[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6978 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6978

   To establish a new Directorate for Technology in the redesignated 
  National Science and Technology Foundation, to establish a regional 
 technology hub program, to require a strategy and report on economic 
  security, science, research, and innovation, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2020

  Mr. Khanna (for himself and Mr. Gallagher) introduced the following 
   bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                               Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To establish a new Directorate for Technology in the redesignated 
  National Science and Technology Foundation, to establish a regional 
 technology hub program, to require a strategy and report on economic 
  security, science, research, and innovation, 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 ``Endless Frontier Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) For over 70 years, the United States has been the 
        unequivocal global leader in scientific and technological 
        innovation, and as a result the people of the United States 
        have benefitted through good-paying jobs, economic prosperity, 
        and a higher quality of life. Today, however, this leadership 
        position is being eroded and challenged by foreign competitors, 
        some of whom are stealing intellectual property and trade 
        secrets of the United States and aggressively investing in 
        fundamental research and commercialization to dominate the key 
        technology fields of the future. While the United States once 
        led the world in the share of our economy invested in research, 
        our Nation now ranks 9th globally in total research and 
        development and 12th in publicly financed research and 
        development.
            (2) Without a significant increase in investment in 
        research, education, technology transfer, and the core 
        strengths of the United States innovation ecosystem, it is only 
        a matter of time before the global competitors of the United 
        States overtake the United States in terms of technological 
        primacy. The country that wins the race in key technologies--
        such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced 
        communications, and advanced manufacturing--will be the 
        superpower of the future.
            (3) The Federal Government must catalyze United States 
        innovation by boosting fundamental research investments focused 
        on discovering, creating, commercializing, and producing new 
        technologies to ensure the leadership of the United States in 
        the industries of the future.
            (4) The distribution of innovation jobs and investment in 
        the United States has become largely concentrated in just a few 
        locations, while much of the Nation has been left out of growth 
        in the innovation sector. More than 90 percent of the Nation's 
        innovation sector employment growth in the last 15 years was 
        generated in just 5 major cities. The Federal Government must 
        address this imbalance in opportunity by partnering with the 
        private sector to build new technology hubs across the country, 
        spreading innovation sector jobs more broadly, and tapping the 
        talent and potential of the entire Nation to ensure the United 
        States leads the industries of the future.
            (5) Since its inception, the National Science Foundation 
        has carried out vital work supporting basic research and people 
        to create knowledge that is a primary driver of the economy of 
        the United States and enhances the Nation's security.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION.

    (a) Redesignation of National Science Foundation as National 
Science and Technology Foundation.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2 of the Act of May 10, 1950 (64 
        Stat. 149, chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861), is amended--
                    (A) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
                technology'' after ``science''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the National Science Foundation'' 
                and inserting ``the National Science and Technology 
                Foundation''.
            (2) References.--Any reference in any law, rule, 
        regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other 
        official paper in force on the date of enactment of this Act to 
        the National Science Foundation shall be considered to refer 
        and apply to the National Science and Technology Foundation.
    (b) Establishment of Deputy Director for Technology.--Section 6 of 
the Act of May 10, 1950 (64 Stat. 149, chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1864a), 
is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``deputy director'' 
        and inserting ``deputy directors'';
            (2) in the first sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``a Deputy Director'' and inserting 
                ``2 Deputy Directors''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and in accordance with the 
                expedited procedures established under S. Res. 116 
                (112th Congress)'' after ``the Senate'';
            (3) in the third sentence, by striking ``The Deputy 
        Director shall receive'' and inserting ``Each Deputy Director 
        shall receive'';
            (4) by inserting after the third sentence the following: 
        ``The Deputy Director for Technology shall oversee, and perform 
        duties relating to, the Directorate for Technology of the 
        Foundation, as established under section 8A, and the Deputy 
        Director for Science shall oversee, and perform duties relating 
        to, the other activities and directorates supported by the 
        Foundation.''; and
            (5) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``The Deputy 
        Director shall act'' and inserting ``The Deputy Director for 
        Science shall act''.
    (c) Establishment of Directorate for Technology.--The Act of May 
10, 1950 (64 Stat. 149, chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), is 
amended--
            (1) in section 8 (42 U.S.C. 1866), by inserting at the end 
        the following: ``Such divisions shall include the Directorate 
        for Technology established under section 8A.''; and
            (2) by inserting after section 8 the following:

``SEC. 8A. DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Deputy director.--The term `Deputy Director' means 
        the Deputy Director for Technology.
            ``(2) Designated country.--The term `designated country' 
        means a country that has been approved and designated in 
        writing by the President for purposes of this section, after 
        providing--
                    ``(A) not less than 30 days of advance notification 
                and explanation to the relevant congressional 
                committees before the designation; and
                    ``(B) in-person briefings to such committees, if 
                requested during the 30-day advance notification period 
                described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Directorate.--The term `Directorate' means the 
        Directorate for Technology established under subsection (b).
            ``(4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            ``(5) Key technology focus areas.--The term `key technology 
        focus areas' means the areas included on the most recent list 
        under subsection (c)(2).
            ``(6) Relevant congressional committees.--The term 
        `relevant congressional committees' means--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the 
                Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign 
                Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of 
                the Senate; and
                    ``(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the 
                Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the 
                Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign 
                Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
                Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
    ``(b) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of the Endless Frontier Act, the Director shall 
        establish in the Foundation a Directorate for Technology. The 
        Directorate shall carry out the duties and responsibilities 
        described in this section, in order to further the following 
        goals:
                    ``(A) Strengthening the leadership of the United 
                States in critical technologies through fundamental 
                research in the key technology focus areas.
                    ``(B) Enhancing the competitiveness of the United 
                States in the key technology focus areas by improving 
                education in the key technology focus areas and 
                attracting more students to such areas.
                    ``(C) Consistent with the operations of the 
                Foundation, fostering the economic and societal impact 
                of federally funded research and development through an 
                accelerated translation of fundamental advances in the 
                key technology focus areas into processes and products 
                that can help achieve national goals related to 
                economic competitiveness, domestic manufacturing, 
                national security, shared prosperity, energy and the 
                environment, health, education and workforce 
                development, and transportation.
            ``(2) Deputy director.--The Directorate shall be headed by 
        the Deputy Director.
            ``(3) Organization and administrative matters.--
                    ``(A) Hiring authority.--
                            ``(i) Experts in science and engineering.--
                        The Director shall have the authority to carry 
                        out a program of personnel management authority 
                        for the Directorate in the same manner, and 
                        subject to the same requirements, as the 
                        program of personnel management authority 
                        authorized for the Director of the Defense 
                        Advanced Research Projects Agency under section 
                        1599h of title 10, United States Code, for the 
                        Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
                            ``(ii) Highly qualified experts in needed 
                        occupations.--In addition to the authority 
                        provided under clause (i), the Director shall 
                        have the authority to carry out a program of 
                        personnel management authority for the 
                        Directorate in the same manner, and subject to 
                        the same requirements, as the program to 
                        attract highly qualified experts carried out by 
                        the Secretary of Defense under section 9903 of 
                        title 5, United States Code.
