[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 189 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 189
To authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and
nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 16, 2003
Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Warner, Ms.
Mikulski, Mr. Hollings, Ms. Landrieu, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Levin, and Mr.
Bayh) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and
nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Nanotechnology Research
and Development Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The emerging fields of nanoscience and nanoengineering
(collectively, ``nanotechnology''), in which matter is manipulated at
the atomic level (i.e., atom-by- atom or molecule-by-molecule) in order
to build materials, machines, and devices with novel properties or
functions, are leading to unprecedented scientific and technological
opportunities that will benefit society by changing the way many things
are designed and made.
(2) Long-term nanoscale research and development leading to
potential breakthroughs in areas such as materials and manufacturing,
electronics, medicine and healthcare, environment, energy, chemicals,
biotechnology, agriculture, information technology, and national
security could be as significant as the combined influences of
microelectronics, biotechnology, and information technology on the 20th
century. Nanotechnology could lead to things such as--
(A) new generations of electronics where the entire
collection of the Library of Congress is stored on devices the
size of a sugar cube;
(B) manufacturing that requires less material, pollutes
less, and is embedded with sophisticated sensors that will
internally detect signs of weakness and automatically respond
by releasing chemicals that will prevent damage;
(C) prosthetic and medical implants whose surfaces are
molecularly designed to interact with the cells of the body;
(D) materials with an unprecedented combination of
strength, toughness, and lightness that will enable land, sea,
air, and space vehicles to become lighter and more fuel
efficient;
(E) selective membranes that can fish out specific toxic or
valuable particles from industrial waste or that can
inexpensively desalinate sea water; and
(F) tiny robotic spacecraft that will cost less, consume
very little power, adapt to unexpected environments, change its
capabilities as needed, and be completely autonomous.
(3) Long-term, high-risk research is necessary to create
breakthroughs in technology. Such research requires government funding
since the benefits are too distant or uncertain for industry alone to
support. Current Federal investments in nanotechnology research and
development are not grounded in any specifically authorized statutory
foundation. As a result, there is a risk that future funding for long-
term, innovative research will be tentative and subject to instability
which could threaten to hinder future United States technological and
economic growth.
(4) The Federal government can play an important role in the
development of nanotechnology, as this science is still in its infancy,
and it will take many years of sustained investment for this field to
achieve maturity.
(5) Many foreign countries, companies and scientists believe that
nanotechnology will be the leading technology of the 21st century and
are investing heavily into its research. According to a study of
international nanotechnology research efforts sponsored by the National
Science and Technology Council, the United States is at risk of falling
behind its international competitors, including Japan, South Korea, and
Europe if it fails to sustain broad based funding in nanotechnology.
The United States cannot afford to fall behind our competitors if we
want to maintain our economic strength.
(6) Advances in nanotechnology stemming from Federal investments in
fundamental research and subsequent private sector development likely
will create technologies that support the work and improve the
efficiency of the Federal government, and contribute significantly to
the efforts of the government's mission agencies.
(7) According to various estimates, including those of the National
Science Foundation, the market for nanotech products and services in
the United States alone could reach over $1 trillion later this
century.
(8) Nanotechnology will evolve from modern advances in chemical,
physical, biological, engineering, medical, and materials research, and
will contribute to cross-disciplinary training of the 21st century
science and technology workforce.
(9) Mastering nanotechnology will require a unique skill set for
scientists and engineers that combine chemistry, physics, material
science, and information science. Funding in these critical areas has
been flat for many years and as a result fewer young people are
electing to go into these areas in graduate schools throughout the
United States. This will have to reverse if we hope to develop the next
generation of skilled workers with multi-disciplinary perspectives
necessary for the development of nanotechnology.
(10) Research on nanotechnology creates unprecedented capabilities
to alter ourselves and our environment and will give rise to a host of
novel social, ethical, philosophical, and legal issues. To
appropriately address these issues will require wide reflection and
guidance that are responsive to the realities of the science, as well
as additional research to predict, understand, and alleviate
anticipated problems.
(11) Nanotechnology will provide structures to enable the
revolutionary concept of quantum computing, which uses quantum
mechanical properties to do calculation. Quantum computing permits a
small number of atoms to potentially store and process enormous amounts
of information. Just 300 interacting atoms in a quantum computer could
store as much information as a classical electronic computer that uses
all the particles in the universe, and today's complex encryption
algorithms, which would take today's best super computer 20 billion
years, could be cracked in 30 minutes.
