[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2272 Engrossed in House (EH)]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2272

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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 ``21st Century 
Competitiveness Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 101. Findings.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
                    Subtitle A--Science Scholarships

Sec. 111. Short title.
Sec. 112. Findings.
Sec. 113. Policy objective.
Sec. 114. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.
       Subtitle B--Mathematics and Science Education Improvement

Sec. 121. Mathematics and science education partnerships amendments.
Sec. 122. Teacher institutes.
Sec. 123. Graduate degree program.
Sec. 124. Curricula.
Sec. 125. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent 
                            Expansion Program.
Sec. 126. High-need local educational agency definition.
Sec. 127. Teacher leaders.
Sec. 128. Laboratory science pilot program.
Sec. 129. Study on laboratory equipment donations for schools.
               TITLE II--SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. National Science Foundation early career awards for science 
                            and engineering researchers.
Sec. 203. Department of Energy early career awards for science and 
                            engineering researchers.
Sec. 204. Integrative graduate education and research traineeship 
                            program.
Sec. 205. Presidential innovation award.
Sec. 206. National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure.
Sec. 207. Research on innovation and inventiveness.
Sec. 208. Report on National Institute of Standards and Technology 
                            efforts to recruit and retain early CAREER 
                            science and engineering researchers.
Sec. 209. NASA's contribution to innovation.
Sec. 210. Undergraduate scholarships for science, technology, 
                            engineering, and mathematics.
                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Definitions.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 304. Centers for research on learning and education improvement.
Sec. 305. Interdisciplinary research.
Sec. 306. Pilot program of grants for new investigators.
Sec. 307. Broader impacts merit review criterion.
Sec. 308. Postdoctoral research fellows.
Sec. 309. Responsible conduct of research.
Sec. 310. Reporting of research results.
Sec. 311. Sharing research results.
Sec. 312. Funding for successful stem education programs.
Sec. 313. Cost sharing.
Sec. 314. Donations.
Sec. 315. Additional reports.
Sec. 316. Administrative amendments.
Sec. 317. National Science Board reports.
Sec. 318. National Academy of Science Report on Diversity in STEM 
                            fields.
Sec. 319. Sense of the Congress regarding the mathematics and science 
                            partnership programs of the Department of 
                            Education and the National Science 
                            Foundation.
Sec. 320. Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program.
Sec. 321. Communications training for scientists.
        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 401. Short title.
              Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 411. Scientific and technical research and services.
Sec. 412. Industrial technology services.
          Subtitle B--Innovation and Technology Policy Reforms

Sec. 421. Institute-wide planning report.
Sec. 422. Report by Visiting Committee.
Sec. 423. Manufacturing extension partnership.
Sec. 424. Technology Innovation Program.
Sec. 425. Research fellowships.
Sec. 426. Collaborative manufacturing research pilot grants.
Sec. 427. Manufacturing fellowship program.
Sec. 428. Meetings of Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.
Sec. 429. Manufacturing research database.
                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

Sec. 441. Post-doctoral fellows.
Sec. 442. Financial agreements clarification.
Sec. 443. Working capital fund transfers.
Sec. 444. Retention of depreciation surcharge.
Sec. 445. Non-Energy Inventions Program.
Sec. 446. Redefinition of the metric system.
Sec. 447. Repeal of redundant and obsolete authority.
Sec. 448. Clarification of standard time and time zones.
Sec. 449. Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.
Sec. 450. Malcolm Baldrige awards.
                  TITLE V--HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING

Sec. 501. High-performance computing research and development program.
Sec. 502. Definitions.

TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT

SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The National Science Foundation has made significant 
        and valuable contributions to the improvement of K-12 and 
        undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
        education throughout its 56 year history.
            (2) Under section 3 of the National Science Foundation Act 
        of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1862), the National Science Foundation is 
        explicitly required to strengthen science, mathematics, and 
        engineering research potential and education programs at all 
        levels.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) The term ``cost of attendance'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
            (2) The term ``Director'' means the Director of the 
        National Science Foundation.
            (3) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (4) The term ``mathematics and science teacher'' means a 
        mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary 
        school or secondary school level.

                    Subtitle A--Science Scholarships

SEC. 111. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``10,000 Teachers, 10 Million 
Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act''.

SEC. 112. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The prosperity the United States enjoys today is due in 
        no small part to investments the Nation has made in research 
        and development over the past 50 years.
            (2) Corporate, government, and national scientific and 
        technical leaders have raised concerns that current trends 
        affecting the science and technology enterprise of the Nation 
        could result in erosion of this past success and jeopardize 
        future prosperity.
            (3) The National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy 
        of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine were tasked in a 
        congressional request to recommend actions that the Federal 
        Government could take to enhance the science and technology 
        enterprise so that the United States can successfully compete, 
        prosper, and be secure in the global community of the 21st 
        century.
            (4) The Academies' highest priority recommendation in its 
        report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and 
        Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future'', is to 
        improve K-12 mathematics and science education, and the 
        Academies' first recommended action item is to institute a 
        major scholarship program to recruit and educate annually 
        10,000 mathematics and science teachers.

SEC. 113. POLICY OBJECTIVE.

    In carrying out the program under section 10 of the National 
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002, the National Science 
Foundation shall seek to increase by up to 10,000 per year the number 
of elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers in the 
Nation's schools having both exemplary subject knowledge and 
pedagogical skills.

SEC. 114. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Amendments.--Section 10 of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``teacher'' after ``noyce'' in the section 
        heading;
            (2) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``to provide scholarships, 
                stipends, and programming designed'';
                    (B) by inserting ``and to provide scholarships and 
                stipends to students participating in the program'' 
                after ``science teachers''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``Teacher'' after ``Noyce'';
            (3) in subsection (a)(3)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``encourage top college juniors and 
                seniors'' and inserting ``recruit and prepare 
                undergraduate students''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``qualified as'' after ``to 
                become'';
            (4) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii)--
                    (A) by striking ``programs to help scholarship 
                recipients'' and inserting ``academic courses and early 
                field teaching experiences designed to prepare students 
                participating in the program'';
                    (B) by striking ``programs that will result in'' 
                and inserting ``such preparation as is necessary to 
                meet requirements for''; and
                    (C) by striking ``licensing; and'' and inserting 
                ``licensing;'';
            (5) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(iii)--
                    (A) by striking ``scholarship recipients'' and 
                inserting ``students participating in the program'';
                    (B) by striking ``enable the recipients'' and 
                inserting ``enable the students''; and
                    (C) by striking ``; or'' and inserting ``; and'';
            (6) in subsection (a)(3)(A) by inserting at the end the 
        following new clause:
                            ``(iv) providing summer internships for 
                        freshman students participating in the program; 
                        or'';
            (7) in subsection (a)(3)(B)--
                    (A) by striking ``encourage'' and inserting 
                ``recruit and prepare''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``qualified as'' after ``to 
                become'';
            (8) by amending clause (ii) of subsection (a)(3)(B) to read 
        as follows:
                            ``(ii) offering academic courses and field 
                        teaching experiences designed to prepare 
                        stipend recipients to teach in elementary 
                        schools and secondary schools, including such 
                        preparation as is necessary to meet 
                        requirements for teacher certification or 
                        licensing; and'';
            (9) in subsection (a) by inserting at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(4) Eligibility requirement.--To be eligible for an award 
        under this section, an institution of higher education (or 
        consortia of such institutions) shall ensure that specific 
        faculty members and staff from the institution's mathematics, 
        science, or engineering departments and specific education 
        faculty are designated to carry out the development and 
        implementation of the program. An institution of higher 
        education may also include teacher leaders to participate in 
        developing the pedagogical content of the program and to 
        supervise students participating in the program in their field 
        teaching experiences. No institution of higher education shall 
        be eligible for an award unless faculty from the institution's 
        mathematics, science, or engineering departments are active 
        participants in the program.
            ``(5) 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. 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))).'';
            (10) in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``scholarship or stipend'';
                    (B) by inserting ``and summer internships'' after 
                ``number of scholarships''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``the type of activities proposed 
                for the recruitment of students to the program,'' after 
                ``intends to award,'';
            (11) in subsection (b)(1)(B)--
                    (A) by striking ``scholarship or stipend''; and
                    (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``, which 
                may include a description of any existing programs at 
                the applicant's institution that are targeted to the 
                education of mathematics and science teachers and the 
                number of teachers graduated annually from such 
                programs;'';
            (12) in subsection (b)(1), by striking subparagraph (C) and 
        inserting the following:
                    ``(C) a description of the academic courses and 
                field teaching experiences required under subsection 
                (a)(3)(A)(ii) and (B)(ii), including--
                            ``(i) a description of the undergraduate 
                        program that will enable a student to graduate 
                        within 5 years with a major in mathematics, 
                        science, or engineering and to obtain teacher 
                        certification or licensing;
                            ``(ii) a description of the field teaching 
                        experiences proposed; and
                            ``(iii) evidence of agreements between the 
                        applicant and the schools or school districts 
                        that are identified as the locations at which 
                        field teaching experiences will occur;
                    ``(D) a description of the programs required under 
                subsection (a)(3)(A)(iii) and (B)(iii), including 
                activities to assist new teachers in fulfilling their 
                service requirements under this section; and
                    ``(E) an identification of the applicant's 
                mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its 
                education faculty who will carry out the development 
                and implementation of the program as required under 
                subsection (a)(4).'';
            (13) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), 
                and (E) as subparagraphs (C), (D), (E) and (F), 
                respectively;
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) a new 
                subparagraph as follows:
                    ``(B) the extent to which the applicant's 
                mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its 
                education faculty have worked or will work 
                collaboratively to design new or revised curricula that 
                recognizes the specialized pedagogy required to teach 
                mathematics, science, and technology effectively in 
                elementary and secondary schools;''; and
                    (C) by amending subparagraph (F), as so 
                redesignated by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, to 
                read as follows:
                    ``(F) the ability of the applicant to recruit 
                students who are individuals identified in section 33 
                or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).'';
            (14) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``2 years'' and 
        inserting ``3 years'';
            (15) in subsection (c)(3)--
                    (A) by striking ``$7,500'' and inserting 
                ``$10,000''; and
                    (B) by striking ``2 years of scholarship support'' 
                and inserting ``3 years of scholarship support, unless 
                the Director establishes a policy by which part-time 
                students may receive additional years of support'';
            (16) in subsection (c)(4)--
                    (A) by striking ``6 years'' and inserting ``8 
                years'';
                    (B) by inserting ``, with a maximum service 
                requirement of 6 years'' after ``was received''; and
                    (C) by striking ``Service required under this 
                paragraph shall be performed in a high-need local 
                educational agency.'';
            (17) in subsection (c), by adding at the end a new 
        paragraph as follows:
            ``(5) Exception.--The period of service obligation under 
        paragraph (4) is reduced by 1 year for scholarship recipients 
        whose service is performed in a high-need local educational 
        agency. The Director shall establish and maintain a central 
        clearinghouse of information on teaching opportunities 
        available in high-need local educational agencies throughout 
        the United States, which shall be made available to individuals 
        having a service obligation under this section.'';
            (18) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``to receive 
        certification or licensing to teach'' and inserting 
        ``established under subsection (a)(3)(B)'';
            (19) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``and professional 
        achievement'' after ``academic merit'';
            (20) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``1 year'' and 
        inserting ``16 months'';
            (21) in subsection (d)(4)--
                    (A) by striking ``6 years'' and inserting ``4 
                years''; and
                    (B) by striking ``for each year a stipend was 
                received'';
            (22) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or section 10A'' after ``under 
                this section''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``or section 
                10A'' after ``subsection (d)'';
            (23) in subsection (f)(1), by inserting ``or section 10A'' 
        after ``under this section'';
            (24) in subsection (g)(2)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``Treasurer of the United States,'' 
                and inserting ``Treasurer of the United States.''; and
                    (B) by striking ``multiplied by 2.'';
            (25) in subsection (h), by inserting ``or section 10A'' 
        after ``under this section'';
            (26) in subsection (i)(3), by inserting ``or had a career 
        in'' after ``is working in'';
            (27) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (4);
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or section 
                10A'' after ``subsection (d)'';
                    (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (5) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) the term `teacher leader' means a mathematics or 
        science teacher who works to improve the instruction of 
        mathematics or science in kindergarten through grade 12 
        through--
                    ``(A) participating in the development or revision 
                of science, mathematics, engineering, or technology 
                curricula;
                    ``(B) serving as a mentor to mathematics or science 
                teachers;
                    ``(C) coordinating and assisting teachers in the 
                use of hands-on inquiry materials, equipment, and 
                supplies, and when appropriate, supervising acquisition 
                and repair of such materials;
                    ``(D) providing in-classroom teaching assistance to 
                mathematics or science teachers; and
                    ``(E) providing professional development, for the 
                purposes of training other teacher leaders, to 
                mathematics and science teachers.''; and
            (28) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Mathematics and Science Scholarship Gift Fund.--In accordance 
with section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, the 
Director is authorized to accept donations from the private sector to 
support scholarships, stipends, or internships associated with programs 
under this section.
    ``(k) Assessment of Teacher Service and Retention.--Not later than 
4 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Director 
shall transmit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the program 
carried out under this section. The report shall include the proportion 
of individuals receiving scholarships or stipends under the program 
who--
            ``(1) fulfill their service obligation required under this 
        section in a high-need local educational agency;
            ``(2) elect to fulfill their service obligation in a high-
        need local educational agency but fail to complete it, as 
        defined in subsection (g);
            ``(3) remain in the teaching profession beyond their 
        service obligation; and
            ``(4) remain in the teaching profession in a high-need 
        local educational agency beyond their service obligation.''.
    (b) Special Partnership Program for Stipends.--The National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after 
section 10 the following new section:

``SEC. 10A. SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR STIPENDS.