                            ``(iii) Additional hiring authority.--To 
                        the extent needed to carry out the duties in 
                        paragraph (1), the Director shall utilize 
                        hiring authorities under section 3372 of title 
                        5, United States Code, to staff the Directorate 
                        with employees from other Federal agencies, 
                        State and local governments, Indian tribes and 
                        tribal organizations, institutions of higher 
                        education, and other organizations, as 
                        described in that section, in the same manner 
                        and subject to the same conditions, that apply 
                        to such individuals utilized to accomplish 
                        other missions of the Foundation.
                    ``(B) Program managers.--The employees of the 
                Directorate may include program managers for the key 
                technology focus areas, who shall perform a role 
                similar to programs managers employed by the Defense 
                Advanced Research Projects Agency for the oversight and 
                selection of programs supported by the Directorate.
                    ``(C) Selection of recipients.--Recipients of 
                support under the programs and activities of the 
                Directorate shall be selected by program managers or 
                other employees of the Directorate. The Directorate may 
                use a peer review process to inform the decisions of 
                program managers or other employees.
                    ``(D) Assistant directors.--The Director may 
                appoint 1 or more Assistant Directors for the 
                Directorate as the Director determines necessary, in 
                the same manner as other Assistant Directors of the 
                Foundation are appointed.
            ``(4) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
        enactment of the Endless Frontier Act, the Director shall 
        prepare and submit a report to the relevant congressional 
        committees regarding the establishment of the Directorate.
    ``(c) Duties and Functions of the Directorate.--
            ``(1) Development of technology focus of the directorate.--
        The Director, acting through the Deputy Director, shall--
                    ``(A) advance innovation in the key technology 
                focus areas through fundamental research and other 
                activities described in this section; and
                    ``(B) develop and implement strategies to ensure 
                that the activities of the Directorate are directed 
                toward the key technology focus areas in order to 
                accomplish the goals described in subparagraphs (A) 
                through (C) of subsection (b)(1) consistent with the 
                most recent report conducted under section 5(b) of the 
                Endless Frontier Act.
            ``(2) Key technology focus areas.--
                    ``(A) Initial list.--The initial key technology 
                focus areas are--
                            ``(i) artificial intelligence and machine 
                        learning;
                            ``(ii) high-performance computing, 
                        semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware;
                            ``(iii) quantum computing and information 
                        systems;
                            ``(iv) robotics, automation, and advanced 
                        manufacturing;
                            ``(v) natural or anthropogenic disaster 
                        prevention;
                            ``(vi) advanced communications technology;
                            ``(vii) biotechnology, genomics, and 
                        synthetic biology;
                            ``(viii) cybersecurity, data storage and 
                        data management technologies;
                            ``(ix) advanced energy; and
                            ``(x) materials science, engineering, and 
                        exploration relevant to the other key 
                        technology focus areas described in this 
                        subparagraph.
                    ``(B) Review of key technology focus areas and 
                subsequent lists.--
                            ``(i) Adding or deleting key technology 
                        focus areas.--Beginning on the date that is 4 
                        years after the date of enactment of the 
                        Endless Frontier Act, and every 4 years 
                        thereafter, the Director, acting through the 
                        Deputy Director--
                                    ``(I) shall, in consultation with 
                                the Board of Advisors, review the list 
                                of key technology focus areas; and
                                    ``(II) as part of that review, may 
                                add or delete key technology focus 
                                areas if the competitive threats to the 
                                United States have shifted (whether 
                                because the United States or other 
                                nations have advanced or fallen behind 
                                in a technological area), subject to 
                                clause (ii).
                            ``(ii) Limit on key technology focus 
                        areas.--Not more than 10 key technology focus 
                        areas shall be included on the list of key 
                        technology focus areas at any time.
                            ``(iii) Updating focus areas and 
                        distribution.--Upon the completion of each 
                        review under this subparagraph, the Director 
                        shall make the list of key technology focus 
                        areas readily available and publish the list in 
                        the Federal Register, even if no changes have 
                        been made to the prior list.
            ``(3) Activities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the duties and 
                functions of the Directorate, the Director, acting 
                through the Deputy Director, may--
                            ``(i) award, grants, cooperative 
                        agreements, and contracts to--
                                    ``(I) individual institutions of 
                                higher education for work at centers or 
                                by individual researchers;
                                    ``(II) not-for-profit entities; and
                                    ``(III) consortia that--
                                            ``(aa) shall include and be 
                                        led by an institution of higher 
                                        education, and may include 1 or 
                                        more additional institutions of 
                                        higher education;
                                            ``(bb) may include 1 or 
                                        more entities described in 
                                        subclause (I) or (II) and, if 
                                        determined appropriate by the 
                                        Director, for-profit entities, 
                                        including small businesses; and
                                            ``(cc) may include 1 or 
                                        more entities described in 
                                        subclause (I) or (II) from 
                                        treaty allies and security 
                                        partners of the United States;
                            ``(ii) provide funds to other divisions of 
                        the Foundation, including--
                                    ``(I) to the other directorates of 
                                the Foundation to pursue basic 
                                questions about natural and physical 
                                phenomena that could enable advances in 
                                the key technology focus areas;
                                    ``(II) to the Directorate for 
                                Social, Behavioral, and Economic 
                                Sciences to study questions that could 
                                affect the design, operation, 
                                deployment, or the social and ethical 
                                consequences of technologies in the key 
                                technology focus areas; and
                                    ``(III) to the Directorate for 
                                Education and Human Resources to 
                                further the creation of a domestic 
                                workforce capable of advancing the key 
                                technology focus areas;
                            ``(iii) provide funds to other Federal 
                        research agencies, including the National 
                        Institute of Standards and Technology, for 
                        intramural or extramural work in the key 
                        technology focus areas;
                            ``(iv) make awards under the SBIR and STTR 
                        programs (as defined in section 9(e) of the 
                        Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e))) in the 
                        same manner as awards under such programs are 
                        made by the Director of the Foundation;
                            ``(v) administer prize challenges under 
                        section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
                        Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) in the 
                        key technology focus areas, in order to expand 
                        public-private partnerships beyond direct 
                        research funding; and
                            ``(vi) enter into and perform such 
                        contracts, including cooperative research and 
                        development arrangements and grants and 
                        cooperative agreements or other transactions, 
                        as may be necessary in the conduct of the work 
                        of the Directorate and on such terms as the 
                        Deputy Director considers appropriate, in 
                        furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
                    ``(B) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of the Endless Frontier Act, the 
                Director shall prepare and submit to the relevant 
                congressional committees a spending plan for the next 5 
                years for each of the activities described in 
                subparagraph (A), including--
                            ``(i) a plan to seek out additional 
                        investments from--
                                    ``(I) certain designated countries; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) if appropriate, private 
                                sector entities; and
                            ``(ii) the planned activities of the 
                        Directorate to secure federally funded science 
                        and technology pursuant to section 1746 of the 
                        National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
                        Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92).
