1.This Act may be cited as the
Global Science Program for Security,
Competitiveness, and Diplomacy Act of 2012
.
2.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.
3.In this Act:
(1)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)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.
4.Global Science
Program for Security, Competitiveness, and Diplomacy
(a)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)The Program is
authorized to carry out, through the provision of grants, the following
activities:
(1)
(A)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)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)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)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)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)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)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 libraryTo 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)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)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.
5.
(a)
(1)The Secretary of
State is authorized to promulgate guidelines for review of grant applications
to the Program.
(2)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)
(1)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 FoundationThe 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)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 sourcesThe Program may accept funds from
outside sources, including foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations,
and private business entities.
(e)Nothing in this Act may be construed to make any
grant recipient an agent or establishment of the United States
Government.
(f)
(1)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)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)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 ChinaAny
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).
6.
(a)There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may
be necessary to carry out sections 4 and 5.
(b)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)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)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.
7.Advisory Panel on
International Scientific Cooperation
(a)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)
(1)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)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)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)No member of the Advisory Panel may receive
compensation for services performed as a member of the Panel.
8.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.
9.Embassy Science
Fellows Program
(a)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)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
appropriationsFrom 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 sourcesThe 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).
10.Jefferson
Science Fellows Program
(a)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)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)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)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)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 sourcesThe 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).
11.Scientific
Envoys Program
(a)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
appropriationsThere 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).
12.Sense of
Congress regarding science-related conferences, exchanges, and
programs
(a)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)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.