priations Acts, to support such prize competitions. The head 
of an agency may not give any special consideration to any 
agency or entity in return for a donation.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘prize awards’’ and 
inserting ‘‘cash prize purses or non-cash prize awards’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(A) ANNOUNCEMENT.—No prize competition may be 
announced under subsection (f) until all the funds needed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01053
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3018 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
to pay out the announced amount of the cash prize purse 
have been appropriated or committed in writing by a pri-
vate or State, United States territory, local, or tribal 
government source.’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘a prize’’ and inserting ‘‘a cash prize purse 
or non-cash prize award’’; 
(II) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘competition’’ 
after ‘‘prize’’; and 
(III) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘or State, 
United States territory, local, or tribal govern-
ment’’ after ‘‘private’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘a prize’’ and inserting ‘‘a cash 
prize purse or a non-cash prize award’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘Science and Technology’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Science, Space, and Technology’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘cash prizes’’ 
and inserting ‘‘cash prize purses or non-cash prize 
awards’’; 
(10) in subsection (n)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘SERVICE’’ and inserting 
‘‘SERVICES’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘the date of the enactment of the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the date of enactment of the American Innova-
tion and Competitiveness Act,’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘for both for-profit and nonprofit enti-
ties and State, United States territory, local, and tribal 
government entities,’’ after ‘‘contract vehicle’’; 
(11) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ‘‘or providing a prize’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a prize competition or providing a cash prize 
purse or non-cash prize award’’; and 
(12) in subsection (p)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘ANNUAL’’ and inserting 
‘‘BIENNIAL’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘each year’’ and inserting ‘‘every 
other year’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Science and Technology’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Science, Space, and Technology’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘fiscal year’’ and inserting ‘‘2 fiscal 
years’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The report for a fiscal year’’ and 
inserting ‘‘A report’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C)— 
(I) in the heading, by striking ‘‘PRIZES’’ and 
inserting ‘‘PRIZE
PURSES
OR
NON-CASH
PRIZE 
AWARDS’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘cash prizes’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘cash prize purses or non- 
cash prize awards’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01054
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3019 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(G) PLAN.—A description of crosscutting topical areas 
and agency-specific mission needs that may be the 
strongest opportunities for prize competitions during the 
upcoming 2 fiscal years.’’. 
SEC. 402. CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN SCIENCE. 
(a) SHORT
TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the authority granted to Federal agencies under the 
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111–358; 124 Stat. 3982) to pursue the use of incentive prizes 
and challenges has yielded numerous benefits; 
(2) crowdsourcing and citizen science projects have a 
number of additional unique benefits, including accelerating 
scientific research, increasing cost effectiveness to maximize 
the return on taxpayer dollars, addressing societal needs, pro-
viding hands-on learning in STEM, and connecting members 
of the public directly to Federal science agency missions and 
to each other; and 
(3) granting Federal science agencies the direct, explicit 
authority to use crowdsourcing and citizen science will encour-
age its appropriate use to advance Federal science agency mis-
sions and stimulate and facilitate broader public participation 
in the innovation process, yielding numerous benefits to the 
Federal Government and citizens who participate in such 
projects. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CITIZEN SCIENCE.—The term ‘‘citizen science’’ means 
a form of open collaboration in which individuals or organiza-
tions participate voluntarily in the scientific process in various 
ways, including— 
(A) enabling the formulation of research questions; 
(B) creating and refining project design; 
(C) conducting scientific experiments; 
(D) collecting and analyzing data; 
(E) interpreting the results of data; 
(F) developing technologies and applications; 
(G) making discoveries; and 
(H) solving problems. 
(2) CROWDSOURCING.—The term ‘‘crowdsourcing’’ means a 
method to obtain needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting 
voluntary contributions from a group of individuals or organiza-
tions, especially from an online community. 
(3) PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘‘participant’’ means any indi-
vidual or other entity that has volunteered in a crowdsourcing 
or citizen science project under this section. 
(d) CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN SCIENCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The head of each Federal science agency, 
or the heads of multiple Federal science agencies working 
cooperatively, may utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science 
to conduct projects designed to advance the mission of the 
respective Federal science agency or the joint mission of Federal 
science agencies, as applicable. 
(2) VOLUNTARY SERVICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 
of title 31, United States Code, the head of a Federal science 
agency may accept, subject to regulations issued by the Director 
Crowdsourcing 
and Citizen 
Science Act. 
15 USC 3724. 
Time period. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01055
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3020 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
of the Office of Personnel Management, in coordination with 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, 
services from participants under this section if such services— 
(A) are performed voluntarily as a part of a 
crowdsourcing or citizen science project authorized under 
paragraph (1); 
(B) are not financially compensated for their time; 
and 
(C) will not be used to displace any employee of the 
Federal Government. 
(3) OUTREACH.—The head of each Federal science agency 
engaged in a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under 
this section shall make public and promote such project to 
encourage broad participation. 
(4) CONSENT, REGISTRATION, AND TERMS OF USE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each Federal science agency shall 
determine the appropriate level of consent, registration, 
or acknowledgment of the terms of use that are required 
from participants in crowdsourcing or citizen science 
projects under this section on a per-project basis. 
(B) DISCLOSURES.—In seeking consent, conducting reg-
istration, or developing terms of use for a project under 
this subsection, a Federal science agency shall disclose 
the privacy, intellectual property, data ownership, com-
pensation, service, program, and other terms of use to 
the participant in a clear and reasonable manner. 
(C) MODE OF CONSENT.—A Federal agency or Federal 
science agencies, as applicable, may obtain consent elec-
tronically or in written form from participants under this 
section. 