                    ``(C) Annual briefing.--Each year, the Director 
                shall formally request a briefing from the Director of 
                the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of 
                the National Counterintelligence and Security Center 
                regarding their efforts to preserve the United States 
                advantages generated by the activity of the 
                Directorate.
            ``(4) Interagency cooperation.--In carrying out this 
        section, the Director and other Federal research agencies shall 
        work cooperatively with each other to further the goals of this 
        section in the key technology focus areas. Each year, the 
        Director shall prepare and submit a report to Congress, and 
        shall simultaneously submit the report to the Director of the 
        Office of Science and Technology Policy, describing the 
        interagency cooperation that occurred during the preceding year 
        pursuant to this paragraph, including a list of--
                    ``(A) any funds provided under paragraph (3)(A)(ii) 
                to other divisions of the Foundation; and
                    ``(B) any funds provided under paragraph 
                (3)(A)(iii) to other Federal research agencies.
            ``(5) Providing scholarships, fellowships, and other 
        student support.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director, acting through the 
                Directorate, shall fund undergraduate scholarships, 
                graduate fellowships and traineeships, and postdoctoral 
                student awards in the key technology focus areas.
                    ``(B) Implementation.--The Director may carry out 
                subparagraph (A) by providing funds--
                            ``(i) to the Directorate for Education and 
                        Human Resources of the Foundation for--
                                    ``(I) awards directly to students; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) grants or cooperative 
                                agreements to institutions of higher 
                                education, including those institutions 
                                involved in operating university 
                                technology centers established under 
                                paragraph (6); and
                            ``(ii) to programs in Federal research 
                        agencies that have experience awarding such 
                        scholarships, fellowships, traineeships, or 
                        postdoctoral awards.
                    ``(C) Supplement, not supplant.--The Director shall 
                ensure that funds made available under this paragraph 
                shall be used to create additional support for 
                postsecondary students and shall not displace funding 
                for any other available support.
            ``(6) University technology centers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--From amounts made available to 
                the Directorate, the Director shall, through a 
                competitive application and selection process, award 
                grants to or enter into cooperative agreements with 
                institutions of higher education or consortia described 
                in paragraph (3)(A)(i)(III) to establish university 
                technology centers.
                    ``(B) Uses of funds.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A center established 
                        under a grant or cooperative agreement under 
                        subparagraph (A)--
                                    ``(I) shall use support provided 
                                under such subparagraph--
                                            ``(aa) to carry out 
                                        fundamental research to advance 
                                        innovation in the key 
                                        technology focus areas; and
                                            ``(bb) to further the 
                                        development of innovations in 
                                        the key technology focus areas, 
                                        including--

                                                    ``(AA) innovations 
                                                derived from research 
                                                carried out under item 
                                                (aa), through such 
                                                activities as proof-of-
                                                concept development and 
                                                prototyping, in order 
                                                to reduce the cost, 
                                                time, and risk of 
                                                commercializing new 
                                                technologies; and

                                                    ``(BB) through the 
                                                use of public-private 
                                                partnerships; and

                                    ``(II) may use support provided 
                                under such subparagraph--
                                            ``(aa) for the costs of 
                                        equipment, including mid-tier 
                                        infrastructure, and the 
                                        purchase of cyberinfrastructure 
                                        resources, including computer 
                                        time; or
                                            ``(bb) for other activities 
                                        or costs necessary to 
                                        accomplish the purposes of this 
                                        section.
                            ``(ii) Support of regional technology 
                        hubs.--Each center established under 
                        subparagraph (A) may support and participate 
                        in, as appropriate, the activities of any 
                        regional technology hub designated under 
                        section 27(d) of the Stevenson-Wydler 
                        Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
                        3722(d)).
                    ``(C) Requirements.--The Director shall ensure that 
                any institution of higher education or consortium 
                receiving a grant or cooperative agreement under 
                subparagraph (A) has demonstrated an ability to advance 
                the goals described in subsection (b)(1).
            ``(7) Moving technology from laboratory to market.--
                    ``(A) Program authorized.--The Director shall 
                establish a program in the Directorate to award grants, 
                on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher 
                education or consortia described in paragraph 
                (3)(A)(i)(III)--
                            ``(i) to build capacity at an institution 
                        of higher education and in its surrounding 
                        region to increase the likelihood that new 
                        technologies in the key technology focus areas 
                        will succeed in the commercial market; and
                            ``(ii) with the goal of promoting 
                        experiments with a range of models that 
                        institutions of higher education could use to--
                                    ``(I) enable new technologies to 
                                mature to the point where the 
                                technologies are more likely to succeed 
                                in the commercial market; and
                                    ``(II) reduce the risks to 
                                commercial success for new technologies 
                                earlier in their development.
                        A grant awarded under this subparagraph for a 
                        purpose described in clause (i) or (ii) may 
                        also enable the institution of higher education 
                        or consortium to provide training and support 
                        to scientists and engineers who are interested 
                        in research and commercialization, if the use 
                        is included in the proposal submitted under 
                        subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Proposals.--An institution of higher 
                education or consortium desiring a grant under this 
                paragraph shall submit a proposal to the Director at 
                such time, in such manner, and containing such 
                information as the Director may require. The proposal 
                shall include a description of--
                            ``(i) the steps the applicant will take to 
                        reduce the risks for commercialization for new 
                        technologies;
                            ``(ii) why such steps are likely to be 
                        effective; and
                            ``(iii) how such steps differ from previous 
                        efforts to reduce the risks for 
                        commercialization for new technologies.
                    ``(C) Use of funds.--A recipient of a grant under 
                this paragraph shall use grant funds to reduce the 
                risks for commercialization for new technologies 
                developed on campus, which may include--
                            ``(i) creating and funding competitions to 
                        allow entrepreneurial ideas from institutions 
                        of higher education to illustrate their 
                        commercialization potential;
                            ``(ii) facilitating mentorships between 
                        local and national business leaders and 
                        potential entrepreneurs to encourage successful 
                        commercialization;
                            ``(iii) creating and funding for-profit or 
                        not-for-profit entities that could enable 
                        researchers at institutions of higher education 
                        to further develop new technology prior to 
                        seeking commercial financing, through patient 
                        funding, advice, staff support, or other means;
                            ``(iv) providing off-campus facilities for 
                        start-up companies where technology maturation 
                        could occur; and
                            ``(v) revising institution policies to 
                        accomplish the goals of this paragraph.
