[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6303 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6303

To establish the Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, 
                 and Diplomacy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 2, 2012

   Mr. Carnahan (for himself, Mr. Moran, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Lipinski) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
 Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, 
   and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish the Global Science Program for Security, Competitiveness, 
                 and Diplomacy, 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 ``Global Science Program for Security, 
Competitiveness, and Diplomacy Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) International scientific collaboration promotes the 
        national security and economic competitiveness of the United 
        States. It is therefore a key foreign policy priority of 
        Congress to support such collaboration.
            (2) During the Cold War, scientific collaboration bolstered 
        relationships with United States allies and provided helpful 
        engagement with adversaries.
            (3) International scientific collaboration today helps the 
        United States find technical solutions to key global 
        challenges, promotes economic development at home and abroad, 
        improves bilateral relationships, leverages the capabilities of 
        foreign scientists and engineers, creates technology that 
        improves quality of life, promotes United States values, 
        catalyzes domestic and international job creation, creates 
        international markets for United States goods and services, and 
        enhances the reputation of the United States in the world.
            (4) Forging international networks with the best 
        individuals and institutions abroad is essential to advancing 
        long-term United States economic interests. Enhancing 
        international technology-based entrepreneurship cultivates 
        greater prosperity for the United States by bringing the most 
        promising international technologies to the attention of the 
        United States business community, empowers entrepreneurs abroad 
        to apply technology that solves local and global problems, and 
        addresses economic conditions that give rise to global 
        political and economic instability.
            (5) Simultaneously, it is of the highest priority for 
        United States national security to ensure that scientists who 
        have been engaged in weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related 
        research and engineering are encouraged and supported, in 
        partnership with foreign governments, to engage in productive 
        civil initiatives. This collaboration and other international 
        scientific partnerships can be applied directly to solving 
        pressing problems of global security, including global 
        pandemics and climate change.
            (6) Ensuring long-term stability and prosperity in 
        countries vulnerable to terrorist influence requires promoting 
        effective economic development and building the capacity of 
        foreign partners to address conditions that give rise to 
        terrorism. International scientific collaboration provides a 
        means to advance these objectives.
            (7) In an era where international skepticism about United 
        States foreign policy abounds, civil society--including 
        scientists and engineers--plays a critical role in advancing 
        the foreign policy interests of the United States via 
        engagement with their counterparts abroad. Among foreign 
        scientists and engineers, the United States remains the most 
        attractive destination in the world for graduate education, 
        starting a technology-based business, and career-long 
        collaboration.
            (8) Engaging women in the scientific enterprise is 
        beneficial to the well-being of women and girls, as well as to 
        global stability and prosperity. Improving access to education 
        and science opportunities for women and girls advances their 
        economic viability, along with that of their families and 
        broader communities. Moreover, the scientific field thrives on 
        exchanges of a broad range of ideas. Including female voices, 
        and those of all minorities, in scientific dialogue leads to 
        more significant discoveries and creative solutions to local 
        and global challenges.
            (9) There are a range of activities, such as collaborative 
        research and exchange programs, best suited to non-government 
        organizations, where independence from the United States 
        Government provides greater flexibility, agility, and, in some 
        cases, credibility, with foreign scientists.
            (10) United States scientists, engineers, and innovators 
        are an underutilized asset in efforts to advance United States 
        diplomatic objectives; facilitating contact between such 
        individuals and foreign populations of interest will advance 
        overall United States foreign policy objectives.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible country.--The term ``eligible country'' 
        means--
                    (A) a country classified by the World Bank as 
                either lower-middle-income or low-income economies;
                    (B) a country located in the Middle East;
                    (C) a country with a majority population of 
                Muslims;
                    (D) a country located in sub-Saharan Africa;
                    (E) a country visited by a scientific envoy under 
                section 11; or
                    (F) any other country as determined by the 
                Secretary of State.
            (2) Organization.--The term ``organization'' means an 
        educational institution, corporation, partnership, firm, or 
        entity exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and described in section 
        501(c)(3) of such Code.

SEC. 4. GLOBAL SCIENCE PROGRAM FOR SECURITY, COMPETITIVENESS, AND 
              DIPLOMACY.

    (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
establish a program to be known as the ``Global Science Program for 
Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy'' (referred to in this section 
and sections 5, 6, and 7 as the ``Program'') in accordance with this 
section and sections 5 and 6.
    (b) Activities Supported.--The Program is authorized to carry out, 
through the provision of grants, the following activities:
            (1) Collaborative research.--
                    (A) In general.--Establish global, regional, or 
                country-specific research competitions that will 
                undertake the following:
                            (i) Address global challenges such as ocean 
                        acidification, nonproliferation, multiple drug 
                        resistant diseases, water-borne diseases, 
                        development of sustainable renewable energy 
                        resources, sanitation, food shortage, and water 
                        resources.
                            (ii) Engage former WMD scientists to assist 
                        in their transition to peaceful, civilian 
                        research.
                            (iii) Provide incentives for United States 
                        businesses to undertake programs employing such 
                        scientists for peaceful purposes.
                            (iv) Foster stronger partnerships and 
                        relations between United States and foreign 
                        universities in science and technology.
                    (B) Activities.--Such global research competitions 
                are authorized to include--
                            (i) grants for not more than five years of 
                        collaborative research and development projects 
                        between United States scientists and engineers 
                        and scientists and engineers from eligible 
                        countries; and
                            (ii) grants to enhance existing United 
                        States-based research programs by adding an 
                        international partner from an eligible country.
            (2) Institutional capacity building.--
                    (A) Goals.--The goals of such grants shall be to--
                            (i) strengthen the research infrastructure 
                        and science and engineering curricula of 
                        institutes of higher learning in eligible 
                        countries;
                            (ii) engage foreign students early in their 
                        careers with United States scientists and 
                        engineers in order to bring such students into 
                        the global sphere of science and foster 
                        critical thinking; and
                            (iii) encourage and expand exchanges 
                        between students and faculty from eligible 
                        countries and students and faculty from the 
                        United States.
                    (B) Restrictions.--The following restrictions shall 
                apply to the Program:
                            (i) Funds may not be used for construction 
                        of facilities.
                            (ii) No eligible country may receive more 
                        than 35 percent of the funds authorized to be 
                        appropriated for the Program for any fiscal 
                        year.
                    (C) Activities.--Such grants may include--
                            (i) establishing research and education 
                        centers at institutes of higher learning in 
                        eligible countries to carry out the purposes of 
                        this Act; and
                            (ii) providing equipment, training, and 
                        professional skills development.
            (3) Nonproliferation of wmd programs.--
                    (A) In general.--Conduct research and training 
                programs that--
                            (i) engage scientists and engineers who 
                        might otherwise be exploited to participate in 
                        illicit nuclear programs;
                            (ii) help prevent nuclear and WMD 
                        proliferation;
                            (iii) encourage foreign scientists and 
                        engineers, in collaboration with United States 
                        partners, to develop technologies and methods 
                        to combat WMD terrorism; or
                            (iv) provide training in safe laboratory 
                        practices and conditions for civilian 
                        researchers working with potentially dangerous 
                        pathogens and chemicals to ensure that such 
                        pathogens and chemicals do not fall into the 
                        hands of terrorists or rogue states, that such 
                        practices are fostering safe working conditions 
                        for civilian researchers, and that the 
                        potential is strictly minimized for accidental 
                        release into local populations of such 
                        pathogens and chemicals.
                    (B) Activities.--Such research and training 
                programs may include--
                            (i) collaborative research competitions 
                        that would provide research grants to foreign 
                        scientists and engineers with WMD experience or 
                        who could be targeted to participate in a WMD 
                        or nuclear weapons program, and United States 
                        scientists and engineers;
                            (ii) research and training programs for 
                        personnel of eligible countries who will be 
                        implementing nuclear cooperation agreements 
                        with the United States or otherwise 
                        participating in nuclear programs; and
                            (iii) training programs in safe laboratory 
                        practices and conditions for civilian 
                        researchers working with potentially dangerous 
                        pathogens and chemicals.
            (4) Global virtual science library.--To make grants to 
        organizations that provide online access at little or no cost 
        for scientists and engineers in eligible countries to worldwide 
        science journals.
    (c) Certain Requirements.--Grants awarded pursuant to subsection 
(b) (except for grants awarded pursuant to paragraph (3) of such 
subsection) shall be competitive, peer-reviewed, and merit-based.
    (d) Additional Funding.--In applying for a grant, an organization 
shall demonstrate how it will seek, to the maximum extent possible, 
additional funding from partner organizations, foreign governments, 
private businesses, and other entities, ideally to the level of a full 
match.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Policy.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
        promulgate guidelines for review of grant applications to the 
        Program.
            (2) Requirements.--Guidelines promulgated under this 
        subsection shall address, at a minimum, the following:
                    (A) Criteria by which grants shall be selected, 
                including a description of diplomatic objectives of the 
                Program.
                    (B) Policies to ensure that grants are in 
                furtherance of United States diplomatic objectives.
                    (C) The countries and regions to participate in the 
                Program.
    (b) Implementation.--
            (1) Secretary of state.--The Secretary of State is 
        authorized to--
                    (A) subject to the guidelines promulgated pursuant 
                to subsection (a) and based on the recommendations 
                forwarded to the Secretary of State by the Director of 
                the National Science Foundation pursuant to paragraph 
                (2)(C), make final determinations on the award of 
                grants;
                    (B) administer grants on behalf of the Program to 
                foreign organizations collaborating with organizations 
                domiciled in the United States in accordance with the 
                terms of this Act;
                    (C) coordinate with the Director of the Office of 
                Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the 
                National Science Foundation to administer and implement 
                the Program, in accordance with the guidelines 
                promulgated pursuant to subsection (a); and
                    (D) develop, review, make final determinations, 
                award, and administer grants for Program activities to 
                carry out section 4(b)(3), which may be implemented 
                through existing resources, mechanisms, and awards of 
                the Department of State's Global Threat Reduction 
                Program.
            (2) Director of national science foundation.--The Director 
        of the National Science Foundation, in accordance with the 
        memorandum of understanding required under subsection (c), is 
        authorized to perform the following activities for the Program 
        (except for activities to carry out section 4(b)(3)):
                    (A) Develop and issue solicitations for projects 
                described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of section 
                4(b), or coordinate with other Federal science agencies 
                to develop and issue such solicitations, as 
                appropriate.
                    (B) Establish peer review panels comprised of 
                individuals with demonstrated experience in relevant 
                fields to--
                            (i) review, based on scientific merit, 
                        proposals for grants; and
                            (ii) provide recommendations regarding 
                        evaluation of such proposals.
                    (C) Make recommendations to the Secretary of State 
                for grants based on the peer review recommendations.
                    (D) Administer grants on behalf of the Program to 
                organizations domiciled in the United States that are 
                collaborating with foreign organizations in accordance 
                with the terms of this Act.
    (c) Agreement Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall enter into a 
memorandum of understanding with the Director of the National Science 
Foundation to coordinate activities carried out pursuant to this Act.
    (d) Acceptance of Funds From Outside Sources.--The Program may 
accept funds from outside sources, including foreign governments, 
nongovernmental organizations, and private business entities.
    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to 
make any grant recipient an agent or establishment of the United States 
Government.
    (f) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than November 30 of each year, 
        the President shall transmit to Congress a report relating to 
        the Program for the preceding fiscal year.
            (2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following information:
                    (A) A report on operations, activities, and 
                accomplishments under the Program, including, if 
                appropriate, a classified annex.
                    (B) All expenditures of funds from the Program.
                    (C) A report on metrics used to gauge success of 
                the Program.
    (g) Assistance Otherwise Prohibited by Law.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State may not use the 
        authorities provided in this Act to provide any type of 
        assistance, make any grants, or carry out any activities 
        described in section 4 that are otherwise prohibited by any 
        provision of law.
            (2) Activities relating to china.--Any activity undertaken 
        pursuant to this section with the Government of China or a 
        nongovernmental entity in China may not involve a transfer of 
        items on the United States Munitions List (established by the 
        President under section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act 
        (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)) or Commerce Control List (maintained 
        under part 774 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations).

SEC. 6. FUNDING.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out sections 4 and 5.
    (b) Additional Authorities.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the 
authorization for appropriations under subsection (a)--
            (1) may be referred to as the ``Global Science Program for 
        Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy''; and
            (2) may remain available until expended.
    (c) Transfer Authority.--The Secretary of State may transfer funds 
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this section to other Federal 
agencies, including the National Science Foundation, for the purposes 
of administering the Program. The Director of the National Science 
Foundation (NSF) may transfer funds transferred to the NSF, as 
appropriate, to other Federal science agencies for the purpose of 
implementing the Program.
    (d) Prohibition.--None of the funds authorized to be appropriated 
for the Program may be used for a Congressional earmark as defined in 
clause 9(d) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 7. ADVISORY PANEL ON INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) an advisory panel will assist the Secretary of State in 
        maximizing the impact of the Program, including forging links 
        between the global science and business community and United 
        States scientists; and
            (2) individuals with international business and science 
        expertise who are not employees of the United States Government 
        could bring invaluable perspectives to the Program.
    (b) Panel Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State may establish a 
        panel to be known as the ``Advisory Panel on International 
        Scientific Cooperation'' to facilitate implementation of the 
        Program.
            (2) Responsibilities.--The Advisory Panel should provide 
        advice and guidance to the Secretary of State on the policy and 
        implementation of programs and projects of the Program.
            (3) Membership.--If the Secretary of State establishes the 
        Advisory Panel, members of the Advisory Panel shall be drawn 
        from--
                    (A) individuals with experience and leadership in 
                the fields of science, international business, and 
                engineering; and
                    (B) individuals with experience and leadership in 
                nongovernmental entities, including universities, that 
                implement science research programs.
            (4) Compensation.--No member of the Advisory Panel may 
        receive compensation for services performed as a member of the 
        Panel.