(5) 
PROTECTIONS
FOR
HUMAN
SUBJECTS.—Any 
crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this section that 
involves research involving human subjects shall be subject 
to part 46 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
successor regulation). 
(6) DATA.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—A Federal science agency shall, 
where appropriate and to the extent practicable, make 
data collected through a crowdsourcing or citizen science 
project under this section available to the public, in a 
machine readable format, unless prohibited by law. 
(B) NOTICE.—As part of the consent process, the Fed-
eral science agency shall notify all participants— 
(i) of the expected uses of the data compiled 
through the project; 
(ii) if the Federal science agency will retain owner-
ship of such data; 
(iii) if and how the data and results from the 
project would be made available for public or third 
party use; and 
(iv) if participants are authorized to publish such 
data. 
(7) TECHNOLOGIES
AND
APPLICATIONS.—Federal science 
agencies shall endeavor to make technologies, applications, 
code, and derivations of such intellectual property developed 
through a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this 
section available to the public. 
Public 
information. 
Public 
information. 
Determination. 
Public 
information. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01056
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3021 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(8) LIABILITY.—Each participant in a crowdsourcing or cit-
izen science project under this section shall agree— 
(A) to assume any and all risks associated with such 
participation; and 
(B) to waive all claims against the Federal Government 
and its related entities, except for claims based on willful 
misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of prop-
erty, revenue, or profits (whether direct, indirect, or con-
sequential) arising from participation in the project. 
(9) RESEARCH
MISCONDUCT.—Federal science agencies 
coordinating crowdsourcing or citizen science projects under 
this section shall make all practicable efforts to ensure that 
participants adhere to all relevant Federal research misconduct 
policies and other applicable ethics policies. 
(10) MULTI-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS.—The head of each Fed-
eral science agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science 
under this section, or the heads of multiple Federal science 
agencies working cooperatively, may enter into a contract or 
other agreement to share administrative duties for such projects 
with— 
(A) a for profit or nonprofit private sector entity, 
including a private institution of higher education; 
(B) a State, tribal, local, or foreign government agency, 
including a public institution of higher education; or 
(C) a public-private partnership. 
(11) FUNDING.—In carrying out crowdsourcing and citizen 
science projects under this section, the head of a Federal science 
agency, or the heads of multiple Federal science agencies 
working cooperatively— 
(A) may use funds appropriated by Congress; 
(B) may publicize projects and solicit and accept funds 
or in-kind support for such projects, to be available to 
the extent provided by appropriations Acts, from— 
(i) other Federal agencies; 
(ii) for profit or nonprofit private sector entities, 
including private institutions of higher education; or 
(iii) State, tribal, local, or foreign government agen-
cies, including public institutions of higher education; 
and 
(C) may not give any special consideration to any entity 
described in subparagraph (B) in return for such funds 
or in-kind support. 
(12) FACILITATION.— 
(A) GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANCE.— 
The Administrator of the General Services Administration, 
in coordination with the Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management and the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, shall, at no cost to Federal science agen-
cies, identify and develop relevant products, training, and 
services to facilitate the use of crowdsourcing and citizen 
science projects under this section, including by specifying 
the appropriate contract vehicles and technology and 
organizational platforms to enhance the ability of Federal 
science agencies to carry out the projects under this section. 
(B) ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.—The head of each Federal 
science agency engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science 
under this section may— 
Coordination. 
Waiver. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01057
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3022 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(i) consult any guidance provided by the Director 
of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, 
including the Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen 
Science Toolkit; 
(ii) designate a coordinator for that Federal science 
agency’s crowdsourcing and citizen science projects; 
and 
(iii) share best practices with other Federal agen-
cies, including participation of staff in the Federal 
Community of Practice for Crowdsourcing and Citizen 
Science. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall include, as a component 
of an annual report required under section 24(p) of the Steven-
son-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3719(p)), a report on the projects and activities carried out 
under this section. 
(2) INFORMATION
INCLUDED.—The report required under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) a summary of each crowdsourcing and citizen 
science project conducted by a Federal science agency 
during the most recently completed 2 fiscal years, including 
a description of the proposed goals of each crowdsourcing 
and citizen science project; 
(B) 
an 
analysis 
of 
why 
the 
utilization 
of 
a 
crowdsourcing or citizen science project summarized in 
subparagraph (A) was the preferable method of achieving 
the goals described in subparagraph (A) as opposed to 
other authorities available to the Federal science agency, 
such as contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and 
prize competitions; 
(C) the participation rates, submission levels, number 
of consents, and any other statistic that might be consid-
ered relevant in each crowdsourcing and citizen science 
project; 
(D) a detailed description of— 
(i) the resources, including personnel and funding, 
that were used in the execution of each crowdsourcing 
and citizen science project; 
(ii) the project activities for which such resources 
were used; and 
(iii) how the obligations and expenditures relating 
to the project’s execution were allocated among the 
accounts of the Federal science agency, including a 
description of the amount and source of all funds, 
private, public, and in-kind, contributed to each 
crowdsourcing and citizen science project; 
(E) a summary of the use of crowdsourcing and citizen 
science by all Federal science agencies, including inter-
agency and multi-sector partnerships; 
(F) a description of how each crowdsourcing and citizen 
science project advanced the mission of each participating 
Federal science agency; 
(G) an identification of each crowdsourcing or citizen 
science project where data collected through such project 
Summary. 
Analysis. 
Summary. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01058
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3023 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
was not made available to the public, including the reasons 
for such action; and 
(H) any other information that the Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy considers relevant. 
