[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5356 Reported in House (RH)]







                                                 Union Calendar No. 294
109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5356

                          [Report No. 109-525]

  To authorize the National Science Foundation and the Department of 
Energy Office of Science to provide grants to early career researchers 
 to establish innovative research programs and integrate education and 
                   research, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 11, 2006

Mr. McCaul of Texas (for himself, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. 
 Calvert, Mr. Ehlers, Mrs. Biggert, Mr. Inglis of South Carolina, and 
   Mr. Schwarz of Michigan) introduced the following bill; which was 
                  referred to the Committee on Science

                             June 22, 2006

   Additional sponsors: Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Al Green of 
 Texas, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Reichert, Mr. Wynn, 
Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Miller of North 
Carolina, Mr. Honda, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Baird, Mr. 
Johnson of Illinois, Mr. Davis of Tennessee, Mr. Costa, Ms. Matsui, Mr. 
   Melancon, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Hall, Mr. 
            Gutknecht, and Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida

                             June 22, 2006

Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House 
          on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 11, 
                                 2006]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To authorize the National Science Foundation and the Department of 
Energy Office of Science to provide grants to early career researchers 
 to establish innovative research programs and integrate education and 
                   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 ``Research for Competitiveness Act''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND 
              ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall carry out a program to award grants to scientists and engineers 
at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education 
and organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in 
fields relevant to the mission of the Foundation. The existing Faculty 
Early Career Development (CAREER) Program may be designated as the 
mechanism for awarding such grants.
    (b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this 
section shall be 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at least 
$80,000.
    (c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are 
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or 
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
            (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
        States; or
            (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
        nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
        museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
    (d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
    (e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant 
seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the 
Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Director may require. In evaluating the proposals submitted 
under this section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
            (2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed 
        research;
            (3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research 
        and education, including undergraduate education in science and 
        engineering disciplines; and
            (4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 
        frontiers of knowledge.
    (f) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director 
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of 
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director 
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for 
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B 
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in 
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of the fiscal years 
2007 through 2011, the Director shall allocate at least 3.5 percent of 
funds appropriated to the National Science Foundation for Research and 
Related Activities to the grants program under this section.
    (h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science of 
the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the distribution 
of the institutions of the awardees of the Faculty Early Career 
Development Program since fiscal year 2001 among each of the categories 
of institutions of higher education defined by the Carnegie Foundation 
for the Advancement of Teaching and the organizations in subsection 
(c)(2).
    (i) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science of 
the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating the impact of the 
Faculty Early Career Development Program on the ability of young 
faculty to compete for National Science Foundation research grants.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND 
              ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science of the 
Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants to 
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at 
institutions of higher education and organizations described in 
subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission 
of the Department.
    (b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this 
section shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at 
least $80,000.
    (c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are 
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or 
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
            (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
        States; or
            (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
        nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
        museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
    (d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
    (e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant 
seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the 
Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Director may require. In evaluating the proposals submitted 
under this section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
            (2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed 
        research;
            (3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research 
        and education, including undergraduate education in science and 
        engineering disciplines; and
            (4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 
        frontiers of knowledge.
    (f) Collaboration With National Laboratories.--In awarding grants 
under this section, the Director shall give priority to proposals in 
which the proposed work includes collaboration with the Department of 
Energy National Laboratories.
    (g) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director 
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of 
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director 
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for 
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B 
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in 
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Director's 
responsibilities under this section $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 2007 through 2011.
    (i) Report on Recruiting and Retaining Early Career Science and 
Engineering Researchers at the National Laboratories.--Not later than 3 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives 
and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 
report on efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers 
at the early stages of their careers at the Department of Energy 
National Laboratories. The report shall include--
            (1) a description of Department of Energy and National 
        Laboratory policies and procedures, including financial 
        incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent 
        research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of 
        recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists 
        and engineers;
            (2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the 
        careers of young scientists and engineers at Department of 
        Energy National Laboratories, and also on the quality of the 
        research at the National Laboratories and in Department of 
        Energy programs;
            (3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to 
        efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, 
        including limited availability of full time equivalent 
        positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading 
        systems; and
            (4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and 
        retain young researchers and the source of such funds.

