118 S2977 IS: Increase America’s Research Capacity Act of 2023 U.S. Senate 2023-09-28 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2977IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 28 (legislative day, September 22), 2023Mr. Warnock (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Comptroller General of the United States to study the feasibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities achieving a certain classification.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Increase America’s Research Capacity Act of 2023.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Historically Black College or University

The term Historically Black College or University means a part B institution described in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)). (2)

R1 institution

The term R1 institution means an institution classified as an R1 doctoral university, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education framework as the framework exists on the date of enactment of this Act, by the issuer of the framework.

3.

Comptroller General study on the feasibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities achieving a certain classification

(a)

Study

(1)

In general

The Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare a study on the institutional challenges and barriers hindering Historically Black Colleges and Universities from achieving, and the feasibility of the colleges and universities achieving, classification as an R1 institution.(2)

Contents

In preparing the study, the Comptroller General may—(A)examine topics including—(i)funding opportunities and resource allocation required for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to enhance their research infrastructure and capacity, focusing on the opportunities and resources of Federal research agencies, including the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce, and similar offices of the Department of Commerce;(ii)strategies for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to recruit and retain highly qualified faculty with strong research backgrounds; (iii) best practices and successful models employed by R1 institutions (as of the date the study is completed) that Historically Black Colleges and Universities can adopt; and(iv)analyses of— (I)which Historically Black Colleges and Universities have transfer agreements for their graduates with R1 institutions, and how many graduates attend R1 institutions under those agreements; (II)which institutions of higher education are feeder institutions of Black students into programs at R1 institutions; and(III)what role undergraduate Historically Black Colleges and Universities play in preparing students to attend an R1 institution; and (B)prepare recommendations for Federal support and initiatives to facilitate the advancement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in research and innovation.(b)

Report

Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report containing the results of the study, and recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines to be appropriate, to the appropriate committees of Congress and the Congressional Research Service.