    ``(a) In General.--As part of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship 
Program established under section 10, the Director shall establish a 
separate type of award for eligible entities described in subsection 
(b). Stipends under this section shall be available only to 
mathematics, science, and engineering professionals who, while 
receiving the stipend, are enrolled in a program to receive 
certification or licensing to teach.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an institution of higher education (or consortia of 
such institutions) shall enter into a partnership with one or more 
private sector nonprofit organizations, local or State government 
organizations, and businesses. The members of the partnership shall 
provide the teaching supplements described in subsection (f).
    ``(c) Use of Grants.--Grants provided under this section shall be 
used by institutions of higher education or consortia to develop and 
implement a program to encourage science, mathematics, or engineering 
professionals to become qualified as mathematics and science teachers, 
through--
            ``(1) administering stipends in accordance with this 
        section;
            ``(2) offering academic courses and field teaching 
        experiences designed to prepare stipend recipients to teach in 
        elementary and secondary schools, including such preparation as 
        is necessary to meet the requirements for certification or 
        licensing; and
            ``(3) offering programs to stipend recipients, both during 
        and after matriculation in the program for which the stipend is 
        received, to enable recipients to become better mathematics and 
        science teachers, to fulfill the service requirements of this 
        section, and to exchange ideas with others in their fields.
    ``(d) Selection Process.--
            ``(1) Merit review.--Grants shall be provided under this 
        section on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
            ``(2) Applications.--An eligible institution of higher 
        education or consortium seeking funding 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. The application shall include, at a minimum--
                    ``(A) a description of the program that the 
                applicant intends to operate, including the number of 
                stipends the applicant intends to award, the type of 
                activities proposed for the recruitment of students to 
                the program, and the amount of the teaching supplements 
                to be provided in accordance with subsection (f);
                    ``(B) a description of the selection process that 
                will be used in awarding stipends, including a 
                description of the rigorous, nationally recognized test 
                that will be administered during the selection process 
                in order to determine whether individuals applying for 
                stipends have advanced content knowledge of science or 
                mathematics;
                    ``(C) evidence that the applicant has the 
                capability to administer the program in accordance with 
                the provisions of this section, which may include a 
                description of any existing programs at the applicant's 
                institution that are targeted to the education of 
                mathematics and science teachers and the number of 
                teachers graduated annually from such programs;
                    ``(D) a description of the academic courses and 
                field teaching experiences described in subsection 
                (c)(2), including--
                            ``(i) a description of an educational 
                        program that will enable a student to obtain 
                        teacher certification or licensing within 16 
                        months; and
                            ``(ii) evidence of agreements between the 
                        applicant and the schools or school districts 
                        that are identified as the locations at which 
                        field teaching experiences will occur;
                    ``(E) a description of the programs described in 
                subsection (c)(3), including activities to assist new 
                teachers in fulfilling their service requirements under 
                this section; and
                    ``(F) evidence that the partnership will provide 
                the teaching supplements required under subsection (f).
            ``(3) Criteria.--In evaluating the applications submitted 
        under paragraph (2), the Director shall consider, at a 
        minimum--
                    ``(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively 
                carry out the program and to meet the requirement of 
                subsection (f);
                    ``(B) the extent to which the applicant's 
                mathematics, science, or engineering faculty and its 
                education faculty have worked or will work 
                collaboratively to design new or revised curricula that 
                recognizes the specialized pedagogy required to teach 
                mathematics and science effectively in elementary and 
                secondary schools;
                    ``(C) the extent to which the applicant is 
                committed to making the program a central 
                organizational focus;
                    ``(D) the degree to which the proposed programming 
                will enable stipend recipients to become successful 
                mathematics and science teachers;
                    ``(E) the number and quality of the students that 
                will be served by the program; and
                    ``(F) the ability of the applicant to recruit 
                students who would otherwise not pursue a career in 
                teaching.
    ``(e) Stipends.--Individuals shall be selected to receive stipends 
under this section primarily on the basis of their content knowledge of 
science or mathematics as demonstrated by their performance on a test 
designated in accordance with subsection (d)(2)(B). Among individuals 
demonstrating equivalent content knowledge, consideration may be given 
to financial need and to the goal of promoting the participation of 
individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and 
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).
    ``(f) Teaching Supplements.--The members of a partnership shall 
identify a source of non-Federal funding to provide salary supplements 
to individuals who participate in the program under this section during 
the period of their service obligation under subsection (h).
    ``(g) Amount and Duration.--Stipends under this section shall be 
not less than $10,000 per year, except that no individual shall receive 
for any year more than the cost of attendance at that individual's 
institution. Individuals may receive a maximum of 16 months of stipend 
support.
    ``(h) Service Obligation.--If an individual receives a stipend 
under this section, that individual shall be required to complete, 
within 6 years after completion of the educational program for which 
the stipend was awarded, 4 years of service as a mathematics or science 
teacher in a public secondary school.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(6) of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading by inserting ``Teacher'' after 
        ``Noyce''; and
            (2) by inserting ``Teacher'' after ``Noyce''.

       Subtitle B--Mathematics and Science Education Improvement

SEC. 121. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS AMENDMENTS.

    Section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``(A)'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (C) by inserting ``, through 1 or more of its 
                departments in science, mathematics, or engineering,'' 
                after ``institution of higher education''; and
                    (D) by striking ``a State educational agency'' and 
                inserting ``education faculty from the participating 
                institution or institutions of higher education, a 
                State educational agency,'';
            (2) in subsection (a)(3)(B)--
                    (A) by inserting ``content-specific'' before 
                ``professional development programs'';
                    (B) by inserting ``which are'' before ``designed''; 
                and
                    (C) by inserting ``and which may include teacher 
                training activities to prepare mathematics and science 
                teachers to teach challenging mathematics, science, and 
                technology college-preparatory courses, including 
                Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate 
                courses'' after ``and science teachers'';
            (3) in subsection (a)(3)(C)--
                    (A) by inserting ``and laboratory experiences'' 
                after ``technology''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and laboratory'' after ``provide 
                technical'';
            (4) in subsection (a)(3)(I) by inserting ``including model 
        induction programs for teachers in their first 2 years of 
        teaching,'' after ``and science,'';
            (5) in subsection (a)(3)(K) by striking ``developing and 
        offering mathematics or science enrichment programs for 
        students, including after-school and summer programs;'' and 
        inserting ``developing educational programs and materials and 
        conducting mathematics, science, and technology enrichment 
        programs for students, including after-school programs and 
        summer camps for students described in subsection (b)(2)(G);'';
            (6) in subsection (a) by inserting at the end the 
        following:
            ``(8) Master's degree programs.--Activities carried out in 
        accordance with paragraph (3)(B) shall include the development 
        and offering of master's degree programs for in-service 
        mathematics and science teachers that will strengthen their 
        subject area knowledge and pedagogical skills, as described in 
        section 123 of the Act enacting this paragraph. Grants provided 
        under this section may be used to develop and implement courses 
        of instruction for the master's degree programs, which may 
        involve online learning, and develop related educational 
        materials.
            ``(9) Mentors for teachers and students of challenging 
        courses.--Partnerships carrying out activities to prepare 
        mathematics and science teachers to teach challenging 
        mathematics, science, and technology college-preparatory 
        courses, including Advanced Placement and International 
        Baccalaureate courses, in accordance with paragraph (3)(B) 
        shall encourage companies employing scientists, mathematicians, 
        or engineers to provide mentors to teachers and students and 
        provide for the coordination of such mentoring activities.
            ``(10) Inventiveness.--Activities carried out in accordance 
        with paragraph (3)(H) may include the development and 
        dissemination of curriculum tools that will help foster 
        inventiveness and innovation.'';
            (7) in subsection (b)(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) 
        and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively, and 
        inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(E) the extent to which the evaluation described 
                in paragraph (1)(E) will be independent and based on 
                objective measures;'';
            (8) in subsection (b) by inserting at the end the 
        following:
            ``(4) Minimum and maximum grant size.--A grant awarded 
        under this section shall be not less than $75,000 or greater 
        than $2,000,000 for any fiscal year.'';
            (9) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) 
                as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following 
                new paragraphs:
            ``(2) Report on model projects.--The Director shall 
        determine which completed projects funded through the program 
        under this section should be seen as models to be replicated on 
        a more expansive basis at the State or national levels. Not 
        later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
        paragraph, the Director shall transmit a report describing the 
        results of this study to the Committee on Science and 
        Technology and the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
        House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
            ``(3) Report on evaluations.--Not later than 4 years after 
        the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Director shall 
        transmit a report summarizing the evaluations required under 
        subsection (b)(1)(E) of grants received under this program and 
        describing any changes to the program recommended as a result 
        of these evaluations to the Committee on Science and Technology 
        and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
        Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
        and Pensions of the Senate. Such report shall be made widely 
        available to the public.''; and
            (10) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `mathematics and science teacher' means a 
        mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary 
        school or secondary school level; and
            ``(2) the term `science', in the context of elementary and 
        secondary education, includes technology and pre-
        engineering.''.

SEC. 122. TEACHER INSTITUTES.

    (a) National Science Foundation Institutes.--
            (1) In general.--The Director shall establish a grant 
        program to provide for summer or academic year teacher 
        institutes or workshops authorized by section 9(a)(3)(B) of the 
        National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
        U.S.C. 1862n(a)(3)(B)) and shall allow grantees under the 
        Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century program to operate 1 to 
        2 week summer teacher institutes with the goal of reaching the 
        maximum number of in-service mathematics and science teachers, 
        particularly elementary and middle school teachers, to improve 
        their content knowledge and pedagogical skills.
            (2) Preparation to teach challenging courses.--The Director 
        shall ensure that activities supported for awards under 
        paragraph (1) include the development and implementation of 
        teacher training activities to prepare mathematics and science 
        teachers to teach challenging mathematics, science, and 
        technology college-preparatory courses, including Advanced 
        Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
            (3) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Director shall give priority to applications that propose 
        programs that will attract mathematics and science teachers 
        from local educational agencies that--
                    (A) are receiving grants under title I of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) as a result of having within their 
                jurisdictions concentrations of children from low 
                income families; and
                    (B) are experiencing a shortage of highly qualified 
                teachers, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary 
                and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), 
                in the fields of science, mathematics, or technology.
    (b) Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy for the 
Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development program, $3,000,000 
for fiscal year 2008, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $10,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2010, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $10,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2012.