SEC. 4. REPORT ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 
              EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EARLY CAREER SCIENCE AND 
              ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

    Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of 
Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on efforts to recruit and retain 
young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories and 
joint institutes. The report shall include--
            (1) a description of National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology policies and procedures, including financial 
        incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent 
        research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of 
        recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists 
        and engineers;
            (2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the 
        careers of young scientists and engineers at the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology, and also on the quality 
        of the research at the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology's laboratories and in the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology's programs;
            (3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to 
        efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, 
        including limited availability of full time equivalent 
        positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading 
        systems; and
            (4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and 
        retain young researchers and the source of such funds.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH AWARD MATCH PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall carry out a program to award grants on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their 
careers at institutions of higher education and organizations described 
in subsection (c)(2) to conduct high-risk, high-return research. The 
program shall support fundamental research with the potential for 
significant scientific or technical advancement.
    (b) Size and Duration of Award.--
            (1) Base award.--The duration of awards under this section 
        shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be up to 
        $75,000. The funding awarded under this paragraph shall not be 
        contingent on the receipt of funds under paragraph (2).
            (2) Matching award.--Each year that a recipient is 
        receiving funding under paragraph (1), the National Science 
        Foundation shall match any funds the recipient receives from 
        United States industry for work in the area described in the 
        recipient's application for the award, up to an additional 
        $37,500.
    (c) Eligibility.--Applicants for awards under this section shall be 
individuals who are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant 
professor or equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
            (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
        States; or
            (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
        nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
        museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
However, a recipient awarded a grant under this section may continue to 
receive funding under the grant regardless of whether the recipient has 
been granted tenure after the awarding of the grant.
    (d) Outreach.--The Director shall broadly disseminate information 
about when and how to apply for grants under this section, including by 
conducting outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
that are part B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as 
defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
    (e) Application.--Applicants for awards under this section shall 
submit to the Director--
            (1) a curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of 
        publications and a description of any activities demonstrating 
        leadership or educational activities;
            (2) a description of research areas of interest;
            (3) letters of recommendation; and
            (4) any other materials the Director requires.
    (f) Criteria for Awards.--In establishing criteria for evaluation 
of applications for grants under this section, the Director shall 
include--
            (1) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 
        frontiers of knowledge;
            (2) the potential innovative or transformative nature of 
        research in the areas of interest described in the application;
            (3) the creativity of the applicant as determined by 
        criteria set by the Director, including creativity demonstrated 
        in past research activities; and
            (4) the potential interest to industry of research in the 
        areas of interest described in the application.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation to 
carry out this section--
            (1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
            (2) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (3) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            (5) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.

SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AWARD MATCH PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science of the 
Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to scientists and engineers at the 
early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and 
organizations described in subsection (d)(2) to conduct high-risk, 
high-return research in areas related to energy production, storage, 
and use. The program shall support fundamental research with the 
potential for significant scientific or technical advancement.
    (b) Involvement of Department of Energy Organizations.--In carrying 
out this program, the Director shall consult with the research, 
development, demonstration, and commercial application programs of the 
Office of Nuclear Energy Research and Development, the Office of Fossil 
Energy, and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewables.
    (c) Size and Duration of Award.--
            (1) Base award.--The duration of awards under this section 
        shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be up to 
        $75,000. The funding awarded under this paragraph shall not be 
        contingent on the receipt of funds under paragraph (2).
            (2) Matching award.--Each year that a recipient is 
        receiving funding under paragraph (1), the Department of Energy 
        Office of Science shall match any funds the recipient receives 
        from United States industry for work in the area described in 
        the recipient's application for the award, up to an additional 
        $37,500.
    (d) Eligibility.--Applicants for awards under this section shall be 
individuals who are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant 
professor or equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
            (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
        States; or
            (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
        nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
        museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
However, a recipient awarded a grant under this section may continue to 
receive funding under the grant regardless of whether the recipient has 
been granted tenure after the awarding of the grant.
    (e) Outreach.--The Director shall broadly disseminate information 
about when and how to apply for grants under this section, including by 
conducting outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
that are part B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as 
defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
    (f) Application.--Applicants for awards under this section shall 
submit to the Director--
            (1) a curriculum vitae or resume, including a list of 
        publications and a description of any activities demonstrating 
        leadership or educational activities;
            (2) a description of research areas of interest;
            (3) letters of recommendation; and
            (4) any other materials the Director requires.
    (g) Criteria for Awards.--In establishing criteria for evaluation 
of applications for the grants awarded under subsection (a), the 
Director shall include--
            (1) the potential for leadership at the frontiers of 
        knowledge by the applicant;
            (2) the potential innovative or transformative nature of 
        research in the areas of interest described in the application;
            (3) the creativity of the applicant as determined by 
        criteria set by the Director, including creativity demonstrated 
        in past research activities; and
            (4) the potential interest to industry of research in the 
        areas of interest described in the application.
    (h) Collaboration With National Laboratories.--In awarding grants 
under this section, the Director may give priority to applications in 
which the proposed work includes collaboration with the Department of 
Energy National Laboratories.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Director's 
responsibilities under this section--
            (1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
            (2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (4) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            (5) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.