(12) The Executive Branch has previously established a National
Nanotechnology Initiative to coordinate Federal nanotechnology research
and development programs. This initiative has contributed significantly
to the development of nanotechnology. Authorizing legislation can serve
to establish new technology goals and research directions, improve
agency coordination and oversight mechanisms, help ensure optimal
returns to investment, and simplify reporting, budgeting, and planning
processes for the Executive Branch and the Congress.
(13) The private sector technology innovations that grow from
fundamental nanotechnology research are dependent on a haphazard,
expensive, and generally inefficient technology transition path.
Strategies for accelerating the transition of fundamental knowledge and
innovations in commercial products or to support mission agencies
should be explored, developed, and when appropriate, executed.
(14) Existing data on the societal, ethical, educational, legal,
and workforce implications and issues related to nanotechnology are
lacking. To help decision-makers and affected parties better anticipate
issues likely to arise with the onset and maturation of nanotechnology,
research and studies on these issues must be conducted and
disseminated.
(15) Many States and regions have begun nanotechnology programs.
These programs have developed expertise, particularly with regard to
providing infrastructure and preparing the nanotechnology workforce.
The Federal nanotechnology program should leverage these existing State
and local institutions to best provide a coordinated and comprehensive
nanotechnology research portfolio.
(16) In ``Small Wonders, Endless Frontiers'' the National Academy
of Sciences' National Research Council recommends increased investment
in nanotechnology, particularly at the intersection of nanotechnology
and biology. Such investments will allow significant advancements in
biotechnology and medicine.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act to authorize a coordinated inter-
agency program that will support long-term nanoscale research and
development leading to potential breakthroughs in areas such as
materials and manufacturing, nanoelectronics, medicine and healthcare,
environment, energy, chemicals, biotechnology, agriculture, information
technology, and national and homeland security.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) National Nanotechnology Research Program.--The President shall
establish a National Nanotechnology Research Program. Through
appropriate agencies, councils, and the National Coordination Office,
the program shall--
(1) establish the goals, priorities, grand challenges, and
metrics for evaluation for Federal nanotechnology research,
development, and other activities;
(2) invest in Federal research and development programs in
nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals; and
(3) provide for interagency coordination of Federal
nanotechnology research, development, and other activities
undertaken pursuant to the program.
(b) Goals of the National Nanotechnology Research Program.--The
goals of the program are as follows:
(1) The coordination of long-term fundamental nanoscience
and engineering research to build a fundamental understanding
of matter enabling control and manipulation at the nanoscale.
(2) The assurance of continued United States global
leadership in nanotechnology to meet national goals and to
support national economic, health, national security,
educational, and scientific interests.
(3) The advancement of United States productivity and
industrial competitiveness through stable, consistent, and
coordinated investments in long-term scientific and engineering
research in nanotechnology.
(4) The development of a network of shared academic
facilities and technology centers, including State supported
centers, that will play a critical role in accomplishing the
other goals of the program, foster partnerships, and develop
and utilize next generation scientific tools.
(5) The development of enabling infrastructural
technologies that United States industry can use to
commercialize new discoveries and innovations in nanoscience.
(6) The acceleration of the deployment and transition of
advanced and experimental nanotechnology and concepts into the
private sector.
(7) The establishment of a program designed to provide
effective education and training for the next generation of
researchers and professionals skilled in the multidisciplinary
perspectives necessary for nanotechnology.
(8) To ensure that philosophical, ethical, and other
societal concerns will be considered alongside the development
of nanotechnology.
(c) Research and Development Areas.--Through its participating
agencies, the National Nanotechnology Research Program shall develop,
fund, and manage Federal research programs in the following areas:
(1) Long-term fundamental research.--The program shall
undertake long-term basic nanoscience and engineering research
that focuses on fundamental understanding and synthesis of
nanometer-size building blocks with potential for breakthroughs
in areas such as materials and manufacturing, nanoelectronics,
medicine and healthcare, environment, energy, chemical and
pharmaceuticals industries, biotechnology and agriculture, computation
and information technology, and national security. Funds made available
from the appropriate agencies under this paragraph shall be used--
(A) to provide awards of less than $1,000,000 each
to single investigators and small groups to provide
sustained support to individual investigators and small
groups conducting fundamental, innovative research; and
(B) to fund fundamental research and the
development of university-industry-laboratory and
interagency (including State-led) partnerships.
(2) Grand challenges.--The program shall support grand
challenges that are essential for the advancement of the field
and interdisciplinary research and education teams, including
multidisciplinary nanotechnology research centers, that work on
major long-term objectives. This funding area will fund,
through participating agencies, interdisciplinary research and
education teams that aim to achieve major, long-term
objectives, such as the following:
(A) Nanomaterials by design which are stronger,
lighter, harder, self-repairing, and safer.
(B) Nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and
magnetics.
(C) Healthcare applications.
(D) Nanoscale processes and environment.
(E) Energy and energy conservation.
(F) Microspacecraft.
(G) Bio-nanodevices for detection and mitigation of
biothreats to humans.
(H) Economical, efficient, and safe transportation.
(I) National and homeland security.
(J) Other appropriate challenges.
(3) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers.--The
Program, through the appropriate agencies, shall fund, on a
competitive merit reviewed basis, research centers in the range
of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 per year each for 5 years. A grant
under this paragraph to a center may be renewed for 1 5-year
term on the basis of that center's performance, determined
after a review. The program, through its participating
agencies, shall encourage research networking among centers and
researchers and require access to facilities to both academia
and industry. The centers shall assist in reaching other
initiative priorities, including fundamental research, grand
challenges, education, development and utilization of specific
research tools, and promoting partnerships with industry. To
the greatest extent possible, agencies participating in the
program shall establish geographically diverse centers
including at least one center in a State participating in the
National Science Foundation's (NSF) Experimental Program, to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), established under
section 113 of the NSF Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C.
1862(g)) and shall encourage the participation of minority
serving institutions at these centers.
(4) Research infrastructure.--The program, through its
participating agencies, shall ensure adequate research
infrastructure and equipment for rapid progress on program
goals, including the employment of underutilized manufacturing
facilities in areas of high unemployment as production
engineering and research testbeds for micron-scale
technologies. Major research equipment and instrumentation
shall be an eligible funding purpose under the program.
(5) Societal, ethical, educational, legal, and workforce
issues related to nanotechnology.--The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall establish a new Center for Societal,
Ethical, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues Related to
Nanotechnology at $5,000,000 per year to encourage, conduct,
coordinate, commission, collect, and disseminate research on
the societal, ethical, educational, legal, and workforce issues
related to nanotechnology. The Center shall also conduct
studies and provide input and assistance to the Director of the
National Science Foundation in completing the annual report
required under paragraph 7(b)(3) of this Act.
(6) Transition of technology.--The program, through its
participating agencies, shall ensure cooperation and
collaboration with United States industry in all relevant
research efforts and develop mechanisms to assure prompt
technology transition.
(7) Gap funding.--The program shall address research areas
identified by the Council under section 5(a)(9) of this Act
through a program of competitive grants to be awarded in such
areas by the Director of the National Science Foundation using
the Foundation's funds and any funds contributed to the
Foundation by other participating agencies for this purpose.
Such grants may be made to government or non-government
awardees. Where appropriate, such grants may encourage
interagency partnerships or leverage the expertise of State-
supported nanotechnology programs.
SEC. 5. PROGRAM COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT.
(a) In General.--The National Science and Technology Council shall
oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Federal
nanotechnology research and development program. The Council, itself or
through an appropriate subgroup it designates or establishes, shall--
(1) establish a set of broad applications of nanotechnology
research and development, or grand challenges, to be met by the
results and activities of the program, based on national needs;
(2) submit to the Congress through the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House of
Representatives Committee on Science, an annual report, along
with the President's annual budget request, describing the
implementation of the program under section 4;
(3) provide for interagency coordination of the program,
including with the Department of Defense;
(4) coordinate the budget requests of each of the agencies
involved in the program with the Office of Management and
Budget to ensure that a balanced research portfolio is
maintained in order to ensure the appropriate level of research
effort;
(5) provide guidance each year to the participating
departments and agencies concerning the preparation of
appropriations requests for activities related to the program;
(6) consult with academic, industry, State and local
government (including State and regional nanotechnology
programs), and other appropriate groups conducting research on
and using nanotechnology;
(7) establish an Information Services and Applications
Council to promote access to and early application of the
technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from
nanotechnology research and development program activities to
agency missions and systems across the Federal government, and
to United States industry;
(8) in cooperation with the Advisory Panel established
under subsection (b), develop and apply measurements using
appropriate metrics for evaluating program performance and
progress toward goals; and
(9) identify research areas which are not being adequately
addressed by the agencies' current research programs.