SEC. 8. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Office of the Science and Technology Advisor of the 
        Department of State should be further integrated into the 
        overall activities of the Department of State, including 
        greater involvement in the activities of regional bureaus; and
            (2) science is a critical, underutilized resource for 
        United States diplomacy, and that the activities of bureaus 
        with oversight over science programs within the Department 
        should be integrated.

SEC. 9. EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) scientific fellows at the Department of State 
        critically augment the capacity of the Department and United 
        States embassies to address science and technology issues;
            (2) Federal agencies are reluctant to pay the costs of 
        scientists detailed to serve in United States embassies; and
            (3) expanding existing fellowship programs will meet the 
        Department's needs to enhance the role of science at United 
        States embassies.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
establish a program to be known as the ``Embassy Science Fellows 
Program'' to serve the following purposes:
            (1) Pay for the costs of scientists employed at Federal 
        agencies to serve in the Department of State.
            (2) Enhance the role scientists play in strengthening 
        United States diplomatic efforts.
            (3) Ensure the placement of scientists at United States 
        embassies.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts made available 
to the Diplomatic and Consular Programs account of the Department of 
State, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State 
such sums as may be necessary to implement the Program authorized to be 
established in accordance with subsection (b).
    (d) Acceptance of Funds From Additional Sources.--The Secretary of 
State may accept funds from additional sources, including foundations, 
nongovernmental organizations, private business entities, and other 
Federal agencies to implement the Program authorized to be established 
in accordance with subsection (b).

SEC. 10. JEFFERSON SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) tenured or similarly ranked academic scientists from 
        United States institutions of higher learning can provide 
        critical expertise and inform foreign policy matters at the 
        Department of State;
            (2) United States academic institutions enjoy an enhanced 
        reputation in the international scientific community;
            (3) the presence of United States scientists at the 
        Department of State and at diplomatic and consular missions 
        enhances the utility of science as tool for diplomatic 
        engagement; and
            (4) the Jefferson Science Fellows Program authorized to be 
        established pursuant to this section will provide a successful 
        model for augmenting the scientific expertise at the Department 
        of State.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
establish a program to be known as the ``Jefferson Science Fellows 
Program'' to serve the following purposes:
            (1) Provide an opportunity for tenured or similarly ranked 
        research-active scientists and engineers from the United States 
        academic community to serve in the Department of State for one 
        year.
            (2) Maintain an ongoing interactive relationship between 
        United States academic institutions and the Department of State 
        by utilizing former Jefferson Fellows as expert consultants for 
        short-term projects for at least five years following their 
        fellowship tenure.
            (3) Enhance the availability at the Department of State of 
        up-to-date scientific knowledge relevant to foreign policy and 
        international relations.
            (4) Enhance the use of science as a tool for diplomacy at 
        the Department of State.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary of State such sums as may be necessary to 
        implement the Jefferson Science Fellows Program authorized to 
        be established in accordance with subsection (b).
            (2) Use of funds.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
        use amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of 
        appropriations under paragraph (1) to make grants or enter into 
        cooperative agreements related to Department of State science 
        and technology fellowship programs, including for assistance in 
        recruiting fellows and the payment of stipends, travel, and 
        other appropriate expenses to fellows.
            (3) Not compensation.--Stipends made available under this 
        section may not be considered compensation for purposes of 
        section 209 of title 18, United States Code.
    (d) Acceptance of Funds From Outside Sources.--The Secretary of 
State may accept funds from outside sources, including foundations, 
nongovernmental organizations, and private business entities to 
implement the Jefferson Science Fellows Program authorized to be 
established in accordance with subsection (b).

SEC. 11. SCIENTIFIC ENVOYS PROGRAM.

    (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
establish a program to be known as the ``Scientific Envoys Program''. 
In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall appoint scientists and 
engineers, including Nobel Prize Laureates and renowned researchers and 
professors, to serve as envoys on behalf of the United States to--
            (1) represent the commitment of the United States to 
        promote, in collaboration with other countries, the advancement 
        of science and technology; and
            (2) facilitate partnership with eligible countries.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of State such sums as may be necessary to 
implement the Program authorized to be established in accordance with 
subsection (a).

SEC. 12. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SCIENCE-RELATED CONFERENCES, 
              EXCHANGES, AND PROGRAMS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The United States is a preeminent location for science-
        related conferences, exchanges, and programs.
            (2) Such conferences contribute to State and local 
        economies and provide critical opportunities for United States 
        scientists to interact with foreign counterparts.
            (3) Recently, the visa process to gain admission to the 
        United States for such events has become sufficiently onerous 
        to deter foreign visitors whom the United States should 
        welcome.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that relevant 
Federal agencies should work to improve the overall visa process to 
ensure that the United States remains a central destination for such 
conferences, exchanges, and programs.
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