SEC. 123. GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall ensure that master's degree 
programs for in-service mathematics and science teachers that will 
strengthen their subject area knowledge and pedagogical skills are 
instituted in accordance with section 9(a)(8) of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n(a)(8)). The 
degree programs shall be designed for current teachers, who will enroll 
as part-time students, and to allow participants to obtain master's 
degrees within a period of 3 years.
    (b) Distribution of Awards.--The Director shall, in awarding grants 
to carry out subsection (a), consider the distribution of awards among 
institutions of higher education of different sizes and geographic 
locations.
    (c) Program Activities.--Activities supported through master's 
degree programs established under subsection (a) may include--
            (1) development of courses of instruction and related 
        educational materials;
            (2) stipends to defray the cost of attendance for students 
        in the degree program; and
            (3) acquisition of computer and networking equipment needed 
        for online instruction under the degree program.

SEC. 124. CURRICULA.

    Nothing in this title, or the amendments made by this title, shall 
be construed to limit the authority of State governments or local 
school boards to determine the curricula of their students.

SEC. 125. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS TALENT 
              EXPANSION PROGRAM.

    (a) Amendments.--Section 8(7) of the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``competitive, merit-
        based'' and all that follows through ``in recent years.'' and 
        inserting ``competitive, merit-reviewed multiyear grants for 
        eligible applicants to improve undergraduate education in 
        science, mathematics, engineering, and technology through--
                    ``(i) the creation of programs to increase the 
                number of students studying toward and completing 
                associate's or bachelor's degrees in science, 
                technology, engineering, and mathematics, particularly 
                in fields that have faced declining enrollment in 
                recent years; and
                    ``(ii) the creation of centers (in this paragraph 
                referred to as `Centers') to develop undergraduate 
                curriculum, teaching methods for undergraduate courses, 
                and methods to better train professors and teaching 
                assistants who teach undergraduate courses to increase 
                the number of students completing undergraduate courses 
                in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, 
                including the number of nonmajors, and to improve 
                student academic achievement in those courses.
        Grants made under clause (ii) shall be awarded jointly through 
        the Education and Human Resources Directorate and at least 1 
        research directorate of the Foundation.'';
            (2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
            ``(B) In selecting projects under subparagraph (A)(i), the 
        Director shall strive to increase the number of students 
        studying toward and completing baccalaureate degrees, 
        concentrations, or certificates in science, mathematics, 
        engineering, or technology who are--
                    ``(i) individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of 
                the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b); or
                    ``(ii) graduates of a secondary school that is 
                administered by a local educational agency that is 
                receiving grants under title I of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et 
                seq.) as a result of having within its jurisdiction 
                concentrations of children from low income families.'';
            (3) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``The types of'';
                    (B) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vi) as 
                subclauses (I) through (VI), respectively;
                    (C) by striking ``under this paragraph'' and 
                inserting ``under subparagraph (A)(i)''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new clause:
            ``(ii) The types of activities the Foundation may support 
        under subparagraph (A)(ii) include--
                    ``(I) creating model curricula and laboratory 
                programs;
                    ``(II) developing and demonstrating research-based 
                instructional methods and technologies;
                    ``(III) developing methods to train graduate 
                students and faculty to be more effective teachers of 
                undergraduates;
                    ``(IV) conducting programs to disseminate 
                curricula, instructional methods, or training methods 
                to faculty at the grantee institutions and at other 
                institutions;
                    ``(V) conducting assessments of the effectiveness 
                of the Center at accomplishing the goals described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii); and
                    ``(VI) conducting any other activities the Director 
                determines will accomplish the goals described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii).'';
            (4) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ``under this 
        paragraph'' and inserting ``under subparagraph (A)(i)'';
            (5) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ``under this 
        paragraph'' and inserting ``under subparagraph (A)(i)'';
            (6) after subparagraph (D)(iii), by adding at the end the 
        following new clause:
            ``(iv) A grant under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be awarded 
        for 5 years, and the Director may extend such a grant for up to 
        2 additional 3 year periods.'';
            (7) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``under this 
        paragraph'' both places it appears and inserting ``under 
        subparagraph (A)(i)'';
            (8) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (J); 
        and
            (9) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
            ``(F) Grants awarded under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be 
        carried out by a department or departments of science, 
        mathematics, or engineering at institutions of higher education 
        (or a consortia thereof), which may partner with education 
        faculty. Applications for awards under subparagraph (A)(ii) 
        shall be submitted to the Director at such time, in such 
        manner, and containing such information as the Director may 
        require. At a minimum, the application shall include--
                    ``(i) a description of the activities to be carried 
                out by the Center;
                    ``(ii) a plan for disseminating programs related to 
                the activities carried out by the Center to faculty at 
                the grantee institution and at other institutions;
                    ``(iii) an estimate of the number of faculty, 
                graduate students (if any), and undergraduate students 
                who will be affected by the activities carried out by 
                the Center; and
                    ``(iv) a plan for assessing the effectiveness of 
                the Center at accomplishing the goals described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii).
            ``(G) In evaluating the applications submitted under 
        subparagraph (F), the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
                    ``(i) the ability of the applicant to effectively 
                carry out the proposed activities, including the 
                dissemination activities described in subparagraph 
                (C)(ii)(IV); and
                    ``(ii) the extent to which the faculty, staff, and 
                administrators of the applicant institution are 
                committed to improving undergraduate science, 
                mathematics, and engineering education.
            ``(H) In awarding grants under subparagraph (A)(ii), the 
        Director shall endeavor to ensure that a wide variety of 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and 
        types of institutions of higher education, including 2-year 
        colleges and minority-serving institutions, are covered, and 
        that--
                    ``(i) at least 1 Center is housed at a Doctoral/
                Research University as defined by the Carnegie 
                Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; and
                    ``(ii) at least 1 Center is focused on improving 
                undergraduate education in an interdisciplinary area.
            ``(I) The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the 
        awardees under this paragraph to foster collaboration and to 
        disseminate the results of the Centers and the other activities 
        funded under this paragraph.''.
    (b) Report on Data Collection.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to Congress 
a report on how the Director is determining whether current grant 
recipients in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 
Talent Expansion Program are making satisfactory progress as required 
by section 8(7)(D)(ii) of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
Act of 2002 and what funding actions have been taken as a result of the 
Director's determinations.

SEC. 126. HIGH-NEED LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINITION.

    Section 4(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act 
of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(8) High-need local educational agency.--The term `high-
        need local educational agency' means a local educational agency 
        that--
                    ``(A) is receiving grants under title I of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) as a result of having within its 
                jurisdiction concentrations of children from low income 
                families; and
                    ``(B) is experiencing a shortage of highly 
                qualified teachers, as defined in section 9101 of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 7801), in the fields of science, mathematics, or 
                engineering.''.

SEC. 127. TEACHER LEADERS.

    The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is 
amended--
            (1) in section 4(11)--
                    (A) by striking ``master teacher'' and inserting 
                ``teacher leader'';
                    (B) by striking ``master teacher'' and inserting 
                ``teacher leader''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``master 
                teachers'' and inserting ``teacher leaders''; and
            (2) in section 9--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(3)(E), by striking ``master 
                teachers'' and inserting ``teacher leaders''; and
                    (B) in subsection (a)(4)--
                            (i) by striking ``master teachers'' and 
                        inserting ``teacher leaders''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``master teachers'' each 
                        place it appears and inserting ``teacher 
                        leaders''.

SEC. 128. LABORATORY SCIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) To remain competitive in science and technology in the 
        global economy, the United States must increase the number of 
        students graduating from high school prepared to pursue 
        postsecondary education in science, technology, engineering, 
        and mathematics.
            (2) There is broad agreement in the scientific community 
        that learning science requires direct involvement by students 
        in scientific inquiry and that laboratory experience is so 
        integral to the nature of science that it must be included in 
        every science program for every science student.
            (3) In America's Lab Report, the National Research Council 
        concluded that the current quality of laboratory experiences is 
        poor for most students and that educators and researchers do 
        not agree on how to define high school science laboratories or 
        on their purpose, hampering the accumulation of research on how 
        to improve labs.
            (4) The National Research Council found that schools with 
        higher concentrations of non-Asian minorities and schools with 
        higher concentrations of poor students are less likely to have 
        adequate laboratory facilities than other schools.
            (5) The Government Accountability Office reported that 49.1 
        percent of schools where the minority student population is 
        greater than 50.5 percent reported not meeting functional 
        requirements for laboratory science well or at all.
            (6) 40 percent of those college students who left the 
        science fields reported some problems related to high school 
        science preparation, including lack of laboratory experience 
        and no introduction to theoretical or to analytical modes of 
        thought.
            (7) It is in the national interest for the Federal 
        Government to invest in research and demonstration projects to 
        improve the teaching of laboratory science in the Nation's high 
        schools.
    (b) Grant Program.--Section 8(8) of the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as 
        clauses (i) through (vi), respectively;
            (2) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``A program of 
        competitive''; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following new 
        subparagraphs:
            ``(B) In accordance with subparagraph (A)(v), the Director 
        shall establish a research pilot program designated as 
        `Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science' to award grants 
        to partnerships to improve laboratories and provide 
        instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance 
        the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and 
        technology instruction at the secondary school level. Grants 
        under this subparagraph may be used for--
                    ``(i) purchase, rental, or leasing of equipment, 
                instrumentation, and other scientific educational 
                materials;
                    ``(ii) maintenance, renovation, and improvement of 
                laboratory facilities;
                    ``(iii) development of instructional programs 
                designed to integrate the laboratory experience with 
                classroom instruction and to be consistent with State 
                mathematics and science academic achievement standards;
                    ``(iv) training in laboratory safety for school 
                personnel;
                    ``(v) design and implementation of hands-on 
                laboratory experiences to encourage the interest of 
                individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the 
                Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, science, 
                engineering, and technology and help prepare such 
                individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these 
                fields; and
                    ``(vi) assessment of the activities funded under 
                this subparagraph.
            ``(C) Grants may be made under subparagraph (B) only to a 
        partnership--
                    ``(i) for a project that includes significant 
                teacher training and professional development 
                components; or
                    ``(ii) that establishes that appropriate teacher 
                training and professional development is being 
                addressed, or has been addressed, through other means.
            ``(D) Grants awarded under subparagraph (B) shall be to a 
        partnership that--
                    ``(i) includes an institution of higher education 
                or a community college;
                    ``(ii) includes a high-need local educational 
                agency;
                    ``(iii) includes a business or eligible nonprofit 
                organization; and
                    ``(iv) may include a State educational agency, 
                other public agency, National Laboratory, or community-
                based organization.
            ``(E) The Federal share of the cost of activities carried 
        out using amounts from a grant under subparagraph (B) shall not 
        exceed 50 percent.
            ``(F) The Director shall require grant recipients to submit 
        a report to the Director on the results of the project 
        supported by the grant.''.
    (c) Report.--The Director shall evaluate the effectiveness of 
activities carried out under the research pilot projects funded by the 
grant program established pursuant to the amendment made by subsection 
(b) in improving student performance in mathematics, science, 
engineering, and technology. A report documenting the results of that 
evaluation shall be submitted to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committees on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate not later than 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act. The report shall identify best practices and 
materials developed and demonstrated by grant awardees.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--From the amount authorized in 
section 303(a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(B), and (c)(2)(B) of this Act, there are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the 
amendments made by this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and 
such sums as may be necessary for each of the 2 succeeding fiscal 
years.

SEC. 129. STUDY ON LABORATORY EQUIPMENT DONATIONS FOR SCHOOLS.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Director shall transmit a report to the Congress examining the extent 
to which institutions of higher education are donating used laboratory 
equipment to elementary and secondary schools. The Director, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall survey institutions 
of higher education to determine--
            (1) how often, how much, and what type of equipment is 
        donated;
            (2) what criteria or guidelines the institutions are using 
        to determine what types of equipment can be donated, what 
        condition the equipment should be in, and which schools receive 
        the equipment;
            (3) whether the institutions provide any support to, or 
        follow-up with the schools; and
            (4) how appropriate donations can be encouraged.

               TITLE II--SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Sowing the Seeds Through Science 
and Engineering Research Act''.

SEC. 202. 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))). In awarding grants 
under this section, the Director shall give special consideration to 
eligible early-career researchers who have followed alternative career 
paths such as working part-time or in nonacademic settings, or who have 
taken a significant career break or other leave of absence.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriation.--For each of the fiscal years 
2008 through 2012, 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, except to 
the extent that a sufficient number of meritorious grant applications 
have not been received for a fiscal year.
    (h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology 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 from which individuals have 
participated in 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 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating 
the impact of the program carried out under this section on the ability 
of young faculty to compete for National Science Foundation research 
grants.

SEC. 203. 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, giving priority to grants to expand domestic energy 
production and use through coal-to-liquids technology and advanced 
nuclear reprocessing.
    (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 of the Office of Science 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 2008 through 2012.
    (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 of the 
Office of Science shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology 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. 204. INTEGRATIVE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Funding.--For each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the 
Director of the National Science Foundation shall allocate at least 1.5 
percent of funds appropriated for Research and Related Activities to 
the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program.
    (b) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with Federal 
departments and agencies, as appropriate, to expand the 
interdisciplinary nature of the Integrative Graduate Education and 
Research Traineeship program.
    (c) Authority To Accept Funds From Other Agencies.--The Director is 
authorized to accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies 
to carry out the Integrative Graduate Education and Research 
Traineeship program.

SEC. 205. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION AWARD.

    (a) Establishment.--The President shall periodically present the 
Presidential Innovation Award, on the basis of recommendations received 
from the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or on 
the basis of such other information as the President considers 
appropriate, to individuals who develop one or more unique scientific 
or engineering ideas in the national interest at the time the 
innovation occurs.
    (b) Purpose.--The awards under this section shall be made to--
            (1) stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the 
        national interest;
            (2) illustrate the linkage between science and engineering 
        and national needs;
            (3) show the potential of such innovation to substantively 
        enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States 
        through development of commercializable intellectual property; 
        and
            (4) provide an example to students of the contribution they 
        could make to society by entering the science and engineering 
        profession.
    (c) Citizenship.--An individual is not eligible to receive the 
award under this section unless at the time such award is made the 
individual--
            (1) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or
            (2) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for 
        permanent residence who--
                    (A) has filed an application for naturalization in 
                the manner prescribed by section 334 of the Immigration 
                and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1445); and
                    (B) is not permanently ineligible to become a 
                citizen of the United States.
    (d) Presentation.--The presentation of the award shall be made by 
the President with such ceremonies as he may deem proper, including 
attendance by appropriate Members of Congress.

SEC. 206. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE FOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) In General.--The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
establish a National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure. 
Such Office shall--
            (1) identify and prioritize the deficiencies in research 
        facilities and major instrumentation located at academic 
        institutions and at national laboratories that are available 
        for use by academic researchers; and
            (2) institute and coordinate the planning by Federal 
        agencies for the acquisition, refurbishment, and maintenance of 
        research facilities and major instrumentation required to 
        address the deficiencies identified under paragraph (1).
In prioritizing the deficiencies identified under paragraph (1), the 
Office shall consider research needs in areas relevant to the Nation's 
economic competitiveness.
    (b) Staffing.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy shall appoint individuals to serve in the Office established 
under subsection (a) from among the principal Federal agencies that 
support research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, and 
shall at a minimum include individuals from the National Science 
Foundation and the Department of Energy.
    (c) Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy shall provide annually a report to Congress at the time of the 
President's budget proposal--
            (1) describing the research infrastructure needs identified 
        in accordance with subsection (a);
            (2) listing research facilities projects and budget 
        proposals, by agency, for major instrumentation acquisitions 
        that are included in the President's budget proposal; and
            (3) explaining how these facilities projects and 
        instrumentation acquisitions relate to the deficiencies and 
        priorities arrived at in accordance with subsection (a).

SEC. 207. 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. 208. 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 and Technology 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. 209. 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. 210. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, 
              ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.

    (a) Establishment.--The National Science Foundation shall establish 
a program, to be known as the Undergraduate Scholarships for Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or US-STEM, program, for 
awarding scholarships to undergraduate scholars in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics.
    (b) Eligibility.--A student is eligible for a scholarship under 
this section only if the student--
            (1) is enrolled at a public, 4-year college or university;
            (2) will have completed at least one-half of the credit 
        requirements for an undergraduate degree before beginning 
        studies to be funded by the scholarship;
            (3) has maintained a grade point average in undergraduate 
        studies of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, or an equivalent 
        level as calculated by the National Science Foundation, except 
        that if the student's institution appeals this criterion on the 
        basis of undue hardship on the student, the National Science 
        Foundation may waive this paragraph;
            (4) has a total family income of less than $75,000 per 
        year, with such amount to be adjusted annually by the National 
        Science Foundation for inflation;
            (5) has not been convicted of a felony; and
            (6) is a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United 
        States.
    (c) Selection Criteria.--Scholarship recipients shall be selected 
on the basis of merit and such other criteria as the National Science 
Foundation shall establish.
    (d) Awards.--The National Science Foundation shall announce awards 
before April 1 for each upcoming academic year, and may make up to 
2,500 awards per year. Awards may be made for a maximum of 2 academic 
years for each student, and scholarship amounts shall be paid to the 
institution.
    (e) Advisory Board.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall establish an advisory board, which shall make 
recommendations to the Director for selection criteria for scholarship 
recipients, and provide guidance and oversight for the program.

                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2007''.

SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National Science 
        Board established under section 2 of the National Science 
        Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Foundation.
            (3) Elementary school.--The term ``elementary school'' has 
        the meaning given that term by section 9101(18) of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801(18)).
            (4) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
        Science Foundation.
            (5) Institution of higher education.--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)).
            (6) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has 
        the meaning given that term by section 9101(38) of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801(38)).

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Fiscal Year 2008.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Foundation $6,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
            (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) $5,080,000,000 shall be made available for 
                research and related activities, of which $115,000,000 
                shall be made available for the Major Research 
                Instrumentation program;
                    (B) $873,000,000 shall be made available for 
                education and human resources, of which--
                            (i) $94,000,000 shall be for Mathematics 
                        and Science Education Partnerships established 
                        under section 9 of the National Science 
                        Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
                        1862n), of which $32,000,000 shall be made 
                        available for the purposes of section 122(a) of 
                        this Act and $46,000,000 shall be made 
                        available for the purposes of section 123 of 
                        this Act;
                            (ii) $70,000,000 shall be for the Robert 
                        Noyce Scholarship Program established under 
                        section 10 of the National Science Foundation 
                        Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);
                            (iii) $44,000,000 shall be for the Science, 
                        Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent 
                        Expansion Program established under section 
                        8(7) of the National Science Foundation 
                        Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368); 
                        and
                            (iv) $51,620,000 shall be for the Advanced 
                        Technological Education program established by 
                        section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-
                        Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-476);
                    (C) $245,000,000 shall be made available for major 
                research equipment and facilities construction;
                    (D) $285,600,000 shall be made available for agency 
                operations and award management;
                    (E) $4,050,000 shall be made available for the 
                Office of the National Science Board; and
                    (F) $12,350,000 shall be made available for the 
                Office of Inspector General.
    (b) Fiscal Year 2009.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Foundation $6,980,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
            (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) $5,457,400,000 shall be made available for 
                research and related activities, of which $123,100,000 
                shall be made available for the Major Research 
                Instrumentation program;
                    (B) $934,000,000 shall be made available for 
                education and human resources, of which--
                            (i) $100,600,000 shall be for Mathematics 
                        and Science Education Partnerships established 
                        under section 9 of the National Science 
                        Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
                        1862n), of which $35,200,000 shall be made 
                        available for the purposes of section 122(a) of 
                        this Act and $50,600,000 shall be made 
                        available for the purposes of section 123 of 
                        this Act;
                            (ii) $101,000,000 shall be for the Robert 
                        Noyce Scholarship Program established under 
                        section 10 of the National Science Foundation 
                        Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);
                            (iii) $55,000,000 shall be for the Science, 
                        Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent 
                        Expansion Program established under section 
                        8(7) of the National Science Foundation 
                        Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368); 
                        and
                            (iv) $55,200,000 shall be for the Advanced 
                        Technological Education program as established 
                        by section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-
                        Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-476);
                    (C) $262,000,000 shall be made available for major 
                research equipment and facilities construction;
                    (D) $309,760,000 shall be made available for agency 
                operations and award management;
                    (E) $4,120,000 shall be made available for the 
                Office of the National Science Board; and
                    (F) $12,720,000 shall be made available for the 
                Office of Inspector General.
    (c) Fiscal Year 2010.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Foundation $7,493,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
            (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) $5,863,200,000 shall be made available for 
                research and related activities, of which $131,700,000 
                shall be made available for the Major Research 
                Instrumentation program;
                    (B) $1,003,000,000 shall be made available for 
                education and human resources, of which--
                            (i) $107,600,000 shall be for Mathematics 
                        and Science Education Partnerships established 
                        under section 9 of the National Science 
                        Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
                        1862n), of which $38,700,000 shall be made 
                        available for the purposes of section 122(a) of 
                        this Act and $55,700,000 shall be made 
                        available for the purposes of section 123 of 
                        this Act;
                            (ii) $133,000,000 shall be for the Robert 
                        Noyce Scholarship Program established under 
                        section 10 of the National Science Foundation 
                        Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);
                            (iii) $60,000,000 shall be for the Science, 
                        Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Talent 
                        Expansion Program established under section 
                        8(7) of the National Science Foundation 
                        Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368); 
                        and
                            (iv) $59,100,000 shall be for the Advanced 
                        Technological Education program as established 
                        by section 3(a) of the Scientific and Advanced-
                        Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-476);
                    (C) $280,000,000 shall be made available for major 
                research equipment and facilities construction;
                    (D) $329,450,000 shall be made available for agency 
                operations and award management;
                    (E) $4,250,000 shall be made available for the 
                Office of the National Science Board; and
                    (F) $13,100,000 shall be made available for the 
                Office of Inspector General.
    (d) Major Research Instrumentation.--
            (1) Award amount.--The minimum amount of an award under the 
        Major Research Instrumentation program shall be $100,000. The 
        maximum amount of an award under the program shall be 
        $4,000,000, except if the total amount appropriated for the 
        program for a fiscal year exceeds $125,000,000, in which case 
        the maximum amount of an award shall be $6,000,000.
            (2) Use of funds.--In addition to the acquisition of 
        instrumentation and equipment, funds made available by awards 
        under the Major Research Instrumentation program may be used to 
        support the operations and maintenance of such instrumentation 
        and equipment.
            (3) Cost sharing.--
                    (A) In general.--An institution of higher education 
                receiving an award shall provide at least 30 percent of 
                the cost from private or non-Federal sources.
                    (B) Exceptions.--Institutions of higher education 
                that are not Ph.D.-granting institutions are exempt 
                from the cost sharing requirement in subparagraph (A), 
                and the Director may reduce or waive the cost sharing 
                requirement for--
                            (i) institutions--
                                    (I) which are not ranked among the 
                                top 100 institutions receiving Federal 
                                research and development funding, as 
                                documented by the statistical data 
                                published by the Foundation; and
                                    (II) for which the proposed project 
                                will make a substantial improvement in 
                                the institution's capabilities to 
                                conduct leading edge research, to 
                                provide research experiences for 
                                undergraduate students using leading 
                                edge facilities, and to broaden the 
                                participation in science and 
                                engineering research by individuals 
                                identified in section 33 or 34 of the 
                                Science and Engineering Equal 
                                Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 
                                1885b); and
                            (ii) consortia of institutions of higher 
                        education that include at least one institution 
                        that is not a Ph.D-granting institution.
    (e) Undergraduate Education Programs.--The Director shall continue 
to carry out programs in support of undergraduate education, including 
those authorized in section 17 of the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-6). Funding for these 
programs shall increase in proportion to the increase in the total 
amount appropriated to the Foundation in any year for which 
appropriations are authorized by this title.
    (f) Limit on Proposals.--
            (1) Policy.--For programs that require as part of the 
        selection process for awards the submission of preproposals and 
        that also limit the number of preproposals that may be 
        submitted by an institution, the Director shall allow the 
        subsequent submission of a full proposal based on each 
        preproposal that is determined to have merit following the 
        Foundation's merit review process.
            (2) Review and assessment of policies.--The Board shall 
        review and assess the effects on institutions of higher 
        education of the policies of the Foundation regarding the 
        imposition of limitations on the number of proposals that may 
        be submitted by a single institution for programs supported by 
        the Foundation. The Board shall determine whether current 
        policies are well justified and appropriate for the types of 
        programs that limit the number of proposal submissions. Not 
        later that 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Board shall summarize its findings and any recommendations 
        regarding changes to the current policy on the restriction of 
        proposal submissions in a report to the Committee on Science 
        and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
        Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
        Senate.
    (g) Research Experiences for Undergraduates.--The Director shall 
increase funding for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates 
program in proportion to the increase in the total amount appropriated 
to the Foundation for research and related activities in any year for 
which appropriations are authorized by this title.
    (h) Global Warming Education.--
            (1) Informal education.--As part of Informal Science 
        Education activities, the Director shall support activities to 
        create informal educational materials, exhibits, and multimedia 
        presentations relevant to global warming, climate science, and 
        greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
            (2) K-12 instructional materials.--As part of Discovery 
        Research K-12 activities, the Director shall support the 
        development of K-12 educational materials relevant to global 
        warming, climate science, and greenhouse gas reduction 
        strategies.

SEC. 304. CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON LEARNING AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) Funding for Centers.--The Director shall continue to carry out 
the program of Centers for Research on Learning and Education 
Improvement as established in section 11 of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-2).
    (b) Eligibility for Centers.--Section 11 of the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-2) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``or eligible 
        nonprofit organizations'' after ``institutions of higher 
        education'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1) by inserting ``or an eligible 
        nonprofit organization'' after ``institution of higher 
        education''; and
            (3) in subsection (b)(1) by striking ``of such 
        institutions'' and inserting ``thereof''.

SEC. 305. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--The Board shall evaluate the role of the 
Foundation in supporting interdisciplinary research, including through 
the Major Research Instrumentation program, the effectiveness of the 
Foundation's efforts in providing information to the scientific 
community about opportunities for funding of interdisciplinary research 
proposals, and the process through which interdisciplinary proposals 
are selected for support. The Board shall also evaluate the 
effectiveness of the Foundation's efforts to engage undergraduate 
students in research experiences in interdisciplinary settings, 
including through the Research in Undergraduate Institutions program 
and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Board shall provide the results of its evaluation under 
subsection (a), including a recommendation for the proportion of the 
Foundation's research and related activities funding that should be 
allocated for interdisciplinary research, to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

SEC. 306. PILOT PROGRAM OF GRANTS FOR NEW INVESTIGATORS.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall carry out a pilot program to 
award one-year grants to individuals to assist them in improving 
research proposals that were previously submitted to the Foundation but 
not selected for funding.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used 
to enable an individual to resubmit an updated research proposal for 
review by the Foundation through the agency's competitive merit review 
process. Uses of funds made available under this section may include 
the generation of new data and the performance of additional analysis.
    (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an individual shall--
            (1) not have previously received funding as the principal 
        investigator of a research grant from the Foundation; and
            (2) have submitted a proposal to the Foundation, which may 
        include a proposal submitted to the Research in Undergraduate 
        Institutions program, that was rated very good or excellent 
        under the Foundation's competitive merit review process.
    (d) Selection Process.--The Director shall make awards under this 
section based on the advice of the program officers of the Foundation.
    (e) Program Administration.--The Director may carry out this 
section through the Small Grants for Exploratory Research program.
    (f) National Science Board Review.--The Board shall conduct a 
review and assessment of the pilot program under this section, 
including the number of new investigators funded, the distribution of 
awards by type of institution of higher education, and the success rate 
upon resubmittal of proposals by new investigators funded through this 
pilot program. Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Board shall summarize its findings and any 
recommendations regarding changes to or the continuation of the pilot 
program in a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate.

SEC. 307. BROADER IMPACTS MERIT REVIEW CRITERION.

    (a) In General.--In evaluating research proposals under the 
Foundation's broader impacts criterion, the Director shall give special 
consideration to proposals that involve partnerships between academic 
researchers and industrial scientists and engineers that address 
research areas that have been identified as having high importance for 
future national economic competitiveness, such as nanotechnology.
    (b) Partnerships With Industry.--The Director shall encourage 
research proposals from institutions of higher education that involve 
partnerships with businesses and organizations representing businesses 
in fields that have been identified as having high importance for 
future national economic competitiveness and that include input on the 
research agenda from and cost-sharing by the industry partners.
    (c) Report on Broader Impacts Criterion.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to 
Congress a report on the impact of the broader impacts grant criterion 
used by the Foundation. The report shall--
            (1) identify the criteria that each division and 
        directorate of the Foundation uses to evaluate the broader 
        impacts aspects of research proposals;
            (2) provide a breakdown of the types of activities by 
        division that awardees have proposed to carry out to meet the 
        broader impacts criterion;
            (3) provide any evaluations performed by the Foundation to 
        assess the degree to which the broader impacts aspects of 
        research proposals were carried out and how effective they have 
        been at meeting the goals described in the research proposals;
            (4) describe what national goals, such as improving 
        undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering education, 
        improving K-12 science and mathematics education, promoting 
        university-industry collaboration and technology transfer, and 
        broadening participation of underrepresented groups, the 
        broader impacts criterion is best suited to promote; and
            (5) describe what steps the Foundation is taking and should 
        take to use the broader impacts criterion to improve 
        undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering education.

SEC. 308. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWS.

    (a) Mentoring.--The Director shall require that all grant 
applications that include funding to support postdoctoral researchers 
include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided 
for such individuals, and shall ensure that this part of the 
application is evaluated under the Foundation's broader impacts merit 
review criterion. Mentoring activities may include career counseling, 
training in preparing grant applications, guidance on ways to improve 
teaching skills, and training in research ethics.
    (b) Reports.--The Director shall require that annual reports and 
the final report for research grants that include funding to support 
postdoctoral researchers include a description of the mentoring 
activities provided to such researchers.

SEC. 309. RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH.

    The Director shall require that each institution that applies for 
financial assistance from the Foundation for science and engineering 
research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide 
appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical 
conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, and 
postdoctoral researchers participating in the proposed research 
project.

SEC. 310. REPORTING OF RESEARCH RESULTS.

    The Director shall ensure that all final project reports and 
citations of published research documents resulting from research 
funded, in whole or in part, by the Foundation, are made available to 
the public in a timely manner and in electronic form through the 
Foundation's Web site.

SEC. 311. SHARING RESEARCH RESULTS.

    An investigator supported under a Foundation award, whom the 
Director determines has failed to comply with the provisions of section 
734 of the Foundation Grant Policy Manual, shall be ineligible for a 
future award under any Foundation supported program or activity. The 
Director may restore the eligibility of such an investigator on the 
basis of the investigator's subsequent compliance with the provisions 
of section 734 of the Foundation Grant Policy Manual and with such 
other terms and conditions as the Director may impose.

SEC. 312. FUNDING FOR SUCCESSFUL STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Evaluation of Programs.--The Director shall, on an annual 
basis, evaluate all of the Foundation's grants that are scheduled to 
expire within one year and--
            (1) that have the primary purpose of meeting the objectives 
        of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1885 et seq.); or
            (2) that have the primary purpose of providing teacher 
        professional development.
    (b) Continuation of Funding.--For grants that are identified under 
subsection (a) and that are deemed by the Director to be successful in 
meeting the objectives of the initial grant solicitation, the Director 
may extend the duration of those grants for up to 3 additional years 
beyond their scheduled expiration without the requirement for a 
recompetition. The Director may extend such grants for an additional 3 
years following a second review within 1 year before the extended 
completion date, in accordance with subsection (a), and the 
determination by the Director that the objectives of the grant are 
being achieved.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
that--
            (1) lists the grants which have been extended in duration 
        by the authority provided under this section; and
            (2) provides any recommendations the Director may have 
        regarding the extension of the authority provided under this 
        section to programs other than those specified in subsection 
        (a).

SEC. 313. COST SHARING.

    (a) In General.--The Board shall evaluate the impact of its policy 
to eliminate cost sharing for research grants and cooperative 
agreements for existing programs that were developed around industry 
partnerships and historically required industry cost sharing, such as 
the Engineering Research Centers and Industry/University Cooperative 
Research Centers. The Board shall also consider the impact that the 
cost sharing policy has on initiating new programs for which industry 
interest and participation are sought.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Board shall report to the Committee on Science and 
Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, on the 
results of the evaluation under subsection (a).

SEC. 314. 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. 315. ADDITIONAL REPORTS.

    (a) Report on Funding for Major Facilities.--
            (1) Preconstruction funding.--The Board shall evaluate the 
        appropriateness of the requirement that funding for detailed 
        design work and other preconstruction activities for major 
        research equipment and facilities come exclusively from the 
        sponsoring research division rather than being available, at 
        least in part, from the Major Research Equipment and Facilities 
        Construction account.
            (2) Maintenance and operation costs.--The Board shall 
        evaluate the appropriateness of the Foundation's policies for 
        allocation of costs for, and oversight of, maintenance and 
        operation of major research equipment and facilities.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Board shall report on the results of 
        the evaluations under paragraphs (1) and (2) and on any 
        recommendations for modifying the current policies related to 
        allocation of funding for major research equipment and 
        facilities to the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, 
        and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and 
        the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
    (b) Inclusion of Polar Facilities Upgrades in Major Research 
Equipment and Facilities Construction Plan.--Section 201(a)(2)(D) of 
the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 
1862l(a)(2)(D)) is amended by inserting ``and for major upgrades of 
facilities in support of Antarctic research programs'' after 
``facilities construction account''.
    (c) Report on Education Programs Within the Research 
Directorates.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report cataloging all 
elementary and secondary school, informal, and undergraduate 
educational programs and activities supported through appropriations 
for Research and Related Activities. The report shall display the 
programs and activities by directorate, along with estimated funding 
levels for the fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008, and shall provide a 
description of the goals of each program and activity. The report shall 
also describe how the programs and activities relate to or are 
coordinated with the programs supported by the Education and Human 
Resources Directorate.
    (d) Report on Research in Undergraduate Institutions Program.--The 
Director shall transmit to Congress along with the fiscal year 2011 
budget request a report listing the funding success rates and 
distribution of awards for the Research in Undergraduate Institutions 
program, by type of institution based on the highest academic degree 
conferred by the institution, for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.
    (e) Annual Plan for Allocation of Education and Human Resources 
Funding.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of legislation providing for the annual appropriation 
        of funds for the Foundation, the Director shall submit to the 
        Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the 
        Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a plan for the 
        allocation of education and human resources funds authorized by 
        this title for the corresponding fiscal year, including any 
        funds from within the research and related activities account 
        used to support activities that have the primary purpose of 
        improving education or broadening participation.
            (2) Specific requirements.--The plan shall include a 
        description of how the allocation of funding--
                    (A) will affect the average size and duration of 
                education and human resources grants supported by the 
                Foundation;
                    (B) will affect trends in research support for the 
                effective instruction of mathematics, science, 
                engineering, and technology;
                    (C) will affect the K-20 pipeline for the study of 
                mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; and
                    (D) will encourage the interest of individuals 
                identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and 
                Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 
                1885b) in mathematics, science, engineering, and 
                technology, and help prepare such individuals to pursue 
                postsecondary studies in these fields.