(b) President's Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.--
(1) Establishment.--The President shall establish a
National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.
(2) Selection procedures.--The President shall establish
procedures for the selection of individuals not employed by the
Federal government who are qualified in the science of
nanotechnology and other appropriate fields and may, pursuant
to such procedures, select up to 20 individuals, one of whom
shall be designated Chairman, to serve on the Advisory Panel.
Selection of individuals for the Advisory Panel shall be based
solely on established records of distinguished fundamental and
applied scientific service, and the panel shall contain a
reasonable cross-section of views and expertise, including
those regarding the societal, ethical, educational, legal, and
workforce issues related to nanotechnology. In selecting
individuals to serve on the Advisory Panel, the President shall
seek and give due consideration to recommendations from the
Congress, industry, the scientific community (including the
National Academy of Sciences), scientific professional
societies, academia, the defense community, the education
community, State and local governments, and other appropriate
organizations.
(3) Meetings.--The Advisory Panel shall meet no less than
twice annually, at such times and places as may be designated
by the Chairman in consultation with the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office established under subsection
5(c) of this Act.
(4) Duties.--The Advisory Panel shall advise the President
and the National Science and Technology Council, and inform the
Congress, on matters relating to the National Nanotechnology
Program, including goals, roles, and objectives within the
program, its capabilities and research needs, guidance on
achieving major objectives, and establishing and measuring
performance goals using appropriate metrics. The Advisory Panel
shall issue an annual report, containing the information
required by subsection (d) of this section, to the President,
the Council, the heads of each agency involved in the program,
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
and the House of Representatives Committee on Science, on or
before September 30 of each year.
(c) National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.--The President
shall establish a National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, with
full-time staff, to provide day-to-day technical and administrative
support to the Council and the Advisory Panel, and to be the point of
contact on Federal nanotechnology activities for government
organizations, academia, industry, professional societies, State
nanotechnology programs, and others to exchange technical and
programmatic information. The Office shall promote full coordination of
research efforts between agencies, scientific disciplines, and United
States industry.
(d) Program Plans and Reports.--
(1) Annual evaluation of nanotechnology research
development program.--The report by the Advisory Panel,
required pursuant to subsection (b)(4), shall include--
(A) a review of the program's technical success in
achieving the stated goals and grand challenges
according to the metrics established by the program and
Advisory Panel;
(B) a review of the program's management and
coordination;
(C) a review of the funding levels by each agency
for the program's activities and their ability to
achieve the program's stated goals and grand
challenges;
(D) a review of the balance in the program's
portfolio and components across agencies and
disciplines;
(E) an assessment of the degree of participation in
the program by minority serving institutions and
institutions located in States participating in NSF's
EPSCoR program;
(F) a review of policy issues resulting from
advancements in nanotechnology and its effects on the
scientific enterprise, commerce, workforce,
competitiveness, national security, medicine, and
government operations;
(G) recommendations for new program goals and grand
challenges;
(H) recommendations for new research areas,
partnerships, coordination and management mechanisms,
or programs to be established to achieve the program's
stated goals and grand challenges;
(I) recommendations for new investments by each
participating agency in each program funding area for
the 5-year period following the delivery of the report;
(J) reviews and recommendations regarding other
issues deemed pertinent or specified by the panel; and
(K) a technology transition study which includes an
evaluation of the Federal nanotechnology research and
development program's success in transitioning its
research, technologies, and concepts into commercial
and military products, including--
(i) examples of successful transition of
research, technologies, and concepts from the
Federal nanotechnology research and development
program into commercial and military products;
(ii) best practices of universities,
government, and industry in promoting efficient
and rapid technology transition in the
nanotechnology sector;
(iii) barriers to efficient technology
transition in the nanotechnology sector,
including, but not limited to, standards, pace
of technological change, qualification and
testing of research products, intellectual
property issues, and Federal funding; and
(iv) recommendations for government
sponsored activities to promote rapid
technology transition in the nanotechnology
sector.