SEC. 7. MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION.

    (a) National Science Foundation Program.--Awards under the Major 
Research Instrumentation Program described in section 13 of the 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 shall range in 
amount between $100,000 and $20,000,000 and may be used to support the 
operations and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment acquired 
under the program.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for this program, 
$94,200,000 for fiscal year 2007, $100,800,000 for fiscal year 2008, 
$107,800,000 for fiscal year 2009, $115,300,000 for fiscal year 2010, 
and $123,400,000 for fiscal year 2011.

SEC. 8. DONATIONS.

    Section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 
U.S.C. 1870(f)) is amended by inserting at the end before the semicolon 
``, except that funds may be donated for specific prize competitions''.

SEC. 9. PROGRAM TO FOSTER CROSS-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall establish a program to award 
grants for long-term, potentially path-breaking, basic research 
designed to simultaneously advance the physical and nonbiomedical life 
sciences.
    (b) Merit Review.--Grants shall be awarded under this section on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis. The Director shall ensure that 
review panels for proposals received under this section include both 
physical scientists and nonbiomedical life scientists, and, when 
appropriate, engineers. The Director shall ensure that review panels 
for proposals received under this section are open to approving high-
risk research.
    (c) Awards.--The Director may award grants under this section to 
individuals, groups, and centers. The Director shall ensure that some 
of the grants awarded under section 2 are awarded consistent with this 
section.
    (d) Application and Selection.--Applications for grants under this 
section shall be submitted to the Director at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. At 
a minimum, applications shall contain a brief description of how the 
proposed research will advance both the physical and nonbiomedical life 
sciences. In evaluating applications, the Director shall consider, at a 
minimum, how significantly the research would advance both the physical 
and nonbiomedical life sciences.
    (e) Other Agencies.--The Director may carry out this program 
jointly with the Department of Energy Office of Science and other 
relevant Federal agencies.
    (f) Report.--The documents prepared by the Director to accompany 
the annual Presidential budget submission shall specify amounts to be 
expended on the program in this section.

SEC. 10. RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS.

    In carrying out its research programs on science policy and on the 
science of learning, the National Science Foundation may support 
research on the process of innovation and the teaching of 
inventiveness.

SEC. 11. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.

    (a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) a balanced science program as authorized by section 
        101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155) contributes 
        significantly to innovation in and the economic competitiveness 
        of the United States; and
            (2) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
        funded at the levels authorized under sections 202 and 203 of 
        that Act, would offer a balance among science, aeronautics, 
        exploration, and human space flight programs, all of which can 
        attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians 
        across a broad range of fields in science, technology, 
        mathematics, and engineering.
    (b) Participation in Innovation and Competitiveness Programs.--The 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
shall fully participate in any interagency efforts to promote 
innovation and economic competitiveness through scientific research and 
development within the spending levels cited in subsection (a).

SEC. 12. NASA WORKFORCE TRAINING.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration may establish a NASA Academy, which may be 
established as a virtual Academy using online learning techniques. The 
Academy, if established, shall be available to all employees of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to facilitate increased 
knowledge of engineering and scientific principles to further the 
missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Academy is to provide a unique 
training program to bridge the gap between the broad-based training 
provided by universities and the specific training needed to understand 
the different technologies which form the basis for work at the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as well as to update 
employees with the most current training available in the various 
skills and disciplines needed at the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration.
    (c) Submission of Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration shall transmit to the Committee on Science of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a notification of whether the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration will establish an Academy as 
described in subsection (a). If an Academy is to be established, then 
concurrent with the notification, the Administrator shall transmit a 
plan for the establishment of the Academy.

SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)); and
            (2) the term ``National Laboratory'' has the meaning given 
        the term ``nonmilitary energy laboratory'' in section 903(3) of 
        the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16182(3)).
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to authorize the 
        National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy Office 
        of Science to provide grants to early career researchers to 
        establish innovative research programs and integrate education 
        and research and to conduct high-risk, high-return research, 
        and for other purposes.''.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 294

109th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 5356

                          [Report No. 109-525]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To authorize the National Science Foundation and the Department of 
Energy Office of Science to provide grants to early career researchers 
 to establish innovative research programs and integrate education and 
                   research, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             June 22, 2006

Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House 
          on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed