[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 363 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
                                H. R. 363


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 25, 2007

     Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To authorize programs for support of the early career development of 
   science and engineering researchers, and for support of graduate 
                  fellowships, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

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

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

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall carry out a program to award grants to scientists and engineers 
at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education 
and organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in 
fields relevant to the mission of the Foundation. The existing Faculty 
Early Career Development (CAREER) Program may be designated as the 
mechanism for awarding such grants.
    (b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this 
section shall be 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at least 
$80,000.
    (c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are 
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or 
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
            (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
        States; or
            (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
        nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
        museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
    (d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a 
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
    (e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant 
seeking funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the 
Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Director may require. In evaluating the proposals submitted 
under this section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
            (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
            (2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed 
        research;
            (3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research 
        and education, including undergraduate education in science and 
        engineering disciplines; and
            (4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 
        frontiers of knowledge.
    (f) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director 
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of 
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director 
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for 
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B 
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in 
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). 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. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND 
              ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science of the 
Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants to 
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at 
institutions of higher education and organizations described in 
subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission 
of the Department, 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. 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.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
section--
            (1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            (3) $61,800,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            (4) $63,600,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
            (5) $65,500,000 for fiscal year 2013.

            Passed the House of Representatives April 24, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.