(f) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section may be con-
strued— 
(1) to affect the authority to conduct crowdsourcing and 
citizen science authorized by any other provision of law; or 
(2) to displace Federal Government resources allocated to 
the Federal science agencies that use crowdsourcing or citizen 
science authorized under this section to carry out a project. 
SEC. 403. NIST DIRECTOR FUNCTIONS UPDATE. 
Section 2(b) of the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)), as amended by section 403 of this 
Act, is further amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘authorized to take’’ and inserting ‘‘authorized to serve as the 
President’s principal adviser on standards policy pertaining 
to the Nation’s technological competitiveness and innovation 
ability and to take’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘compare standards’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘Federal Government’’ and inserting 
‘‘facilitate standards-related information sharing and coopera-
tion between Federal agencies’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘Federal, State, and 
local’’ and all that follows through ‘‘private sector’’ and inserting 
‘‘technical standards activities and conformity assessment 
activities of Federal, State, and local governments with private 
sector’’. 
SEC. 404. NIST VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 
UPDATE. 
Section 10 of the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology Act (15 U.S.C. 278) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘15 members 
appointed by the Director, at least 10 of whom’’ and 
inserting ‘‘not fewer than 9 members appointed by the 
Director, a majority of whom’’; and 
(B) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘National Bureau 
of Standards’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ‘‘, including the Program 
established under section 28,’’. 
TITLE V—MANUFACTURING 
SEC. 501. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Manufac-
turing Extension Partnership Improvement Act’’. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Section 25 of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended to read 
as follows: 
Manufacturing 
Extension 
Partnership 
Improvement 
Act. 
15 USC 271 note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01059
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3024 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘SEC. 25. HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CONGRESS.—The term 
‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; and 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(2) AREA CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SCHOOL.— 
The term ‘area career and technical education school’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Vocational Education 
Act of 1963 (20 U.S.C. 2302). 
‘‘(3) CENTER.—The term ‘Center’ means a manufacturing 
extension center that— 
‘‘(A) is created under subsection (b); and 
‘‘(B) is affiliated with an eligible entity that applies 
for and is awarded financial support under subsection (e). 
‘‘(4) COMMUNITY COLLEGE.—The term ‘community college’ 
means an institution of higher education (as defined under 
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001(a))) at which the highest degree that is predominately 
awarded to students is an associate’s degree. 
‘‘(5) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means a 
United States-based nonprofit institution, or consortium 
thereof, an institution of higher education, or a State, United 
States territory, local, or tribal government. 
‘‘(6) HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP OR 
PROGRAM.—The term ‘Hollings Manufacturing Extension Part-
nership’ or ‘Program’ means the program established under 
subsection (b). 
‘‘(7) MEP ADVISORY
BOARD.—The term ‘MEP Advisory 
Board’ means the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
Advisory Board established under subsection (n). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT
AND
PURPOSE.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Director and, if appropriate, through other Federal 
officials, shall establish a program to provide assistance for the 
creation and support of manufacturing extension centers for the 
transfer of manufacturing technology and best business practices. 
‘‘(c) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the Program shall be to 
enhance competitiveness, productivity, and technological perform-
ance in United States manufacturing through— 
‘‘(1) the transfer of manufacturing technology and tech-
niques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through them, 
to manufacturing companies throughout the United States; 
‘‘(2) the participation of individuals from industry, institu-
tions of higher education, State governments, other Federal 
agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in cooperative 
technology transfer activities; 
‘‘(3) efforts to make new manufacturing technology and 
processes usable by United States-based small and medium- 
sized companies; 
‘‘(4) the active dissemination of scientific, engineering, tech-
nical, and management information about manufacturing to 
industrial firms, including small and medium-sized manufac-
turing companies; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01060
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3025 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(5) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise and 
capability that exists in Federal agencies, other than the 
Institute, and federally-sponsored laboratories; 
‘‘(6) the provision to community colleges and area career 
and technical education schools of information about the job 
skills needed in manufacturing companies, including small and 
medium-sized manufacturing businesses in the regions they 
serve; 
‘‘(7) the promotion and expansion of certification systems 
offered through industry, associations, and local colleges when 
appropriate, including efforts such as facilitating training, sup-
porting new or existing apprenticeships, and providing access 
to information and experts, to address workforce needs and 
skills gaps in order to assist small- and medium-sized manufac-
turing businesses; and 
‘‘(8) the growth in employment and wages at United States- 
based small and medium-sized companies. 
‘‘(d) ACTIVITIES.—The activities of a Center shall include— 
‘‘(1) the establishment of automated manufacturing systems 
and other advanced production technologies, based on Institute- 
supported research, for the purpose of demonstrations and tech-
nology transfer; 
‘‘(2) the active transfer and dissemination of research 
findings and Center expertise to a wide range of companies 
and enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized manufac-
turers; and 
‘‘(3) the facilitation of collaborations and partnerships 
between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, 
community colleges, and area career and technical education 
schools, to help those entities better understand the specific 
needs of manufacturers and to help manufacturers better 
understand the skill sets that students learn in the programs 
offered by such colleges and schools. 
‘‘(e) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
the Secretary may provide financial assistance for the creation 
and support of a Center through a cooperative agreement with 
an eligible entity. 
‘‘(2) COST SHARING.—The Secretary may not provide more 
than 50 percent of the capital and annual operating and mainte-
nance funds required to establish and support a Center. 