            ``(8) Test beds.--
                    ``(A) Program authorized.--The Director, acting 
                through the Deputy Director, shall establish a program 
                in the Directorate to award grants, on a competitive 
                basis, to institutions of higher education or consortia 
                described in paragraph (3)(A)(i)(III) to establish test 
                beds and fabrication facilities to advance the 
                operation, integration and, as appropriate, 
                manufacturing of new, innovative technologies in the 
                key technology focus areas, which may include hardware 
                or software. The goal of such test beds and facilities 
                shall be to accelerate the movement of innovative 
                technologies into the commercial market through 
                existing and new companies.
                    ``(B) Proposals.--A proposal submitted under this 
                paragraph shall, at a minimum, describe--
                            ``(i)(I) the 1 or more technologies that 
                        will be the focus of the test bed or 
                        fabrication facility;
                            ``(II) the goals of the work to be done at 
                        the test bed or facility; and
                            ``(III) the expected schedule for 
                        completing that work;
                            ``(ii) how the applicant will assemble a 
                        workforce with the skills needed to operate the 
                        test bed or facility;
                            ``(iii) how the applicant will ensure that 
                        work in the test bed or facility will 
                        contribute to the commercial viability of any 
                        technologies, which may include collaboration 
                        and funding from industry partners;
                            ``(iv) how the applicant will encourage the 
                        participation of entrepreneurs and the 
                        development of new businesses; and
                            ``(v) how the test bed or facility will 
                        operate after Federal funding has ended.
                    ``(C) Awards.--Grants made under this paragraph--
                            ``(i) shall be for 5 years, with the 
                        possibility of one 3-year extension; and
                            ``(ii) may be used for the purchase of 
                        equipment, the support of graduate students and 
                        postdoctoral researchers, and the salaries of 
                        staff.
                    ``(D) Requirements.--As a condition of receiving a 
                grant under this paragraph, an institution of higher 
                education or consortium shall publish and share with 
                the public the results of the work conducted under this 
                paragraph.
            ``(9) Inapplicability.--Section 5(e)(1) shall not apply to 
        grants, contracts, or other arrangements made under this 
        section.
    ``(d) Board of Advisors.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established in the Foundation a 
        Board of Advisors for the Directorate (referred to in this 
        section as the `Board of Advisors'), which shall provide advice 
        to the Deputy Director pursuant to this subsection. The Board 
        of Advisors shall not have any decision-making authority.
            ``(2) Membership.--
                    ``(A) Composition.--The Board of Advisors shall be 
                comprised of 12 members representing scientific leaders 
                and experts from industry and academia, of whom--
                            ``(i) 2 shall be appointed by the majority 
                        leader of the Senate;
                            ``(ii) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
                        leader of the Senate;
                            ``(iii) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker 
                        of the House of Representatives;
                            ``(iv) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
                        leader of the House of Representatives; and
                            ``(v) 4 shall be appointed by the Director.
                    ``(B) Opportunity for input.--Before appointing any 
                member under subparagraph (A), the appointing authority 
                shall provide an opportunity for the National Academies 
                of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and other 
                entities to provide advice regarding potential 
                appointees.
                    ``(C) Qualifications.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each member appointed 
                        under subparagraph (A) shall--
                                    ``(I) have extensive experience in 
                                a field related to the work of the 
                                Directorate or other expertise relevant 
                                to developing technology roadmaps; and
                                    ``(II) have, or be able to obtain 
                                within a reasonable period of time, a 
                                security clearance appropriate for the 
                                work of the Board of Advisors.
                            ``(ii) Expedited security clearances.--The 
                        process of obtaining a security clearance under 
                        clause (i)(II) may be expedited by the head of 
                        the appropriate Federal agency to enable the 
                        Board to receive classified briefings on the 
                        current and future technological capacity of 
                        other Nations, and on the military implications 
                        of civilian technologies.
                    ``(D) Date.--The appointments of the members of the 
                Board of Advisors shall be made not later than 90 days 
                after the date of enactment of the Endless Frontier 
                Act.
            ``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A member of the Board of 
                Advisors shall be appointed for a 3-year term, except 
                that the Deputy Director shall adjust the terms for the 
                first members of the Board of Advisors so that, within 
                each appointment category described in clauses (i) 
                through (v) of paragraph (2)(A), the terms expire on a 
                staggered basis.
                    ``(B) Term limits.--A member of the Board of 
                Advisors shall not serve for more than 2 full 
                consecutive terms.
                    ``(C) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Board of 
                Advisors--
                            ``(i) shall not affect the powers of the 
                        Board of Advisors; and
                            ``(ii) shall be filled in the same manner 
                        as the original appointment.
            ``(4) Chairperson.--The members of the Board of Advisors 
        shall elect 1 member to serve as the chairperson of the Board 
        of Advisors.
            ``(5) Meetings.--
                    ``(A) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of enactment of the Endless Frontier 
                Act, the Board of Advisors shall hold the first meeting 
                of the Board of Advisors.
                    ``(B) Additional meetings.--After the first meeting 
                of the Board of Advisors, the Board of Advisors shall 
                meet upon the call of the chairperson or of the 
                Director, and at least once every 180 days for the 
                duration of the Board of Advisors.
                    ``(C) Meeting with the national science board.--The 
                Board of Advisors shall hold a joint meeting with the 
                National Science Board on at least an annual basis, on 
                a date mutually selected by the Chairperson of the 
                Board of Advisors and the Chairman of the National 
                Science Board.
                    ``(D) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the 
                Board of Advisors shall constitute a quorum, but a 
                lesser number of members may hold hearings.
            ``(6) Duties of board of advisors.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Board of Advisors shall 
                provide advice--
                            ``(i) to the Deputy Director on programs 
                        that could best be carried out to accomplish 
                        the purposes of this section;
                            ``(ii) to the Deputy Director to inform the 
                        reviews of key technology focus areas required 
                        under subsection (c)(2)(B); and
                            ``(iii) on other issues relating to the 
                        purposes and responsibilities of the 
                        Directorate, as requested by the Deputy 
                        Director.
                    ``(B) No role in awarding grants, contracts, or 
                cooperative agreements.--The Board of Advisors shall 
                not provide advice on or otherwise help determine what 
                entities shall receive grants, contracts, or 
                cooperative agreements under this Act.
            ``(7) Powers of board of advisors.--
                    ``(A) Hearings.--The Board of Advisors may hold 
                public or private hearings, sit and act at such times 
                and places, take such testimony and receive such 
                evidence (including classified testimony and evidence), 
                and administer such oaths as may be necessary to carry 
                out the functions of the Board of Advisors under 
                paragraph (6).
                    ``(B) Information from federal agencies.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each Federal department 
                        or agency shall, in accordance with applicable 
                        procedures for the handling of classified 
                        information, provide reasonable access to 
                        documents, statistical data, and other such 
                        information that the Deputy Director, in 
                        consultation with the chairperson of the Board 
                        of Advisors, determines necessary to carry out 
                        its functions under paragraph (6).