(2) Office of management and budget review.--
(A) Budget request review.--Each Federal agency and
department participating in the program shall, as part
of its annual request for appropriations, submit
information to the Office of Management and Budget
including--
(i) each element of its nanotechnology
research and development activities that
contributes directly to the program or benefits
from the program;
(ii) the portion of its request for
appropriations that is allocated to each such
element; and
(iii) the portion of its request for
appropriations that is allocated to each
program funding area.
(B) OMB review and allocation statement.--The
Office of Management and Budget shall review the
information provided under subparagraph (A) in light of
the goals, priorities, grand challenges, and agency and
departmental responsibilities set forth in the annual
report of the Council under paragraph (3), and shall
include in the President's annual budget estimate, a
statement delineating the amount and portion of each
appropriate agency's or department's annual budget
estimate relating to its activities undertaken pursuant
to the program.
(3) Annual nstc report to congress on the nanotechnology
research development program.--The National Science and
Technology Council shall submit an annual report to the
Congress that--
(A) includes a detailed description of the goals,
grand challenges, and program funding areas established
by the President for the program;
(B) sets forth the relevant programs and
activities, for the fiscal year with respect to which
the budget submission applies, of each Federal agency
and department, participating in the program, as well
as such other agencies and departments as the President
or the Director considers appropriate;
(C) describes the levels of Federal funding for the
fiscal year during which such report is submitted, and
the levels proposed for the fiscal year with respect to
which the budget submission applies, for each of the
program funding areas of the program;
(D) describes the levels of Federal funding for
each agency and department participating in the program
and each program funding area for the fiscal year
during which such report is submitted, and the levels
proposed for the fiscal year with respect to which the
budget submission applies, and compare these levels to
the most recent recommendations of the Advisory Panel
and the external review of the program;
(E) describes coordination and partnership
activities with State, local, international, and
private sector efforts in nanotechnology research and
development, and how they support the goals of the
program;
(F) describes mechanisms and efforts used by the
program to assist in the transition of innovative
concepts and technologies from Federally funded
programs into the commercial sector, and successes in
these transition activities;
(G) describes coordination between the military and
civilian portions, as well as the life science and non-
life science portions, of the program in technology
development, supporting the goals of the program, and
supporting the mission needs of the departments and
agencies involved;
(H) analyzes the progress made toward achieving the
goals, priorities, and grand challenges designated for
the program according to the metrics established by the
program and the Advisory Panel; and
(I) recommends new mechanisms of coordination,
program funding areas, partnerships, or activities
necessary to achieve the goals, priorities, and grand
challenges established for the program.
(4) Triennial external review of nanotechnology research
and development program.--
(A) In general.--The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall enter into an arrangement with
the National Research Council of the National Academy
of Sciences to conduct a triennial evaluation of the
Federal nanotechnology research and development
program, including--
(i) a review of the technical success of
the program in achieving the stated goals and
grand challenges under the metrics established
by the program and the nanotechnology Advisory
Panel, and under other appropriate
measurements;
(ii) a review of the program's management
and coordination across agencies and
disciplines;
(iii) a review of the funding levels by
each agency for the program's activities and
their ability with such funding to achieve the
program's stated goals and grand challenges;
(iv) recommendations for new or revised
program goals and grand challenges;
(v) recommendations for new research areas,
partnerships, coordination and management
mechanisms, or programs to be established to
achieve the program's stated goals and grand
challenges;
(vi) recommendations for investment levels
in light of goals by each participating agency
in each program funding area for the 5-year
period following the delivery of the report;
(vii) recommendations on policy, program,
and budget changes with respect to
nanotechnology research and development
activities;
(viii) recommendations for improved metrics
to evaluate the success of the program in
accomplishing its stated goals;
(ix) a review of the performance of the
Information Services and Applications Council
and its efforts to promote access to and early
application of the technologies, innovations,
and expertise derived from program activities
to agency missions and systems across the
Federal government and to United States
industry; and
(x) an analysis of the relative position of
the United States compared to other nations
with respect to nanotechnology research and
development, including the identification of
any critical research areas where the United
States should be the world leader to best
achieve the goals of the program.