SEC. 316. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Triannual Audit of the Office of the National Science Board.--
Section 15(a) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 
2002 (42 U.S.C. 4862n-5) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``an annual audit'' and 
        inserting ``an audit every three years'';
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``each year'' and 
        inserting ``every third year''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) Materials relating to closed portions of meetings.--
        To facilitate the audit required under paragraph (3) of this 
        subsection, the Office of the National Science Board shall 
        maintain the General Counsel's certificate, the presiding 
        officer's statement, and a transcript or recording of any 
        closed meeting, for at least 3 years after such meeting.''.
    (b) Limited Term Personnel for the National Science Board.--
Subsection (g) of section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act of 
1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(g)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(g) The Board may, with the concurrence of a majority of its 
members, permit the appointment of a staff consisting of not more than 
5 professional staff members, technical and professional personnel on 
leave of absence from academic, industrial, or research institutions 
for a limited term and such operations and support staff members as may 
be necessary. Such staff shall be appointed by the Chairman and 
assigned at the direction of the Board. The professional members and 
limited term technical and professional personnel of such staff may be 
appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and the 
provisions of chapter 51 of such title relating to classification, and 
shall be compensated at a rate not exceeding the maximum rate payable 
under section 5376 of such title, as may be necessary to provide for 
the performance of such duties as may be prescribed by the Board in 
connection with the exercise of its powers and functions under this 
Act. Section 14(a)(3) shall apply to each limited term appointment of 
technical and professional personnel under this subsection. Each 
appointment under this subsection shall be subject to the same security 
requirements as those required for personnel of the Foundation 
appointed under section 14(a).''.
    (c) Increase in Number of Waterman Awards to Three.--Section 6(c) 
of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 
1881a) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Up to three awards may be made under this section in any one 
fiscal year.''.

SEC. 317. NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD REPORTS.

    Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 4(j) of the National Science 
Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(j)(1) and (2)) are amended by 
striking ``, for submission to'' and ``for submission to'', 
respectively, and inserting ``and''.

SEC. 318. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE REPORT ON DIVERSITY IN STEM 
              FIELDS.

    (a) In General.--The Foundation shall enter into an arrangement 
with the National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted 
to the Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, about barriers to increasing the number of underrepresented 
minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields 
and to identify strategies for bringing more underrepresented 
minorities into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
workforce.
    (b) Specific Requirements.--The Director shall ensure that the 
study described in subsection (a) addresses--
            (1) social and institutional factors that shape the 
        decisions of minority students to commit to education and 
        careers in the science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics fields;
            (2) specific barriers preventing greater minority student 
        participation in the science, technology, engineering, and 
        mathematics fields;
            (3) primary focus points for policy intervention to 
        increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented 
        minorities in America's future workforce;
            (4) programs already underway to increase diversity in the 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, and 
        their level of effectiveness;
            (5) factors that make such programs effective, and how to 
        expand and improve upon existing programs;
            (6) the role of minority-serving institutions in the 
        diversification of America's workforce in these fields and how 
        that role can be supported and strengthened; and
            (7) how the public and private sectors can better assist 
        minority students in their efforts to join America's workforce 
        in these fields.

SEC. 319. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE 
              PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND 
              THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) although the mathematics and science education 
        partnership program at the National Science Foundation and the 
        mathematics and science partnership program at the Department 
        of Education practically share the same name, the 2 programs 
        are intended to be complementary, not duplicative;
            (2) the National Science Foundation partnership programs 
        are innovative, model reform initiatives that move promising 
        ideas in education from research into practice to improve 
        teacher quality, develop challenging curricula, and increase 
        student achievement in mathematics and science, and Congress 
        intends that the National Science Foundation peer-reviewed 
        partnership programs found to be effective should be put into 
        wider practice by dissemination through the Department of 
        Education partnership programs; and
            (3) the Director of the National Science Foundation and the 
        Secretary of Education should have ongoing collaboration to 
        ensure that the 2 components of this priority effort for 
        mathematics and science education continue to work in concert 
        for the benefit of States and local practitioners nationwide.

SEC. 320. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Director is authorized to establish a new 
program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to 
Hispanic-serving institutions to enhance the quality of undergraduate 
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education at such 
institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of 
students pursuing associate's or baccalaureate degrees in science, 
mathematics, engineering, or technology.
    (b) Program Components.--Grants awarded under this section shall 
support--
            (1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in 
        science, mathematics, engineering, and technology;
            (2) faculty development;
            (3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in 
        research; and
            (4) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as 
        determined by the Director.
    (c) Instrumentation.--Funding for instrumentation is an allowed use 
of grants awarded under this section.

SEC. 321. COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING FOR SCIENTISTS.

    (a) Grant Supplements for Communications Training.--The Director 
shall provide grant supplements, on a competitive, merit-reviewed 
basis, to institutions receiving awards under the Integrative Graduate 
Education and Research Traineeship program.   The grant supplements 
shall be used to train graduate students in the communication of the 
substance and importance of their research to nonscientist audiences, 
including policymakers.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit a report to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives, 
and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, 
describing how the activities required under subsection (a) have been 
implemented.   The report shall include data on the number of graduate 
students trained and the number and size of grant supplements awarded, 
and a description of the types of activities funded through the grant 
supplements.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Technology Innovation and 
Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007''.

              Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations

SEC. 411. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES.

    (a) Laboratory Activities.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Secretary of Commerce for the scientific and technical research 
and services laboratory activities of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology--
            (1) $470,879,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $497,750,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
            (3) $537,569,000 for fiscal year 2010.
    (b) Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the 
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program under section 17 of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a)--
            (1) $7,860,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $8,096,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
            (3) $8,339,000 for fiscal year 2010.
    (c) Construction and Maintenance.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for construction and 
maintenance of facilities of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology--
            (1) $93,865,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $86,371,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
            (3) $49,719,000 for fiscal year 2010.

SEC. 412. INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce for Industrial Technology Services activities of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology--
            (1) $222,968,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which--
                    (A) $110,000,000 shall be for the Technology 
                Innovation Program under section 28 of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                278n), of which at least $45,000,000 shall be for new 
                awards; and
                    (B) $112,968,000 shall be for the Manufacturing 
                Extension Partnership program under sections 25 and 26 
                of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
                Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), of which not more than 
                $1,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program 
                under section 25(f) of such Act;
            (2) $263,505,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which--
                    (A) $141,500,000 shall be for the Technology 
                Innovation Program under section 28 of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                278n), of which at least $45,000,000 shall be for new 
                awards; and
                    (B) $122,005,000 shall be for the Manufacturing 
                Extension Partnership Program under sections 25 and 26 
                of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
                Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), of which not more than 
                $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program 
                under section 25(f) of such Act; and
            (3) $282,266,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which--
                    (A) $150,500,000 shall be for the Technology 
                Innovation Program under section 28 of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                278n), of which at least $45,000,000 shall be for new 
                awards; and
                    (B) $131,766,000 shall be for the Manufacturing 
                Extension Partnership Program under sections 25 and 26 
                of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
                Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l), of which not more than 
                $4,000,000 shall be for the competitive grant program 
                under section 25(f) of such Act.

          Subtitle B--Innovation and Technology Policy Reforms

SEC. 421. INSTITUTE-WIDE PLANNING REPORT.

    Section 23 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278i) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections:
    ``(c) Concurrent with the submission to Congress of the President's 
annual budget request in the first year after the date of enactment of 
the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007, 
the Director shall transmit to the Congress a 3-year programmatic 
planning document for the Institute, including programs under the 
Scientific and Technical Research and Services, Industrial Technology 
Services, and Construction of Research Facilities functions.
    ``(d) Concurrent with the submission to the Congress of the 
President's annual budget request in each year after the date of 
enactment of the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation 
Act of 2007, the Director shall transmit to the Congress an update to 
the 3-year programmatic planning document transmitted under subsection 
(c), revised to cover the first 3 fiscal years after the date of that 
update.''.

SEC. 422. REPORT BY VISITING COMMITTEE.

    Section 10(h)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``on or before January 31 in each year'' 
        and inserting ``within 30 days after the submission to Congress 
        of the President's annual budget request in each year''; and
            (2) by adding to the end the following: ``Such report also 
        shall comment on the programmatic planning document and updates 
        thereto transmitted to the Congress by the Director under 
        section 23(c) and (d).''.

SEC. 423. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

    (a) MEP Advisory Board.--Section 25 of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) MEP Advisory Board.--(1) There is established within the 
Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board (in this 
Act referred to as the `MEP Advisory Board'). The MEP Advisory Board 
shall consist of 10 members broadly representative of stakeholders, to 
be appointed by the Director. At least 2 members shall be employed by 
or on an advisory board for the Centers, and at least 5 other members 
shall be from United States small businesses in the manufacturing 
sector. No member shall be an employee of the Federal Government.
    ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) or (C), the term of 
office of each member of the MEP Advisory Board shall be 3 years.
    ``(B) The original members of the MEP Advisory Board shall be 
appointed to 3 classes. One class of 3 members shall have an initial 
term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have an initial term of 2 
years, and one class of 4 members shall have an initial term of 3 
years.
    ``(C) 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) Any person who has completed two consecutive full terms of 
service on the MEP Advisory Board shall thereafter be ineligible for 
appointment during the one-year period following the expiration of the 
second such term.
    ``(3) The MEP Advisory Board shall meet no less than 2 times 
annually, and provide to the Director--
            ``(A) advice on Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
        programs, plans, and policies;
            ``(B) assessments of the soundness of Manufacturing 
        Extension Partnership plans and strategies; and
            ``(C) assessments of current performance against 
        Manufacturing Extension Partnership program plans.
    ``(4) 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) The MEP Advisory Board shall transmit an annual report to the 
Secretary for transmittal to the Congress within 30 days after the 
submission to the Congress of the President's annual budget request in 
each year. Such report shall address the status of the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership program and comment on the relevant sections of 
the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to 
the Congress by the Director under section 23(c) and (d).''.
    (b) Acceptance of Funds.--Section 25(d) of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(d)) is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may be 
appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the Centers 
program, the Secretary and Director also may accept funds from other 
Federal departments and agencies and under section 2(c)(7) from the 
private sector for the purpose of strengthening United States 
manufacturing. Such funds, if allocated to a Center or Centers, shall 
not be considered in the calculation of the Federal share of capital 
and annual operating and maintenance costs under subsection (c).''.
    (c) Manufacturing Extension Center Competitive Grant Program.--
Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act 
(15 U.S.C. 278k), as amended by subsection (a) of this section, is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Competitive Grant Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish, within 
        the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under this 
        section and section 26 of this Act, a program of competitive 
        awards among participants described in paragraph (2) for the 
        purposes described in paragraph (3).
            ``(2) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under 
        this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such 
        Centers.
            ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
        subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging 
        manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in 
        consultation with the Director of the Manufacturing Extension 
        Partnership program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
        Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized manufacturers. One 
        or more themes for the competition may be identified, which may 
        vary from year to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers 
        and the success of previous competitions. These themes shall be 
        related to projects associated with manufacturing extension 
        activities, including supply chain integration and quality 
        management, and including the transfer of technology based on 
        the technological needs of manufacturers and available 
        technologies from institutions of higher education, 
        laboratories, and other technology producing entities, or 
        extend beyond these traditional areas.
            ``(4) Applications.--Applications for awards under this 
        subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and 
        containing such information as the Director shall require, in 
        consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
        Advisory Board.
            ``(5) Selection.--Awards under this subsection shall be 
        peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall 
        select proposals to receive awards--
                    ``(A) that utilize innovative or collaborative 
                approaches to solving the problem described in the 
                competition;
                    ``(B) that will improve the competitiveness of 
                industries in the region in which the Center or Centers 
                are located; and
                    ``(C) that will contribute to the long-term 
                economic stability of that region.
            ``(6) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards under 
        this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching 
        contribution.''.

SEC. 424. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PROGRAM.