                            ``(ii) Obtaining classified information.--
                        If the Board of Advisors, acting through the 
                        chairperson, seeks classified information from 
                        a Federal department or agency, the Deputy 
                        Director shall submit a written request to the 
                        head of the Federal department or agency for 
                        access to classified documents and statistical 
                        data, and other classified information 
                        described in clause (i), that is under the 
                        control of such agency.
                    ``(C) Financial disclosure reports.--Each member of 
                the Board of Advisors shall be required to file a 
                financial disclosure report under title I of the Ethics 
                in Government Act of 1978, except that such reports 
                shall be held confidential and exempt from any law 
                otherwise requiring their public disclosure.
            ``(8) Board of advisors personnel and operational 
        matters.--
                    ``(A) Compensation of members.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A member of the Board of 
                        Advisors shall be compensated at a rate equal 
                        to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of 
                        basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
                        Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 
                        5, United States Code, for each day (including 
                        travel time) during which the member is engaged 
                        in the performance of the duties of the Board 
                        of Advisors.
                            ``(ii) No federal employee members.--No 
                        member of the Board of Advisors may be an 
                        officer or employee of the United States during 
                        the member's term on the Board of Advisors.
                    ``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Board of 
                Advisors shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
                per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
                for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 
                57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
                their home or regular places of business in the 
                performance of services for the Board of Advisors.
                    ``(C) Staff.--The Deputy Director, in consultation 
                with the chairperson of the Board of Advisors, shall 
                assign an employee of the Foundation to serve as an 
                executive director for the Board of Advisors.
                    ``(D) Government employees.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Any Federal Government 
                        employee may be detailed to the Board of 
                        Advisors without reimbursement, and such detail 
                        shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
                        service status or privilege.
                            ``(ii) Employees of the legislative 
                        branch.--The Deputy Director shall establish 
                        procedures and policies to enable an employee 
                        of an office, agency, or other entity in the 
                        legislative branch of the Government to support 
                        the activities of the Board of Advisors.
                    ``(E) Procurement of temporary and intermittent 
                services.--The chairperson of the Board of Advisors, 
                with approval from the Deputy Director, may procure 
                temporary and intermittent services under section 
                3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for 
                individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of 
                the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of 
                the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that 
                title.
                    ``(F) Assistance from federal agencies.--A Federal 
                department or agency may provide to the Board of 
                Advisors such services, funds, facilities, staff, and 
                other support services as the department or agency may 
                determine advisable and as may be authorized by law.
            ``(9) Permanent board.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Board of 
        Advisors.
    ``(e) Areas of Funding Support.--Subject to the availability of 
funds under subsection (f), the Director shall, for each fiscal year, 
use--
            ``(1) not less than 35 percent of funds provided to the 
        Directorate for such year to carry out subsection (c)(6);
            ``(2) not less than 15 percent of such funds to carry out 
        subsection (c)(5) with the goal of awarding, across the key 
        technology focus areas--
                    ``(A) not fewer than 1,000 post-doctorate 
                fellowships;
                    ``(B) not fewer than 2,000 graduate fellowships and 
                traineeships;
                    ``(C) not fewer than 1,000 undergraduate 
                scholarships; and
                    ``(D) if funds remain after carrying out 
                subparagraphs (A) through (C), grants to institutions 
                of higher education to enable the institutions to fund 
                the development and establishment of new or specialized 
                courses of education for graduate, undergraduate, or 
                technical college students;
            ``(3) not less than 5 percent of such funds to carry out 
        subsection (c)(7);
            ``(4) not less than 10 percent of such funds to carry out 
        subsection (c)(8) by establishing and equipping test beds and 
        fabrication facilities; and
            ``(5) not less than 15 percent of such funds to carry out 
        research and related activities pursuant to subclauses (I) and 
        (II) of subsection (c)(3)(A)(ii).
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        for the Directorate, in addition to any other funds made 
        available to the Directorate, a total of $100,000,000,000 for 
        fiscal years 2021 through 2025, of which--
                    ``(A) $2,000,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 
                2021;
                    ``(B) $8,000,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 
                2022;
                    ``(C) $20,000,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 
                2023;
                    ``(D) $35,000,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 
                2024; and
                    ``(E) $35,000,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 
                2025.
            ``(2) Appropriations limitations.--
                    ``(A) Hold harmless.--No funds shall be 
                appropriated to the Directorate or to carry out this 
                section for any fiscal year in which the total amount 
                appropriated to the Foundation (not including amounts 
                appropriated for the Directorate) is less than the 
                total amount appropriated to the Foundation (not 
                including such amounts), adjusted by the rate of 
                inflation, for the previous fiscal year.
                    ``(B) No transfer of funds.--The Director shall not 
                transfer any funds appropriated to any other 
                directorate or office of the Foundation to the 
                Directorate.''.
    (d) Annual Report on Unfunded Priorities.--
            (1) Annual report.--Not later than 10 days after the date 
        on which the budget of the President for a fiscal year is 
        submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, 
        United States Code, the Director shall submit to the President 
        and to Congress a report on the unfunded priorities of the 
        National Science and Technology Foundation.
            (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall provide--
                    (A) for each directorate of the National Science 
                Foundation for the most recent, fully completed fiscal 
                year--
                            (i) the proposal success rate;
                            (ii) the percentage of proposals that were 
                        not funded and that met the criteria for 
                        funding; and
                            (iii) the most promising research areas 
                        covered by proposals described in clause (ii); 
                        and
                    (B) a list, in order of priority, of the next 
                activities that should be undertaken in the Major 
                Research Equipment and Facilities Construction account.

SEC. 4. REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY HUB PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--
            (1) Key technology focus areas.--Subsection (a) of section 
        27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 
        (15 U.S.C. 3722) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
                paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Key technology focus areas.--The term `key technology 
        focus areas' means the areas included on the most recent list 
        under section 8A(c)(2) of the Act of May 10, 1950 (64 Stat. 49, 
        chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.).''.
            (2) Venture development organizations.--Paragraph (5) of 
        such subsection, as redesignated by paragraph (1) of this 
        subsection, is amended by striking ``purposes of'' and all that 
        follows through the period at the end and inserting the 
        following: ``purposes of--
                    ``(A) accelerating the commercialization of 
                research;
                    ``(B) strengthening the competitive position of 
                industry through the development, commercial adoption, 
                or deployment of technology; and
                    ``(C) providing financial grants, loans, or direct 
                financial investment to commercialize technology.''.
