[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2912 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2912

   To authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a grant 
 program for partnerships between United States research organizations 
 and those in developing countries for research on plant biotechnology.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 20, 2001

Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas introduced the following bill; which 
                was referred to the Committee on Science

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a grant 
 program for partnerships between United States research organizations 
 and those in developing countries for research on plant biotechnology.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The National Science Foundation has made important 
        contributions to advance the knowledge base for plant 
        biotechnology.
            (2) Plant biotechnology research has the potential to help 
        developing countries increase food security.
            (3) Plant biotechnology research can be used to improve the 
        quality and nutritional content of food.
            (4) Biotechnology offers the prospect of delivering 
        vaccines to immunize against life-threatening illnesses through 
        agricultural products in a safe and effective manner that 
        overcomes the infrastructure and cost limitations faced by 
        traditional vaccination methods in the developing world.
            (5) Research partnerships between scientists in the United 
        States and developing countries will help strengthen the 
        capabilities of those countries to develop and implement 
        applications of plant biotechnology.
            (6) Research funding levels at the National Science 
        Foundation and elsewhere are obstacles to the use of plant 
        biotechnology to address problems in the developing world.

SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) Establishment.--The National Science Foundation shall establish 
a program to award grants to institutions of higher education (as 
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001)), nonprofit organizations, or consortia of such entities to 
establish research partnerships for supporting the development of plant 
biotechnology targeted to the needs of the developing world.
    (b) Partnerships.--
            (1) Developing nation partners.--In order to be eligible to 
        receive a grant under this section, the grantee shall enter 
        into a partnership with 1 or more research institutions in 1 or 
        more developing nations.
            (2) For-profit partners.--Partnerships may also include 
        for-profit companies involved in plant biotechnology.
            (3) Special consideration.--In making awards under this 
        section, the National Science Foundation shall give special 
        consideration to partnerships that include a Historically Black 
        College or University, a Hispanic serving institution, or a 
        tribal college or university.
    (c) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used 
for support of research activities in plant biotechnology targeted to 
the needs of the developing world. Such activities may include--
            (1) basic genomic research on crops grown in the developing 
        world;
            (2) development of plant biotechnologies that will advance 
        and expedite the development of improved cultivars, including 
        those that are pest-resistant, produce increased yield, or 
        increase tolerance to stress;
            (3) development of technologies to produce pharmaceutical 
        compounds such as vaccines and medications in plants that can 
        be grown in the developing world; and
            (4) research on the impact of plant biotechnology on the 
        social, political, and economic conditions in countries in the 
        developing world.
    (d) Competitive Merit Review.--Grants under this Act shall be 
awarded on a merit-reviewed competitive basis.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $9,000,000 for fiscal year 
2003, and $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 to carry out this Act.
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