(B) Evaluation to be transmitted to congress.--The
Director of the National Science Foundation shall
transmit the results of any evaluation for which it
made arrangements under subparagraph (A) to the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and
the House of Representatives Committee on Science upon
receipt. The first such evaluation shall be transmitted
no later than June 10, 2005, with subsequent
evaluations transmitted to the Committees every 3 years
thereafter.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) National Science Foundation.--
(1) General authorization.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation
to carry out the Director's responsibilities under this Act
$346,150,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(2) Specific allocations.--
(A) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology research
centers.--Of the amounts described in paragraph (1),
$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, shall be available
for grants of up to $5,000,000 each for
multidisciplinary nanotechnology research centers.
(B) Center for societal, ethical, educational,
legal, and workforce issues related to
nanotechnology.--Of the sums authorized for the
National Science Foundation each fiscal year,
$5,000,000 shall be used to establish a university-
based Center for Societal, Ethical, Educational, Legal,
and Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology.
(C) National nanotechnology coordination office.--
Of the sums authorized for the National Science
Foundation each fiscal year, $5,000,000 shall be used
for the activities of the Nanotechnology Coordination
Office.
(D) Gap funding.--Of the sums authorized for the
National Science Foundation each fiscal year,
$5,000,000 shall be for use in competitive grants as
described in section 4(c)(7) of this Act.
(b) Department of Energy.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Secretary's
responsibilities under this Act $160,195,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out the Administrator's
responsibilities under this Act $58,650,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(d) National Institutes of Health.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Institutes to carry out
the Director's responsibilities under this Act $49,680,000 for fiscal
year 2004.
(e) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology to carry out the Director's
responsibilities under this Act $50,600,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(f) Environmental Protection Agency.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to carry out the Administrator's responsibilities under this Act
$5,750,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(g) Department of Justice.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Director of the National Institute of Justice to carry out the
Director's responsibilities under this Act $1,610,000 for fiscal year
2004.
(h) Department of Transportation.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act $2,300,000 for fiscal year
2004.
(i) Department of Agriculture.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act $2,870,000 for fiscal year
2004.
SEC. 7. SOCIETAL, ETHICAL, EDUCATIONAL, LEGAL, AND WORKFORCE ISSUES
RELATED TO NANOTECHNOLOGY.
(a) Studies.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall
encourage, conduct, coordinate, commission, collect, and disseminate
studies on the societal, ethical, educational, and workforce
implications of nanotechnology through the Center for Societal,
Ethical, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues established under
section 4(c)(5). The studies shall identify anticipated issues and
problems, as well as provide recommendations for preventing or
addressing such issues and problems.
(b) Data Collection.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall collect data on the size of the anticipated
nanotechnology workforce need by detailed occupation, industry, and
firm characteristics, and assess the adequacy of the trained talent
pool in the United States to fill such workforce needs.
(c) Annual Report.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall compile the studies required by paragraph (2) and, with the
assistance of the Center for Societal, Ethical, Educational, Legal, and
Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology established under section
4(c)(5) of this Act, shall complete a report that includes a
description of the Center's activities, which shall be submitted to the
President, the Council, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the House of Representatives Committee on Science
not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the
President's National Nanotechnology Panel.
(2) Fundamental research.--The term ``fundamental
research'' means research that builds a fundamental
understanding and leads to discoveries of the phenomena,
processes, and tools necessary to control and manipulate matter
at the nanoscale.
(3) Grand challenge.--The term ``grand challenge'' means a
fundamental problem in science or engineering, with broad
economic and scientific impact, whose solution will require the
application of nanotechnology.
(4) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology research center.--The
term ``interdisciplinary nanotechnology research center'' means
a group of 6 or more researchers collaborating across
scientific and engineering disciplines on large-scale long-term
research projects that will significantly advance the science
supporting the development of nanotechnology or the use of
nanotechnology in addressing scientific issues of national
importance, consistent with the goals set forth in section
4(b).
(5) Nanotechnology.--The term ``nanotechnology'' means the
ability to work at the molecular level, atom-by-atom, to create
large structures with fundamentally new molecular organization.
(6) Program.--The term ``program'' means the national
nanotechnology research program established under section 4.
(7) Research infrastructure.--The term ``research
infrastructure'' means the measurement science,
instrumentation, modeling and simulation, and user facilities
needed to develop a flexible and enabling infrastructure so
that United States industry can rapidly commercialize new
discoveries in nanotechnology.
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