    (b) Designation of and Support for Regional Technology Hubs as Part 
of Regional Innovation Program of Department of Commerce.--
            (1) In general.--Such section is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsections (d) through (h) as 
                subsections (e) through (i), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
                following:
    ``(d) Designation of and Grants in Support of Regional Technology 
Hubs.--
            ``(1) Program required.--
                    ``(A) In general.--As part of the program 
                established under subsection (b), the Secretary shall 
                carry out a program--
                            ``(i) to designate eligible consortia as 
                        regional technology hubs that create the 
                        conditions, within a region, to facilitate 
                        activities that--
                                    ``(I) enable United States 
                                leadership in a key technology focus 
                                area, complementing the Federal 
                                research and development investments 
                                under section 8A of the Act of May 10, 
                                1950 (64 Stat. 149, chapter 171; 42 
                                U.S.C. 1861 et seq.); and
                                    ``(II) support regional economic 
                                development that diffuses innovation 
                                capacity around the United States, 
                                enabling better broad-based growth and 
                                competitiveness in key technology focus 
                                areas; and
                            ``(ii) to support regional technology hubs 
                        designated under clause (i).
                    ``(B) Eligible consortia.--For purposes of this 
                section, an eligible consortium is a consortium that--
                            ``(i) includes--
                                    ``(I) an institution of higher 
                                education;
                                    ``(II) a local or Tribal government 
                                or other political subdivision of a 
                                State;
                                    ``(III) a government of a State or 
                                the economic development representative 
                                of a State; and
                                    ``(IV) an economic development 
                                organization or similar entity that is 
                                focused primarily on improving science, 
                                technology, innovation, or 
                                entrepreneurship; and
                            ``(ii) may include 1 or more--
                                    ``(I) nonprofit entities with 
                                relevant expertise;
                                    ``(II) venture development 
                                organizations;
                                    ``(III) financial institutions;
                                    ``(IV) educational institutions, 
                                including career and technical 
                                education schools;
                                    ``(V) workforce training 
                                organizations;
                                    ``(VI) industry associations;
                                    ``(VII) firms in the key technology 
                                focus area;
                                    ``(VIII) Federal laboratories;
                                    ``(IX) Centers (as defined in 
                                section 25(a) of the National Institute 
                                of Standards and Technology Act (15 
                                U.S.C. 278k(a));
                                    ``(X) Manufacturing USA institutes 
                                (as described in section 34(d) of the 
                                National Institute of Standards and 
                                Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s(d))); 
                                and
                                    ``(XI) institutions receiving an 
                                award under paragraph (6) or (7) of 
                                section 8A(c) of the Act of May 10, 
                                1950 (64 Stat. 49, chapter 171; 42 
                                U.S.C. 1861 et seq.).
                    ``(C) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry 
                out this subsection through the Assistant Secretary of 
                Commerce for Economic Development and the Under 
                Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, 
                jointly.
            ``(2) Designation of regional technology hubs.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use a 
                competitive process for the designation of regional 
                technology hubs under paragraph (1)(A)(i).
                    ``(B) Number of regional technology hubs.--During 
                the 5-year period beginning on the date of the 
                enactment of the Endless Frontier Act, the Secretary 
                shall designate not fewer than 10 and not more than 15 
                eligible consortia as regional technology hubs under 
                paragraph (1)(A)(i).
                    ``(C) Geographic distribution.--In conducting the 
                competitive process under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary shall ensure geographic distribution in the 
                designation of regional technology hubs--
                            ``(i) aiming to designate regional 
                        technology hubs in as many regions of the 
                        United States as possible; and
                            ``(ii) focusing on localities that have 
                        clear potential and relevant assets for 
                        developing a key technology focus area but have 
                        not yet become leading technology centers.
            ``(3) Grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out 
                clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) through the award of 
                grants to eligible consortia designated under clause 
                (i) of such paragraph.
                    ``(B) Term.--Each grant awarded under subparagraph 
                (A) shall be for a period of 5 years, but may be 
                renewed once for an additional period of 5 years.
                    ``(C) Matching required.--The total Federal 
                financial assistance awarded in a given year to an 
                eligible consortium in support of the eligible 
                consortium's operation as a regional technology hub 
                under this subsection shall not exceed amounts as 
                follows:
                            ``(i) In fiscal year 2021, 90 percent of 
                        the total funding of the regional technology 
                        hub in that fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) In fiscal year 2022, 85 percent of 
                        the total funding of the regional technology 
                        hub in that fiscal year.
                            ``(iii) In fiscal year 2023, 80 percent of 
                        the total funding of the regional technology 
                        hub in that fiscal year.
                            ``(iv) In fiscal year 2024 and in each 
                        fiscal year thereafter, 75 percent of the total 
                        funding of the regional technology hub in that 
                        fiscal year.
                    ``(D) Use of grant funds.--The recipient of a grant 
                awarded under subparagraph (A) shall use the grant for 
                multiple activities determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary, including--
                            ``(i) the permissible activities set forth 
                        under subsection (c)(2); and
                            ``(ii) activities in support of key 
                        technology focus areas--
                                    ``(I) to develop the region's 
                                skilled workforce through the training 
                                and retraining of workers and alignment 
                                of career technical training and 
                                educational programs in the region's 
                                elementary and secondary schools and 
                                institutions of higher education;
                                    ``(II) to develop regional 
                                strategies for infrastructure 
                                improvements and site development in 
                                support of the regional technology 
                                hub's plans and programs;
                                    ``(III) to support business 
                                activity that develops the domestic 
                                supply chain and encourages the 
                                creation of new business entities;
                                    ``(IV) to attract new private, 
                                public, and philanthropic investment in 
                                the region for developing innovation 
                                capacity, including establishing 
                                regional venture and loan funds for 
                                financing technology commercialization, 
                                new business formation, and business 
                                expansions;
                                    ``(V) to further the development of 
                                innovations in the key technology focus 
                                areas, including innovations derived 
                                from research conducted at institutions 
                                of higher education or other research 
                                entities, including research conducted 
                                by 1 or more university technology 
                                centers established under section 
                                8A(c)(6) of the Act of May 10, 1950 (64 
                                Stat. 49, chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861 
                                et seq.), through activities that may 
                                include--
                                            ``(aa) proof-of-concept 
                                        development and prototyping;
                                            ``(bb) public-private 
                                        partnerships in order to reduce 
                                        the cost, time, and risk of 
                                        commercializing new 
                                        technologies;
                                            ``(cc) creating and funding 
                                        competitions to allow 
                                        entrepreneurial ideas from 
                                        institutions of higher 
                                        education to illustrate their 
                                        commercialization potential;
                                            ``(dd) facilitating 
                                        mentorships between local and 
                                        national business leaders and 
                                        potential entrepreneurs to 
                                        encourage successful 
                                        commercialization;
                                            ``(ee) creating and funding 
                                        for-profit or not-for-profit 
                                        entities that could enable 
                                        researchers at institutions of 
                                        higher education and other 
                                        research entities to further 
                                        develop new technology prior to 
                                        seeking commercial financing, 
                                        through patient funding, 
                                        advice, staff support, or other 
                                        means; and
                                            ``(ff) providing facilities 
                                        for start-up companies where 
                                        technology maturation could 
                                        occur; and
                                    ``(VI) to carry out such other 
                                activities as the Secretary considers 
                                appropriate to improve United States 
                                competitiveness and regional economic 
                                development to support a key technology 
                                focus area and that would further the 
                                purposes of the Endless Frontiers Act.