    Section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended to read as follows:

                    ``technology innovation program

    ``Sec. 28.  (a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
Institute a Technology Innovation Program for the purpose of assisting 
United States businesses and institutions of higher education or other 
organizations, such as national laboratories and nonprofit research 
institutes, to accelerate the research and development and application 
of challenging, high-risk, high-reward technologies in areas of 
critical national need that promise widespread economic benefits for 
the Nation.
    ``(b) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall make grants under 
        this section for research and development on high-risk, high-
        reward emerging and enabling technologies (including any 
        technological application that uses biological systems, living 
        organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products 
        or processes for specific use) that address critical national 
        needs and have a wide breadth of potential application, and 
        form an important technical basis for future innovations. Such 
        grants shall be made to--
                    ``(A) eligible companies that are small- or medium-
                sized businesses that are substantially involved in the 
                research and development, including having a leadership 
                role in programmatically steering the project and 
                defining the research agenda; or
                    ``(B) joint ventures.
            ``(2) Single company grants.--No grant made under paragraph 
        (1)(A) shall exceed $3,000,000 over 3 years. The Federal share 
        of a project funded by such a grant shall not be more than 50 
        percent of total project costs. An award under paragraph (1)(A) 
        may be extended beyond 3 years only if the Director transmits 
        to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate a full and complete explanation of 
        such award, including reasons for exceeding 3 years. Federal 
        funds granted under paragraph (1)(A) may be used only for 
        direct costs and not for indirect costs, profits, or management 
        fees of a contractor.
            ``(3) Joint venture grants.--No grant made under paragraph 
        (1)(B) shall exceed $9,000,000 over 5 years. The Federal share 
        of a project funded by such a grant shall not be more than 50 
        percent of total project costs.
    ``(c) Award Criteria.--The Director shall award grants under this 
section only to an eligible company--
            ``(1) whose proposal has scientific and technological 
        merit;
            ``(2) whose application establishes that the proposed 
        technology has strong potential to generate substantial 
        benefits to the Nation that extend significantly beyond the 
        direct return to the applicant;
            ``(3) whose application establishes that the research has 
        strong potential for advancing the state-of-the-art and 
        contributing significantly to the United States scientific and 
        technical knowledge base;
            ``(4) whose application establishes that the research is 
        aimed at overcoming a scientific or technological barrier;
            ``(5) who has provided a technical plan that clearly 
        identifies the core innovation, the technical approach, major 
        technical hurdles, and the attendant risks, and that clearly 
        establishes the feasibility of the technology through 
        adequately detailed plans linked to major technical barriers;
            ``(6) whose application establishes that the team proposed 
        to carry out the work has a high level of scientific and 
        technical expertise to conduct research and development, has a 
        high level of commitment to the project, and has access to 
        appropriate research facilities;
            ``(7) whose proposal explains why Technology Innovation 
        Program support is necessary;
            ``(8) whose application includes a plan for advancing the 
        technology into commercial use; and
            ``(9) whose application assesses the project's 
        organizational structure and management plan.
    ``(d) External Review of Proposals.--In order to analyze the need 
for or the value of any proposal made by a joint venture or company 
requesting the Director's assistance under this section, or to monitor 
the progress of any project which receives funds under this section, 
the Director shall consult with industry or other expert sources that 
do not have a proprietary or financial interest in the proposal or 
project.
    ``(e) Intellectual Property Rights Ownership.--
            ``(1) In general.--Title to any intellectual property 
        developed by a joint venture from assistance provided under 
        this section may vest in any participant in the joint venture, 
        as agreed by the members of the joint venture, notwithstanding 
        section 202(a) and (b) of title 35, United States Code. The 
        United States may reserve a nonexclusive, nontransferable, 
        irrevocable paid-up license, to have practiced for or on behalf 
        of the United States in connection with any such intellectual 
        property, but shall not in the exercise of such license 
        publicly disclose proprietary information related to the 
        license. Title to any such intellectual property shall not be 
        transferred or passed, except to a participant in the joint 
        venture, until the expiration of the first patent obtained in 
        connection with such intellectual property.
            ``(2) Licensing.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to prohibit the licensing to any company of 
        intellectual property rights arising from assistance provided 
        under this section.
            ``(3) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `intellectual property' means an invention patentable 
        under title 35, United States Code, or any patent on such an 
        invention, or any work for which copyright protection is 
        available under title 17, United States Code.
    ``(f) Program Operation.--Not later than 9 months after the date of 
enactment of the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation 
Act of 2007, the Director shall issue regulations--
            ``(1) establishing criteria for the selection of recipients 
        of assistance under this section;
            ``(2) establishing procedures regarding financial reporting 
        and auditing to ensure that contracts and awards are used for 
        the purposes specified in this section, are in accordance with 
        sound accounting practices, and are not funding existing or 
        planned research programs that would be conducted in the same 
        time period in the absence of financial assistance under this 
        section; and
            ``(3) providing for appropriate dissemination of Technology 
        Innovation Program research results.
    ``(g) Continuation of ATP Grants.--The Director shall, through the 
Technology Innovation Program, continue to provide support originally 
awarded under the Advanced Technology Program, in accordance with the 
terms of the original award.
    ``(h) Coordination With Other State and Federal Technology 
Programs.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall, as 
appropriate, coordinate with other senior State and Federal officials 
to ensure cooperation and coordination in State and Federal technology 
programs and to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts.
    ``(i) Acceptance of Funds From Other Federal Agencies.--In addition 
to amounts appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary and 
the Director may accept funds from other Federal agencies to support 
awards under the Technology Innovation Program. Any award under this 
section which is supported with funds from other Federal agencies shall 
be selected and carried out according to the provisions of this 
section.
    ``(j) TIP Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
        Institute a Technology Innovation Program Advisory Board. The 
        TIP Advisory Board shall consist of 10 members appointed by the 
        Director, at least 7 of which shall be from United States 
        industry, chosen to reflect the wide diversity of technical 
        disciplines and industrial sectors represented in Technology 
        Innovation Program projects. No member shall be an employee of 
        the Federal Government.
            ``(2) Terms of office.--(A) Except as provided in 
        subparagraph (B) or (C), the term of office of each member of 
        the TIP Advisory Board shall be 3 years.
            ``(B) The original members of the TIP Advisory Board shall 
        be appointed to 3 classes. One class of 3 members shall have an 
        initial term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have an 
        initial term of 2 years, and one class of 4 members shall have 
        an initial term of 3 years.
            ``(C) 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) Any person who has completed two consecutive full 
        terms of service on the TIP Advisory Board shall thereafter be 
        ineligible for appointment during the one-year period following 
        the expiration of the second such term.
            ``(3) Purpose.--The TIP Advisory Board shall meet no less 
        than 2 times annually, and provide to the Director--
                    ``(A) advice on programs, plans, and policies of 
                the Technology Innovation Program;
                    ``(B) reviews of the Technology Innovation 
                Program's efforts to assess its economic impact;
                    ``(C) reports on the general health of the program 
                and its effectiveness in achieving its legislatively 
                mandated mission;
                    ``(D) guidance on areas of technology that are 
                appropriate for Technology Innovation Program funding; 
                and
                    ``(E) recommendations as to whether, in order to 
                better assess whether specific innovations to be 
                pursued are being adequately supported by the private 
                sector, the Director could benefit from advice and 
                information from additional industry and other expert 
                sources without a proprietary or financial interest in 
                proposals being evaluated.
            ``(4) Advisory capacity.--In discharging its duties under 
        this subsection, the TIP Advisory Board shall function solely 
        in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal 
        Advisory Committee Act.
            ``(5) Annual report.--The TIP Advisory Board shall transmit 
        an annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to the 
        Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the 
        President's annual budget request in each year. Such report 
        shall address the status of the Technology Innovation Program 
        and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic 
        planning document and updates thereto transmitted to the 
        Congress by the Director under section 23(c) and (d).
    ``(k) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) the term `eligible company' means a company that is 
        incorporated in the United States and does a majority of its 
        business in the United States, and that either--
                    ``(A) is majority owned by citizens of the United 
                States; or
                    ``(B) is owned by a parent company incorporated in 
                another country and the Director finds that--
                            ``(i) the company's participation in the 
                        Technology Innovation Program would be in the 
                        economic interest of the United States, as 
                        evidenced by--
                                    ``(I) investments in the United 
                                States in research and manufacturing 
                                (including the manufacture of major 
                                components or subassemblies in the 
                                United States);
                                    ``(II) significant contributions to 
                                employment in the United States; and
                                    ``(III) agreement with respect to 
                                any technology arising from assistance 
                                provided under this section to promote 
                                the manufacture within the United 
                                States of products resulting from that 
                                technology (taking into account the 
                                goals of promoting the competitiveness 
                                of United States industry); and
                            ``(ii) the company is incorporated in a 
                        country which--
                                    ``(I) affords to United States-
                                owned companies opportunities, 
                                comparable to those afforded to any 
                                other company, to participate in any 
                                joint venture similar to those 
                                receiving funding under this section;
                                    ``(II) affords to United States-
                                owned companies local investment 
                                opportunities comparable to those 
                                afforded any other company; and
                                    ``(III) affords adequate and 
                                effective protection for the 
                                intellectual property rights of United 
                                States-owned companies;
            ``(2) the term `high-risk, high-reward research' means 
        research that--
                    ``(A) has the potential for yielding results with 
                far-ranging or wide-ranging implications;
                    ``(B) addresses critical national needs related to 
                technology and measurement standards; and
                    ``(C) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of 
                disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review 
                process.
            ``(3) the term `institution of higher education' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
            ``(4) the term `joint venture' means a joint venture that--
                    ``(A) includes either--
                            ``(i) at least 2 separately owned for-
                        profit companies that are both substantially 
                        involved in the project and both of which are 
                        contributing to the cost-sharing required under 
                        this section, with the lead entity of the joint 
                        venture being one of those companies that is a 
                        small or medium-sized business; or
                            ``(ii) at least one small or medium-sized 
                        business and one institution of higher 
                        education or other organization, such as a 
                        national laboratory or nonprofit research 
                        institute, that are both substantially involved 
                        in the project and both of which are 
                        contributing to the cost-sharing required under 
                        this section, with the lead entity of the joint 
                        venture being either that small or medium-sized 
                        business or that institution of higher 
                        education; and
                    ``(B) may include additional for-profit companies, 
                institutions of higher education, and other 
                organizations, such as national laboratories and 
                nonprofit research institutes, that may or may not 
                contribute non-Federal funds to the project; and
            ``(5) the term `TIP Advisory Board' means the advisory 
        board established under subsection (j).''.

SEC. 425. RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS.

    Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-l) is amended by striking ``up to 1 per centum of 
the'' and inserting ``up to 1.5 percent of the''.

SEC. 426. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT GRANTS.

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the first section 32 (15 U.S.C. 271 
        note) as section 34 and moving it to the end of the Act; and
            (2) by inserting before the section moved by paragraph (1) 
        the following new section:

``SEC. 33. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT GRANTS.

    ``(a) Authority.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a pilot 
        program of awards to partnerships among participants described 
        in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in paragraph (3). 
        Awards shall be made on a peer-reviewed, competitive basis.
            ``(2) Participants.--Such partnerships shall include at 
        least--
                    ``(A) 1 manufacturing industry partner; and
                    ``(B) 1 nonindustry partner.
            ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
        section is to foster cost-shared collaborations among firms, 
        educational institutions, research institutions, State 
        agencies, and nonprofit organizations to encourage the 
        development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing 
        technologies. Partnerships receiving awards under this section 
        shall conduct applied research to develop new manufacturing 
        processes, techniques, or materials that would contribute to 
        improved performance, productivity, and competitiveness of 
        United States manufacturing, and build lasting alliances among 
        collaborators.
    ``(b) Program Contribution.--Awards under this section shall 
provide for not more than one-third of the costs of a partnership. Not 
more than an additional one-third of such costs may be obtained 
directly or indirectly from other Federal sources.
    ``(c) 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. Such applications shall 
describe at a minimum--
            ``(1) how each partner will participate in developing and 
        carrying out the research agenda of the partnership;
            ``(2) the research that the grant would fund; and
            ``(3) how the research to be funded with the award would 
        contribute to improved performance, productivity, and 
        competitiveness of the United States manufacturing industry.
    ``(d) Selection Criteria.--In selecting applications for awards 
under this section, the Director shall consider at a minimum--
            ``(1) the degree to which projects will have a broad impact 
        on manufacturing;
            ``(2) the novelty and scientific and technical merit of the 
        proposed projects; and
            ``(3) the demonstrated capabilities of the applicants to 
        successfully carry out the proposed research.
    ``(e) Distribution.--In selecting applications under this section 
the Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, a distribution of 
overall awards among a variety of manufacturing industry sectors and a 
range of firm sizes.
    ``(f) Duration.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall 
run a single pilot competition to solicit and make awards. Each award 
shall be for a 3-year period.''.