‘‘(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—For purposes of paragraph 
(2), any amount received by an eligible entity for a Center 
under a provision of law other than paragraph (1) shall not 
be considered an amount provided under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may revise or promul-
gate such regulations as necessary to carry out this subsection. 
‘‘(f) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible entity shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.—The Secretary shall establish 
and update, as necessary— 
‘‘(A) a description of the Program; 
‘‘(B) the application procedures; 
‘‘(C) performance metrics; 
‘‘(D) criteria for determining qualified applicants; and 
Update. 
Procedures. 
Criteria. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01061
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3026 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(E) criteria for choosing recipients of financial assist-
ance from among the qualified applicants. 
‘‘(F) procedures for determining allowable cost share 
contributions; and 
‘‘(G) such other program policy objectives and oper-
ational procedures as the Secretary considers necessary. 
‘‘(3) COST SHARING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be considered for financial assist-
ance under this section, an applicant shall provide adequate 
assurances that the applicant and if applicable, the 
applicant’s partnering organizations, will obtain funding 
for not less than 50 percent of the capital and annual 
operating and maintenance funds required to establish and 
support the Center from sources other than the financial 
assistance provided under subsection (e). 
‘‘(B) AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER ENTITIES.—In meeting 
the cost-sharing requirement under subparagraph (A), an 
eligible entity may enter into an agreement with 1 or 
more other entities, such as a private industry, institutions 
of higher education, or a State, United States territory, 
local, or tribal government for the contribution by that 
other entity of funding if the Secretary determines the 
agreement— 
‘‘(i) is programmatically reasonable; 
‘‘(ii) will help accomplish programmatic objectives; 
and 
‘‘(iii) is allocable under Program procedures under 
subsection (f)(2). 
‘‘(4) LEGAL RIGHTS.—Each applicant shall include in the 
application a proposal for the allocation of the legal rights 
associated with any intellectual property which may result 
from the activities of the Center. 
‘‘(5) MERIT REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall subject each 
application to merit review. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making a decision whether 
to approve an application and provide financial assistance 
under subsection (e), the Secretary shall consider, at a 
minimum— 
‘‘(i) the merits of the application, particularly those 
portions of the application regarding technology 
transfer, training and education, and adaptation of 
manufacturing technologies to the needs of particular 
industrial sectors; 
‘‘(ii) the quality of service to be provided; 
‘‘(iii) the geographical diversity and extent of the 
service area; and 
‘‘(iv) the type and percentage of funding and in- 
kind commitment from other sources under paragraph 
(3). 
‘‘(g) EVALUATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) THIRD AND EIGHTH YEAR EVALUATIONS BY PANEL.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
each Center is evaluated during its third and eighth years 
of operation by an evaluation panel appointed by the Sec-
retary. 
Determination. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01062
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3027 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(B) COMPOSITION.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
each evaluation panel appointed under subparagraph (A) 
is composed of— 
‘‘(i) private experts, none of whom are connected 
with the Center evaluated by the panel; and 
‘‘(ii) Federal officials. 
‘‘(C) 
CHAIRPERSON.—For 
each 
evaluation 
panel 
appointed under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall 
appoint a chairperson who is an official of the Institute. 
‘‘(2) FIFTH YEAR EVALUATIONS BY SECRETARY.—In the fifth 
year of operation of a Center, the Secretary shall conduct 
a review of the Center. 
‘‘(3) PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT.—In evaluating a Center 
an evaluation panel or the Secretary, as applicable, shall 
measure the performance of the Center against— 
‘‘(A) the objective specified in subsection (c); 
‘‘(B) the performance metrics under subsection (f)(2)(C); 
and 
‘‘(C) such other criterion as considered appropriate by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) POSITIVE EVALUATIONS.—If an evaluation of a Center 
is positive, the Secretary may continue to provide financial 
assistance for the Center— 
‘‘(A) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the third 
year of a Center, through the fifth year of the Center; 
‘‘(B) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the fifth 
year of a Center, through the eighth year of the Center; 
and 
‘‘(C) in the case of an evaluation occurring in the eighth 
year of a Center, through the tenth year of the Center. 
‘‘(5) OTHER THAN POSITIVE EVALUATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) PROBATION.—If an evaluation of a Center is other 
than positive, the Secretary shall put the Center on proba-
tion during the period beginning on the date that the 
Center receives notice under subparagraph (B)(i) and 
ending on the date that the reevaluation is complete under 
subparagraph (B)(iii). 
‘‘(B) NOTICE AND REEVALUATION.—If a Center receives 
an evaluation that is other than positive, the evaluation 
panel or Secretary, as applicable, shall— 
‘‘(i) notify the Center of the reason, including any 
deficiencies in the performance of the Center identified 
during the evaluation; 
‘‘(ii) assist the Center in remedying the deficiencies 
by providing the Center, not less frequently than once 
every 3 months, an analysis of the Center, if considered 
appropriate by the panel or Secretary, as applicable; 
and 
‘‘(iii) reevaluate the Center not later than 1 year 
after the date of the notice under clause (i). 
‘‘(C) CONTINUED SUPPORT DURING PERIOD OF PROBA-
TION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may continue to 
provide financial assistance under subsection (e) for 
a Center during the probation period. 
‘‘(ii) POST PROBATION.—After the period of proba-
tion, the Secretary shall not provide any financial 
Analysis. 
Deadlines. 
Time period. 
Review. 
Appointment. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01063
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3028 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
assistance unless the Center has received a positive 
evaluation under subparagraph (B)(iii). 
‘‘(6) FAILURE TO REMEDY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If a Center fails to remedy a defi-
ciency or to show significant improvement in performance 
before the end of the probation period under paragraph 
(5), the Secretary shall conduct a competition to select 
an operator for the Center under subsection (h). 