            ``(4) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible consortium seeking 
                designation as a regional technology hub under clause 
                (i) of paragraph (1)(A) and support under clause (ii) 
                of such paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an 
                application therefor at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Secretary may 
                specify.
                    ``(B) Consultation with national science foundation 
                university technology centers.--In preparing an 
                application for submittal under subparagraph (A), an 
                applicant shall, to the extent practicable, consult 
                with one or more university technology centers 
                established under section 8A(c)(6) of the Act of May 
                10, 1950 (64 Stat. 49, chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861 et 
                seq.), that are either geographically relevant or are 
                conducting research on relevant key technology focus 
                areas.
            ``(5) Considerations for designation and grant awards.--In 
        selecting an eligible consortium that submitted an application 
        under paragraph (4)(A) for designation and support under 
        paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, 
        the following:
                    ``(A) The potential of the eligible consortium to 
                advance the development of new technologies in a key 
                technology focus area.
                    ``(B) The likelihood of positive regional economic 
                effect, including increasing the number of high wage 
                jobs, and creating new economic opportunities for 
                economically disadvantaged populations.
                    ``(C) How the eligible consortium plans to 
                integrate with and leverage the resources of one or 
                more university technology centers established under 
                section 8A(c)(6) of the Act of May 10, 1950 (64 Stat. 
                49, chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), in a related 
                key technology focus area.
                    ``(D) How the eligible consortium will engage with 
                the private sector, including small- and medium-sized 
                enterprises to commercialize new technologies and 
                develop new supply chains in the United States in a key 
                technology focus area.
                    ``(E) How the eligible consortium will carry out 
                workforce development and skills acquisition 
                programming, including through the use of 
                apprenticeships, mentorships, and other related 
                activities authorized by the Secretary, to support the 
                development of a key technology focus area.
                    ``(F) How the eligible consortium will improve 
                science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
                education programs in the identified region in 
                elementary and secondary school and higher education 
                institutions located in the identified region to 
                support the development of a key technology focus area.
                    ``(G) How the eligible consortium plans to develop 
                partnerships with venture development organizations and 
                sources of private investment in support of private 
                sector activity, including launching new or expanding 
                existing companies, in a key technology focus area.
                    ``(H) How the eligible consortium plans to organize 
                the activities of regional partners in the public, 
                private, and philanthropic sectors in support of the 
                proposed regional technology hub, including the 
                development of necessary infrastructure improvements 
                and site preparation.
                    ``(I) How the eligible consortium plans to address 
                economic inclusion, including ensuring that skill 
                development, entrepreneurial assistance, and other 
                activities focus on economically disadvantaged 
                populations.
            ``(6) Coordination with national institute of standards and 
        technology programs.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Manufacturing extension center.--The 
                        term `manufacturing extension center' has the 
                        meaning given the term `Center' in section 
                        25(a) of the National Institute of Standards 
                        and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(a)).
                            ``(ii) Manufacturing usa institute.--The 
                        term `Manufacturing USA institute' means a 
                        Manufacturing USA institute described in 
                        section 34(d) of the National Institute of 
                        Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                        278s(d)).
                    ``(B) Coordination required.--The Secretary shall 
                coordinate the activities of regional technology hubs 
                designated under this subsection, the Hollings 
                Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the 
                Manufacturing USA Program with each other to the degree 
                that doing so does not diminish the effectiveness of 
                the ongoing activities of a manufacturing extension 
                center or a Manufacturing USA institute.
                    ``(C) Condition of support.--In order to coordinate 
                activities under subparagraph (B), the Secretary may 
                condition the award of a grant or support under this 
                subsection or section 25 or 34 of the National 
                Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
                278k and 278s) upon submittal to the coordination 
                efforts of the Secretary under subparagraph (B) of this 
                paragraph.
                    ``(D) Elements.--Coordination by the Secretary 
                under subparagraph (B) may include the following:
                            ``(i) The alignment of activities of the 
                        Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
                        with the activities of regional technology hubs 
                        designated under this subsection, if 
                        applicable.
                            ``(ii) The alignment of activities of the 
                        Manufacturing USA Program and the Manufacturing 
                        USA institutes with the activities of regional 
                        technology hubs designated under this 
                        subsection, if applicable.
            ``(7) Interagency collaboration.--In assisting regional 
        technology hubs designated under paragraph (1)(A)(i), the 
        Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall collaborate with Federal departments 
                and agencies whose missions contribute to the goals of 
                the regional technology hub;
                    ``(B) may accept funds from other Federal agencies 
                to support grants and activities under this subsection; 
                and
                    ``(C) may establish interagency agreements with 
                other Federal departments or agencies to provide 
                preferential consideration for financial or technical 
                assistance to a regional technology hub designated 
                under this subsection if all applicable requirements 
                for the financial or technical assistance are met.
            ``(8) Performance measurement, transparency, and 
        accountability.--
                    ``(A) Metrics, standards, and assessment.--For each 
                grant awarded under paragraph (3) for a regional 
                technology hub, the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) develop metrics to assess the 
                        effectiveness of the activities funded in 
                        making progress toward the purposes set forth 
                        under paragraph (1)(A);
                            ``(ii) establish standards for the 
                        performance of the regional technology hub that 
                        are based on the metrics developed under clause 
                        (i); and
                            ``(iii) 2 years after the first initial 
                        award under paragraph (3) and each year 
                        thereafter until Federal financial assistance 
                        under this subsection the regional technology 
                        hub is discontinued, conduct an assessment of 
                        the regional technology hub to confirm whether 
                        the performance of the regional technology hub 
                        is meeting the standards for performance 
                        established under clause (ii).
                    ``(B) Annual report.--Not less frequently than once 
                each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
                on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
                the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the 
                Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
                House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
                Appropriations of the House of Representatives an 
                annual report on the results of the assessments 
                conducted by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(iii) 
                during the period covered by the report.''.
            (2) Initial designations and awards.--
                    (A) Competition required.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
                Secretary of Commerce shall commence a competition 
                under paragraph (2)(A) of section 27(d) of the 
                Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as 
                added by paragraph (1).