SEC. 427. MANUFACTURING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The 
        Director is authorized''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Manufacturing Fellowship Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--To promote the development of a 
        robust research community working at the leading edge of 
        manufacturing sciences, the Director shall establish a program 
        to award--
                    ``(A) postdoctoral research fellowships at the 
                Institute for research activities related to 
                manufacturing sciences; and
                    ``(B) senior research fellowships to established 
                researchers in industry or at institutions of higher 
                education who wish to pursue studies related to the 
                manufacturing sciences at the Institute.
            ``(2) Applications.--To be eligible for an award under this 
        subsection, an individual shall submit an application to the 
        Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Director may require.
            ``(3) Stipend levels.--Under this subsection, the Director 
        shall provide stipends for postdoctoral research fellowships at 
        a level consistent with the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, and senior 
        research fellowships at levels consistent with support for a 
        faculty member in a sabbatical position.''.

SEC. 428. MEETINGS OF VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

    Section 10(d) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278(d)) is amended by striking ``quarterly'' and 
inserting ``twice each year''.

SEC. 429. MANUFACTURING RESEARCH DATABASE.

    (a) Establishment.--The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology shall provide for the establishment of a manufacturing 
research database to enable private sector individuals and Federal 
officials to access a broad range of information on manufacturing 
research carried out with funding support from the Federal Government.
    (b) Contents.--The database established under subsection (a) shall 
contain--
            (1) all publicly available information maintained by a 
        Federal agency relating to manufacturing research projects 
        funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government; and
            (2) information about all Federal programs that may be of 
        interest to manufacturers.
    (c) Accessibility.--Information contained in the database shall be 
accessible in a manner to enable users of the database to easily 
retrieve information of specific interest to them.
    (d) Fees.--The National Institute of Standards and Technology may 
authorize charging a nominal fee for using the database to access 
information described in subsection (b)(1) as necessary to recover the 
costs of maintaining the database.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
$2,000,000 for carrying out this section.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

SEC. 441. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS.

    Section 19 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-2) is amended by striking ``nor more than 60 new 
fellows'' and inserting ``nor more than 120 new fellows''.

SEC. 442. FINANCIAL AGREEMENTS CLARIFICATION.

    Section 2(b)(4) of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(4)) is amended by inserting ``and 
grants and cooperative agreements,'' after ``arrangements,''.

SEC. 443. WORKING CAPITAL FUND TRANSFERS.

    Section 12 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278b) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Amount and Source of Transfers.--Not more than one-quarter of 
one percent of the amounts appropriated to the Institute for any fiscal 
year may be transferred to the fund, in addition to any other transfer 
authority. In addition, funds provided to the Institute from other 
Federal agencies for the purpose of production of Standard Reference 
Materials may be transferred to the fund.''.

SEC. 444. RETENTION OF DEPRECIATION SURCHARGE.

    Section 14 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278d) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Within''; 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Retention of Fees.--The Director is authorized to retain all 
building use and depreciation surcharge fees collected pursuant to OMB 
Circular A-25. Such fees shall be collected and credited to the 
Construction of Research Facilities Appropriation Account for use in 
maintenance and repair of the Institute's existing facilities.''.

SEC. 445. NON-ENERGY INVENTIONS PROGRAM.

    Section 27 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278m) is repealed.

SEC. 446. REDEFINITION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM.

    Section 3570 of the Revised Statues of the United States (derived 
from section 2 of the Act of July 28, 1866, entitled ``An Act to 
authorize the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures'' (15 
U.S.C. 205; 14 Stat. 339)) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 3570. METRIC SYSTEM DEFINED.

    ``The metric system of measurement shall be defined as the 
International System of Units as established in 1960, and subsequently 
maintained, by the General Conference of Weights and Measures, and as 
interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of 
Commerce.''.

SEC. 447. REPEAL OF REDUNDANT AND OBSOLETE AUTHORITY.

    The Act of July 21, 1950, entitled ``An Act To redefine the units 
and establish the standards of electrical and photometric 
measurements'' (15 U.S.C. 223 and 224) is repealed.

SEC. 448. CLARIFICATION OF STANDARD TIME AND TIME ZONES.

    (a) Section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known as the 
``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 261) is amended--
            (1) by striking the second sentence and the extra period 
        after it and inserting ``Except as provided in section 3(a) of 
        the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a), the standard 
        time of the first zone shall be Coordinated Universal Time 
        retarded by 4 hours; that of the second zone retarded by 5 
        hours; that of the third zone retarded by 6 hours; that of the 
        four zone retarded by 7 hours; that of the fifth zone retarded 
        by 8 hours; that of the sixth zone retarded by 9 hours; that of 
        the seventh zone retarded by 10 hours; that of the eighth zone 
        retarded by 11 hours; and that of the ninth zone shall be 
        Coordinated Universal Time advanced by 10 hours.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following: ``In this section, 
        the term `Coordinated Universal Time' means the time scale 
        maintained through the General Conference of Weights and 
        Measures and interpreted or modified for the United States by 
        the Secretary of Commerce in coordination with the Secretary of 
        the Navy.''.
    (b) Section 3 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known as the 
``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 264) is amended by striking ``third zone'' 
and inserting ``fourth zone''.

SEC. 449. PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology may procure the temporary or intermittent 
services of experts or consultants (or organizations thereof) in 
accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code to 
assist on urgent or short-term research projects.
    (b) Extent of Authority.--A procurement under this section may not 
exceed 1 year in duration, and the Director shall procure no more than 
200 experts and consultants per year.
    (c) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective after 
September 30, 2010.
    (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall report to the 
Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
whether additional safeguards would be needed with respect to the use 
of authorities granted under this section if such authorities were to 
be made permanent.

SEC. 450. MALCOLM BALDRIGE AWARDS.

    Section 17(c)(3) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(3) In any year, not more than 18 awards may be made under this 
section to recipients who have not previously received an award under 
this section, and no award shall be made within any category described 
in paragraph (1) if there are no qualifying enterprises in that 
category.''.

                  TITLE V--HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING

SEC. 501. HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5511 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in the title heading, by striking ``AND THE NATIONAL 
        RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK'' and inserting ``RESEARCH AND 
        DEVELOPMENT'';
            (2) in section 101(a)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
                paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(A) provide for long-term basic and applied research on 
        high-performance computing;
            ``(B) provide for research and development on, and 
        demonstration of, technologies to advance the capacity and 
        capabilities of high-performance computing and networking 
        systems;
            ``(C) provide for sustained access by the research 
        community in the United States to high-performance computing 
        systems that are among the most advanced in the world in terms 
        of performance in solving scientific and engineering problems, 
        including provision for technical support for users of such 
        systems;
            ``(D) provide for efforts to increase software 
        availability, productivity, capability, security, portability, 
        and reliability;
            ``(E) provide for high-performance networks, including 
        experimental testbed networks, to enable research and 
        development on, and demonstration of, advanced applications 
        enabled by such networks;
            ``(F) provide for computational science and engineering 
        research on mathematical modeling and algorithms for 
        applications in all fields of science and engineering;
            ``(G) provide for the technical support of, and research 
        and development on, high-performance computing systems and 
        software required to address Grand Challenges;
            ``(H) provide for educating and training additional 
        undergraduate and graduate students in software engineering, 
        computer science, computer and network security, applied 
        mathematics, library and information science, and computational 
        science; and
            ``(I) provide for improving the security of computing and 
        networking systems, including Federal systems, including 
        research required to establish security standards and practices 
        for these systems.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating 
                paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), 
                respectively;
                    (C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B) of this paragraph--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (B);
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
                        (C) as subparagraphs (D) and (F), respectively;
                            (iii) by inserting before subparagraph (D), 
                        as so redesignated by clause (ii) of this 
                        subparagraph, the following new subparagraphs:
            ``(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal high-
        performance computing research, development, networking, and 
        other activities;
            ``(B) establish Program Component Areas that implement the 
        goals established under subparagraph (A), and identify the 
        Grand Challenges that the Program should address;
            ``(C) provide for interagency coordination of Federal high-
        performance computing research, development, networking, and 
        other activities undertaken pursuant to the Program;''; and
                            (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (D), 
                        as so redesignated by clause (ii) of this 
                        subparagraph, the following new subparagraph:
            ``(E) develop and maintain a research, development, and 
        deployment roadmap for the provision of high-performance 
        computing systems under paragraph (1)(C); and''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B) of this paragraph--
                            (i) by striking ``paragraph (3)(A)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (2)(D)'';
                            (ii) by amending subparagraph (A) to read 
                        as follows:
            ``(A) provide a detailed description of the Program 
        Component Areas, including a description of any changes in the 
        definition of or activities under the Program Component Areas 
        from the preceding report, and the reasons for such changes, 
        and a description of Grand Challenges supported under the 
        Program;'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``specific activities'' and all that follows 
                        through ``the Network'' and inserting ``each 
                        Program Component Area'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (D), by inserting 
                        ``and for each Program Component Area'' after 
                        ``participating in the Program'';
                            (v) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                        ``applies;'' and inserting ``applies; and'';
                            (vi) by striking subparagraph (E) and 
                        redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph 
                        (E); and
                            (vii) in subparagraph (E), as so 
                        redesignated by clause (vi) of this 
                        subparagraph, by inserting ``and the extent to 
                        which the Program incorporates the 
                        recommendations of the advisory committee 
                        established under subsection (b)'' after ``for 
                        the Program'';
            (3) by striking subsection (b) of section 101 and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(b) Advisory Committee.--(1) The President shall establish an 
advisory committee on high-performance computing consisting of non-
Federal members, including representatives of the research, education, 
and library communities, network providers, and industry, who are 
specially qualified to provide the Director with advice and information 
on high-performance computing. The recommendations of the advisory 
committee shall be considered in reviewing and revising the Program. 
The advisory committee shall provide the Director with an independent 
assessment of--
            ``(A) progress made in implementing the Program;
            ``(B) the need to revise the Program;
            ``(C) the balance between the components of the Program, 
        including funding levels for the Program Component Areas;
            ``(D) whether the research and development undertaken 
        pursuant to the Program is helping to maintain United States 
        leadership in high-performance computing and networking 
        technology; and
            ``(E) other issues identified by the Director.
    ``(2) In addition to the duties outlined in paragraph (1), the 
advisory committee shall conduct periodic evaluations of the funding, 
management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the 
Program, and shall report not less frequently than once every two 
fiscal years to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on its findings and recommendations. The 
first report shall be due within one year after the date of enactment 
of this paragraph.
    ``(3) Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not 
apply to the advisory committee established by this subsection.''; and
            (4) in section 101(c)(1)(A), by striking ``Program or'' and 
        inserting ``Program Component Areas or''.

SEC. 502. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 
5503) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and multidisciplinary 
        teams of researchers'' after ``high-performance computing 
        resources'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``scientific workstations,'';
                    (B) by striking ``(including vector supercomputers 
                and large scale parallel systems)'';
                    (C) by striking ``and applications'' and inserting 
                ``applications''; and
                    (D) by inserting ``, and the management of large 
                data sets'' after ``systems software'';
            (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``packet switched'';
            (4) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
            (5) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) `Program Component Areas' means the major subject 
        areas under which are grouped related individual projects and 
        activities carried out under the Program.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2007.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
110th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2272

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

   To invest in innovation through research and development, and to 
           improve the competitiveness of the United States.