‘‘(B) TREATMENT OF CENTERS SUBJECT TO NEW COMPETI-
TION.—Upon the selection of an operator for a Center under 
subsection (h), the Center shall be considered a new Center 
and the calculation of the years of operation of that Center 
for purposes of paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection 
and subsection (h)(1) shall start anew. 
‘‘(h) REAPPLICATION COMPETITION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
AFTER 10 YEARS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—If an eligible entity has operated a 
Center under this section for a period of 10 consecutive years, 
the Secretary shall conduct a competition to select an eligible 
entity to operate the Center in accordance with the process 
plan under subsection (i). 
‘‘(2) INCUMBENT ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An eligible entity that 
has received financial assistance under this section for a period 
of 10 consecutive years and that the Secretary determines 
is in good standing shall be eligible to compete in the competi-
tion under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT OF CENTERS SUBJECT TO REAPPLICATION 
COMPETITION.—Upon the selection of an operator for a Center 
under paragraph (1), the Center shall be considered a new 
Center and the calculation of the years of operation of that 
Center for purposes of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection 
(g) shall start anew. 
‘‘(i) PROCESS PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of the American Innovation and Competitiveness 
Act, the Secretary shall implement and submit to Congress a plan 
for how the Institute will conduct an evaluation, competition, and 
reapplication competition under this section. 
‘‘(j) OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF CENTER 
CLIENTS.—The following information, if obtained by the Federal 
Government in connection with an activity of a Center or the 
Program, shall be exempt from public disclosure under section 
552 of title 5, United States Code: 
‘‘(A) Information on the business operation of any 
participant in the Program or of a client of a Center. 
‘‘(B) Trade secrets of any client of a Center. 
‘‘(k) OVERSIGHT BOARDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—As a condition on receipt of financial 
assistance for a Center under subsection (e), an eligible entity 
shall establish a board to oversee the operations of the Center. 
‘‘(2) STANDARDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall establish appro-
priate standards for each board described under paragraph 
(1). 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In establishing the standards, 
the Director shall take into account the type and organiza-
tional structure of an eligible entity. 
Establishment. 
Deadline. 
Evaluation. 
Competition. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01064
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3029 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(C) REQUIREMENTS.—The standards shall address— 
‘‘(i) membership; 
‘‘(ii) composition; 
‘‘(iii) term limits; 
‘‘(iv) conflicts of interest; and 
‘‘(v) such other requirements as the Director con-
siders necessary. 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each board established under para-
graph (1) shall be composed of members as follows: 
‘‘(i) The membership of each board shall be rep-
resentative of stakeholders in the region in which the 
Center is located. 
‘‘(ii) A majority of the members of the board shall 
be selected from among individuals who own or are 
employed by small or medium-sized manufacturers. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—A member of a board established 
under paragraph (1) may not serve on more than 1 board 
established under that paragraph. 
‘‘(4) BYLAWS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each board established under para-
graph (1) shall adopt and submit to the Director bylaws 
to govern the operation of the board. 
‘‘(B) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—Bylaws adopted under 
subparagraph (A) shall include policies to minimize con-
flicts of interest, including such policies relating to disclo-
sure of relationships and recusal as may be necessary 
to minimize conflicts of interest. 
‘‘(l) ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS.—In addition to such sums as may 
be appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Pro-
gram, the Secretary and Director may also accept funds from other 
Federal departments and agencies and from the private sector 
under section 2(c)(7) of this Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)(7)), to be available 
to the extent provided by appropriations Acts, for the purpose 
of strengthening United States manufacturing. 
‘‘(m) MEP ADVISORY BOARD.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the 
Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory 
Board. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) COMPOSITION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The MEP Advisory Board shall 
consist of not fewer than 10 members appointed by 
the Director and broadly representative of stake-
holders. 
‘‘(ii) REQUIREMENTS.—Of the members appointed 
under clause (i)— 
‘‘(I) at least 2 members shall be employed by 
or on an advisory board for a Center; 
‘‘(II) at least 5 members shall be from United 
States small businesses in the manufacturing 
sector; and 
‘‘(III) at least 1 member shall represent a 
community college. 
‘‘(iii) 
LIMITATION.—No 
member 
of 
the 
MEP 
Advisory Board shall be an employee of the Federal 
Government. 
Appointment. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01065
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3030 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(B) TERM.—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), 
the term of office of each member of the MEP Advisory 
Board shall be 3 years. 
‘‘(C) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill a 
vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for 
which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 
for the remainder of such term. 
‘‘(D) SERVING CONSECUTIVE TERMS.—Any person who 
has completed 2 consecutive full terms of service on the 
MEP Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible for 
appointment during the 1-year period following the expira-
tion of the second such term. 
‘‘(3) MEETINGS.—The MEP Advisory Board shall— 
‘‘(A) meet not less than biannually; and 
‘‘(B) provide to the Director— 
‘‘(i) advice on the activities, plans, and policies 
of the Program; 
‘‘(ii) assessments of the soundness of the plans 
and strategies of the Program; and 
‘‘(iii) assessments of current performance against 
the plans of the Program. 
‘‘(4) FACA APPLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In discharging its duties under this 
subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function solely 
in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act shall not apply to the MEP Advisory Board. 
‘‘(5) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—At a minimum, the MEP Advisory 
Board shall transmit an annual report to the Secretary 
for transmittal to Congress not later than 30 days after 
the submission to Congress of the President’s annual 
budget under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The report shall address the status 
of the Program and describe the relevant sections of the 
programmatic planning document and updates thereto 
transmitted to Congress by the Director under subsections 
(c) and (d) of section 23 (15 U.S.C. 278i). 
‘‘(n) SMALL MANUFACTURERS.— 
‘‘(1) EVALUATION OF OBSTACLES.—As part of the Program, 
the Director shall— 
‘‘(A) identify obstacles that prevent small manufactur-
ers from effectively competing in the global market; 
‘‘(B) implement a comprehensive plan to train the Cen-
ters to address the obstacles identified in paragraph (2); 
and 
‘‘(C) facilitate improved communication between the 
Centers to assist such manufacturers in implementing 
appropriate, targeted solutions to the obstacles identified 
in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF OPEN ACCESS RESOURCES.—As part 
of the Program, the Secretary shall develop open access 
resources that address best practices related to inventory 
sourcing, supply chain management, manufacturing techniques, 
available Federal resources, and other topics to further the 
competitiveness and profitability of small manufacturers.’’. 
Records. 
Plan. 
Assessments. 
Time period. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01066
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3031 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(c) COMPETITIVE AWARDS PROGRAM.—The National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended 
by inserting after section 25 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 25A. COMPETITIVE AWARDS PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish within the 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership under section 25 
(15 U.S.C. 278k) and section 26 (15 U.S.C. 278l) a program of 
competitive awards among participants described in subsection (b) 
of this section for the purposes described in subsection (c). 
‘‘(b) PARTICIPANTS.—Participants receiving awards under this 
section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Centers. 
‘‘(c) PURPOSE, THEMES, AND REIMBURSEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program established 
under subsection (a) is to add capabilities to the Hollings Manu-
facturing Extension Partnership, including the development of 
projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems as 
determined by the Director, in consultation with the Director 
of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the MEP 
Advisory Board, other Federal agencies, and small and medium- 
sized manufacturers. 
‘‘(2) THEMES.—The Director may identify 1 or more themes 
for a competition carried out under this section, which may 
vary from year to year, as the Director considers appropriate 
after assessing the needs of manufacturers and the success 
of previous competitions. 
‘‘(3) REIMBURSEMENT.—Centers may be reimbursed for 
costs incurred by the Centers under this section. 
‘‘(d) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards under this section 
shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing 
such information as the Director shall require in consultation with 
the MEP Advisory Board. 
‘‘(e) SELECTION.— 
‘‘(1) PEER
REVIEW
AND
COMPETITIVELY
AWARDED.—The 
Director shall ensure that awards under this section are peer 
reviewed and competitively awarded. 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY.—The Director shall endeavor 
to have broad geographic diversity among selected proposals. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA.—The Director shall select applications to 
receive awards that the Director determines will achieve 1 
or more of the following: 
‘‘(A) Improve the competitiveness of industries in the 
region in which the Center or Centers are located. 
‘‘(B) Create jobs or train newly hired employees. 
‘‘(C) Promote the transfer and commercialization of 
research and technology from institutions of higher edu-
cation, national laboratories or other federally funded 
research programs, and nonprofit research institutes. 
‘‘(D) Recruit a diverse manufacturing workforce, 
including through outreach to underrepresented popu-
lations, including individuals identified in section 33 or 
section 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportuni-
ties Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b). 
‘‘(E) Such other result as the Director determines will 
advance the objective set forth in section 25(c) (15 U.S.C. 
278k) or in section 26 (15 U.S.C. 278l). 
Consultation. 
15 USC 278k–1. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01067
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3032 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
‘‘(f) PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION.—Recipients of awards under this 
section shall not be required to provide a matching contribution. 
‘‘(g) GLOBAL MARKETPLACE PROJECTS.—In making an award 
under this section, the Director, in consultation with the MEP 
Advisory Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration 
whether an application has significant potential for enhancing the 
competitiveness of small and medium-sized United States manufac-
turers in the global marketplace. 
‘‘(h) DURATION.—The duration of an award under this section 
shall be for not more than 3 years. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—The terms used in this section have the 
meanings given the terms in section 25 (15 U.S.C. 278k).’’. 
(d) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States, in consultation with the MEP Advisory Board (as 
defined in section 25 of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)), shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report analyzing— 
(A) the effectiveness of the changes in the cost share 
to Centers under section 25 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k); 
(B) the engagement in services and the characteristics 
of services provided by 2 types of Centers, including volume 
and type of service; and 
(C) whether the cost-sharing ratio has any effect on 
the services provided by either type of Center. 
(2) INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of submission of the report under paragraph (1), the 
Director of NIST shall contract with an independent 
organization to perform an assessment of the implementa-
tion of the reapplication competition process. 
(B) CONSULTATION.—The independent organization 
performing the assessment under subparagraph (A) may 
consult with the MEP Advisory Board (as defined in section 
25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)). 
(3) COMPARISON OF CENTERS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit 
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report pro-
viding information on the first and second years of oper-
ations for Centers (as defined in section 25 of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k)) 
operating from new competitions or recompetition as com-
pared to longstanding Centers. 
(B) CONTENTS.—The report shall provide detail on the 
engagement in services provided by Centers and the 
characteristics of services provided, including volume and 
type of services, so that the appropriate committees of 
Congress can evaluate whether the cost-sharing ratio has 
an effect on the services provided at Centers. 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2199(3) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended— 
Deadline. 
Contracts. 
Consultation. 
Analysis. 
Consultation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01068
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3033 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(A) by striking ‘‘regional center’’ and inserting ‘‘manu-
facturing extension center’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and best business practices’’ before 
‘‘referred’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘25(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘25(b)’’. 
(2) ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION INITIATIVE.—Section 3(a) of 
the Enterprise Integration Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 278g–5(a)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘Hollings’’ before ‘‘Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership’’. 
(3) ASSISTANCE TO STATE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.—Section 
26(a) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278l(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘Centers program 
created’’ and inserting ‘‘Hollings Manufacturing Extension Part-
nership’’. 
(f) SAVINGS PROVISIONS.—Notwithstanding the amendments 
made by subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Secretary of 
Commerce may carry out section 25 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) as that section 
was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this 
Act, with respect to existing grants, agreements, cooperative agree-
ments, or contracts, and with respect to applications for such items 
that are received by the Secretary prior to the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(g) PATENT RIGHTS.—The provisions of chapter 18 of title 35, 
United States Code, shall apply, to the extent not inconsistent 
with section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) and section 25 of that Act, to the 
promotion of technology from research by Centers under those 
sections, except for contracts for such specific technology extension 
or transfer services as may be specified by the Director of NIST 
or under other law. 
TITLE VI—INNOVATION AND 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
SEC. 601. INNOVATION CORPS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘I-Corps’’) was established 
to foster a national innovation ecosystem by encouraging 
institutions, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to identify 
and explore the innovation and commercial potential of 
National Science Foundation-funded research well beyond the 
laboratory. 
(2) 
Through 
I-Corps, 
the 
Foundation 
invests 
in 
entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, 
and mentoring that can ultimately lead to the practical deploy-
ment of technologies, products, processes, and services that 
improve the Nation’s competitiveness, promote economic 
growth, and benefit society. 
(3) By building networks of entrepreneurs, educators, men-
tors, institutions, and collaborations, and supporting specialized 
education and training, I-Corps is at the leading edge of a 
strong, lasting foundation for an American innovation eco-
system. 
42 USC 1862s–8. 
Applicability. 
15 USC 278k 
note. 
15 USC 278k 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01069
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3034 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(4) By translating federally funded research to a commer-
cial stage more quickly and efficiently, programs like the I- 
Corps create new jobs and companies, help solve societal prob-
lems, and provide taxpayers with a greater return on their 
investment in research. 
(5) The I-Corps program model has a strong record of 
success that should be replicated at all Federal science agencies. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) commercialization of federally funded research can 
improve the Nation’s competitiveness, grow the economy, and 
benefit society; 
(2) I-Corps is a useful tool in promoting the commercializa-
tion of federally funded research by training researchers funded 
by the Foundation in entrepreneurship and commercialization; 
(3) I-Corps should continue to build a network of entre-
preneurs, educators, mentors, and institutions and support 
specialized education and training; 
(4) researchers other than those funded by the Foundation 
may also benefit from the education and training described 
in paragraph (3); and 
(5) I-Corps should continue to promote a strong innovation 
system by investing in and supporting female entrepreneurs 
through mentorship, education, and training because they are 
historically underrepresented in entrepreneurial fields. 
(c) I-CORPS PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to promote a strong, lasting 
foundation for the national innovation ecosystem and increase 
the positive economic and social impact of federally funded 
research, the Director of the Foundation shall set forth eligi-
bility requirements and carry out a program to award grants 
for entrepreneurship and commercialization education, training, 
and mentoring. 
(2) EXPANSION OF I-CORPS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director— 
(i) shall encourage the development and expansion 
of I-Corps and other training programs that focus on 
professional development, including education in 
entrepreneurship and commercialization; and 
(ii) may establish an agreement with another Fed-
eral science agency— 
(I) to make researchers, students, and institu-
tions funded by that agency eligible to participate 
in the I-Corps program; or 
(II) to assist that agency with the design and 
implementation of its own program that is similar 
to the I-Corps program. 
(B) PARTNERSHIP FUNDING.—In negotiating an agree-
ment with another Federal science agency under subpara-
graph (A)(ii), the Director shall require that Federal science 
agency to provide funding for— 
(i) the training for researchers, students, and 
institutions selected for the I-Corps program; and 
(ii) the locations that Federal science agency des-
ignates as regional and national infrastructure for 
science and engineering entrepreneurship. 
(3) FOLLOW-ON GRANTS.— 
Contracts. 
Grants. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01070
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3035 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Director, in consultation with the Director of the Small 
Business Innovation Research Program, shall make funds 
available for competitive grants, including to I-Corps 
participants, to help support— 
(i) prototype or proof-of-concept development; and 
(ii) such activities as the Director considers nec-
essary to build local, regional, and national infrastruc-
ture for science and engineering entrepreneurship. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Grants under subparagraph (A) shall 
be limited to participants with innovations that because 
of the early stage of development are not eligible to partici-
pate in a Small Business Innovation Research Program 
or a Small Business Technology Transfer Program. 
(4) STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS.—The Director may 
engage in partnerships with State and local governments, eco-
nomic development organizations, and nonprofit organizations 
to provide access to the I-Corps program to support 
entrepreneurship education and training for researchers, stu-
dents, and institutions under this subsection. 
(5) REPORTS.—The Director shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a biennial report on I-Corps program 
efficacy, including metrics on the effectiveness of the program. 
Each Federal science agency participating in the I-Corps pro-
gram or that implements a similar program under paragraph 
(2)(A) shall contribute to the report. 
(6) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection, the terms ‘‘Small 
Business Innovation Research Program’’ and ‘‘Small Business 
Technology Transfer Program’’ have the meanings given those 
terms in section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638). 
SEC. 602. TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) commercialization of federally funded research may ben-
efit society and the economy; and 
(2) not-for-profit organizations support the commercializa-
tion of federally funded research by providing useful business 
and technical expertise to researchers. 
(b) COMMERCIALIZATION
PROMOTION.—The Director of the 
Foundation shall continue to award grants on a competitive, merit- 
reviewed basis to eligible entities to promote the commercialization 
of federally funded research results. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.—Activities supported by grants under this 
section may include— 
(1) identifying Foundation-sponsored research and tech-
nologies that have the potential for accelerated commercializa-
tion; 
(2) supporting prior or current Foundation-sponsored inves-
tigators, institutions of higher education, and non-profit 
organizations that partner with an institution of higher edu-
cation in undertaking proof-of-concept work, including develop-
ment of prototypes of technologies that are derived from 
Foundation-sponsored research and have potential market 
value; 
(3) promoting sustainable partnerships between Founda-
tion-funded institutions, industry, and other organizations 
42 USC 1862s–9. 
Consultation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01071
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3036 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
within academia and the private sector with the purpose of 
accelerating the transfer of technology; 
(4) developing multi-disciplinary innovation ecosystems 
which involve and are responsive to specific needs of academia 
and industry; and 
(5) providing professional development, mentoring, and 
advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and tech-
nology and business development to innovators. 
(d) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The following organizations may be 
eligible for grants under this section: 
(A) Institutions of higher education. 
(B) Public or nonprofit technology transfer organiza-
tions. 
(C) A nonprofit organization that partners with an 
institution of higher education. 
(D) A consortia of 2 or more of the organizations 
described under subparagraphs (A) through (C). 
(2) LEAD ORGANIZATIONS.—Any eligible organization under 
paragraph (1) may apply as a lead organization. 
(e) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
this section shall submit an application to the Director at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Director may require. 
SEC. 603. OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The 1998 National Research Council Report, ‘‘Har-
nessing Light’’ presented a comprehensive overview on the 
importance of optics and photonics to various sectors of the 
United States economy. 
(2) In 2012, in response to increased coordination and 
investment by other nations, the National Research Council 
released a follow up study recommending a national photonics 
initiative to increase collaboration and coordination among 
United States industry, Federal and State government, and 
academia to identify and further advance areas of photonics 
critical to regaining United States competitiveness and 
maintaining national security. 
(3) Publicly-traded companies focused on optics and 
photonics in the United States enable more than $3 trillion 
in revenue annually. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) optics and photonics research and technologies promote 
United States global competitiveness in industry sectors, 
including telecommunications and information technology, 
energy, healthcare and medicine, manufacturing, and defense; 
(2) Federal science agencies, industry, and academia should 
seek partnerships with each other to develop basic research 
in optics and photonics into more mature technologies and 
capabilities; and 
(3) each Federal science agency, as appropriate, should— 
(A) survey and identify optics and photonics-related 
programs within that Federal science agency and share 
results with other Federal science agencies for the purpose 
of generating multiple applications and uses; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01072
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3037 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
(B) partner with the private sector and academia to 
leverage knowledge and resources to maximize opportuni-
ties for innovation in optics and photonics; 
(C) explore research and development opportunities, 
including Federal and private sector-sponsored internships, 
to ensure a highly trained optics and photonics workforce 
in the United States; 
(D) encourage partnerships between academia and 
industry to promote improvement in the education of optics 
and photonics technicians at the secondary school level, 
undergraduate level, and 2-year college level, including 
through the Foundation’s Advanced Technological Edu-
cation program; and 
(E) assess existing programs and explore alternatives 
to modernize photonics laboratory equipment in under-
graduate institutions in the United States to facilitate crit-
ical hands-on learning. 
SEC. 604. UNITED STATES CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘United 
States Chief Technology Officer Act’’. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—Section 203 the National Science and Tech-
nology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 
6612) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(b) ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS.—’’ before ‘‘The 
President is authorized’’ and indenting appropriately; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before ‘‘There shall 
be’’ and indenting appropriately; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER.—Subject to subsection (b), 
the President is authorized to designate 1 of the Associate Directors 
under that subsection as a United States Chief Technology Officer.’’. 
SEC. 605. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY 
FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS ON CAMPUSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall enter into an arrangement with the 
National Research Council to conduct and complete a study to 
identify and review technologies employed at institutions of higher 
education to provide notifications to students, faculty, and other 
personnel during emergency situations in accordance with law. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study shall address— 
(1) the timeliness of notifications provided by the tech-
nologies during emergency situations; 
(2) the durability of the technologies in delivering the 
notifications to students, faculty, and other personnel; and 
(3) the limitations exhibited by the technologies to success-
fully deliver the notifications not more than 30 seconds after 
the institution of higher education transmits the notifications. 
(c) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
that the National Research Council enters into the arrangement 
under subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall submit to Congress a report on the study, 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Deadline. 
Contracts. 
President. 
Designation. 
United States 
Chief Technology 
Officer Act. 
42 USC 6601 
note. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01073
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER
130 STAT. 3038 
PUBLIC LAW 114–329—JAN. 6, 2017 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3084: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–389 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transporta-
tion). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 
Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 16, considered and passed House. 
including recommendations for addressing any limitations identified 
under subsection (b)(3). 
Approved January 6, 2017. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:43 Jul 08, 2022
Jkt 059194
PO 00003
Frm 01074
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\STATUTES\2016\PT3\59194PT3.001
59194PT3
dkrause on LAP5T8D0R2PROD with DISTILLER