                    (B) Designation and award.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act, if the 
                Secretary has received at least 1 application under 
                paragraph (4) of such section from an eligible 
                consortium whom the Secretary considers suitable for 
                designation under paragraph (1)(A)(i) of such section, 
                the Secretary shall--
                            (i) designate at least 1 regional 
                        technology hub under paragraph (1)(A)(i) of 
                        such section; and
                            (ii) award a grant under paragraph (3)(A) 
                        of such section to each regional technology hub 
                        designated under clause (i) of this 
                        subparagraph.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (i) of such 
section, as redesignated by subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``From amounts'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--From amounts'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of 
        this subsection, by striking ``this section'' and inserting 
        ``the provisions of this section other than subsection (d)''; 
        and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Regional technology hubs.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to the Secretary to carry out subsection (d) 
        $10,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal year 2021 through 
        2025.''.

SEC. 5. STRATEGY AND REPORT ON ECONOMIC SECURITY, SCIENCE, RESEARCH, 
              AND INNOVATION TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                on Armed Services, the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
                and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural 
                Resources, the Committee on Finance, the Committee on 
                Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on 
                Intelligence of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                on Armed Services, the Committee on Energy and 
                Commerce, the Committee on Financial Services, the 
                Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Ways and 
                Means, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
                Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Key technology focus area.--The term ``key technology 
        focus area'' means an area included on the most recent list 
        under section 8A(c)(2) of the Act of May 10, 1950 (64 Stat. 49, 
        chapter 171; 42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.).
            (3) National security strategy.--The term ``national 
        security strategy'' means the national security strategy 
        required by section 108 of the National Security Act of 1947 
        (50 U.S.C. 3043).
    (b) Strategy and Report.--
            (1) In general.--In 2021 and in each year thereafter before 
        the applicable date set forth under paragraph (2), the Director 
        of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in coordination 
        with the Director of the National Economic Council, the 
        Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of 
        Commerce, the National Security Council, and the heads of other 
        relevant Federal agencies, shall--
                    (A) review such strategy, programs, and resources 
                as the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
                Policy determines pertain to United States national 
                competitiveness in science, research, and innovation to 
                support the national security strategy;
                    (B) develop a strategy for the Federal Government 
                to improve the national competitiveness of the United 
                States in science, research, and innovation to support 
                the national security strategy; and
                    (C) submit to the appropriate committees of 
                Congress--
                            (i) a report on the findings of the 
                        Director with respect to the review conducted 
                        under paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) the strategy developed or revised 
                        under paragraph (2).
            (2) Applicable dates.--In each year, the applicable date 
        set forth under this paragraph is as follows:
                    (A) In 2021, December 31, 2021.
                    (B) In 2022 and every year thereafter--
                            (i) in any year in which a new President is 
                        inaugurated, October 1 of that year; and
                            (ii) in any other year, the date that is 90 
                        days after the date of the transmission to 
                        Congress in that year of the national security 
                        strategy.
    (c) Elements.--
            (1) Report.--Each report submitted under subsection 
        (b)(1)(C)(i) shall include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of public and private investment 
                in civilian and military science and technology and its 
                implications for the geostrategic position and national 
                security of the United States.
                    (B) A description of the prioritized economic 
                security interests and objectives of the United States 
                relating to science, research, and innovation and an 
                assessment of how investment in civilian and military 
                science and technology can advance those objectives.
                    (C) An assessment of how regional efforts are 
                contributing and could contribute to the innovation 
                capacity of the United States, including--
                            (i) programs run by State and local 
                        governments; and
                            (ii) regional factors that are contributing 
                        or could contribute positively to innovation.
                    (D) An assessment of barriers to competitiveness in 
                key technology focus areas and barriers to the 
                development and evolution of start-ups, small and mid-
                sized business entities, and industries in key 
                technology focus areas.
                    (E) An assessment of the effectiveness of the 
                Federal Government, federally funded research and 
                development centers, and national labs in supporting 
                and promoting technology commercialization and 
                technology transfer, including an assessment of the 
                adequacy of Federal research and development funding in 
                promoting competitiveness and the development of new 
                technologies.
                    (F) An assessment of manufacturing capacity, 
                logistics, and supply chain dynamics of major export 
                sectors, including access to a skilled workforce, 
                physical infrastructure, and broadband network 
                infrastructure.
            (2) Strategy.--Each strategy submitted under subsection 
        (b)(1)(C)(ii) shall include the following:
                    (A) A plan to utilize available tools to address or 
                minimize the leading threats and challenges and to take 
                advantage of the leading opportunities, including the 
                following:
                            (i) Specific objectives, tasks, metrics, 
                        and milestones for each relevant Federal 
                        agency.
                            (ii) Specific plans to support public and 
                        private sector investment in research, 
                        technology development, and domestic 
                        manufacturing in key technology focus areas 
                        supportive of the national economic 
                        competitiveness of the United States and to 
                        foster the prudent use of public-private 
                        partnerships.
                            (iii) Specific plans to promote 
                        environmental stewardship and fair competition 
                        for United States workers.
                            (iv) A description of--
                                    (I) how the strategy submitted 
                                under subsection (b)(3)(B) supports the 
                                national security strategy; and
                                    (II) how the strategy submitted 
                                under such subsection is integrated and 
                                coordinated with the most recent 
                                national defense strategy under section 
                                113(g) of title 10, United States Code.
                            (v) A plan to encourage the governments of 
                        countries that are allies or partners of the 
                        United States to cooperate with the execution 
                        of the strategy submitted under subsection 
                        (b)(3)(B), where appropriate.
                            (vi) A plan to encourage certain 
                        international and multilateral organizations to 
                        support the implementation of such strategy.
                            (vii) A plan for how the United States 
                        should develop local and regional capacity for 
                        building innovation ecosystems across the 
                        nation by providing Federal support.
                            (viii) A plan for strengthening the 
                        industrial base of the United States.
                    (B) An identification of additional resources, 
                administrative action, or legislative action 
                recommended to assist with the implementation of such 
                strategy.
    (d) Form of Reports and Strategies.--Each report and strategy 
submitted under subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, 
but may include a classified annex.

SEC. 6. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992.--The Scientific 
and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 1862h et seq.), is 
amended--
            (1) in section 2(5) (42 U.S.C. 1862h(5)), by striking 
        ``National Science Foundation'' and inserting ``National 
        Science and Technology Foundation''; and
            (2) in section 3 (42 U.S.C. 1862i), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (b) National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998.--The 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862k 
et seq.), is amended--
            (1) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2 (112 
        Stat. 869), by striking ``National Science Foundation 
        established'' and inserting ``National Science and Technology 
        Foundation established''; and
            (2) in section 101(a)(6) (42 U.S.C. 1862k(a)(6)), by 
        striking ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term 
        appears and inserting ``National Science and Technology 
        Foundation''.
    (c) National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002.--The 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n 
et seq.), is amended--
            (1) in section 2 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note), by striking 
        ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and 
        inserting ``National Science and Technology Foundation'';
            (2) in each of paragraphs (4) and (7) of section 4 (42 
        U.S.C. 1862n note), by striking ``National Science Foundation 
        established'' and inserting ``National Science and Technology 
        Foundation established''; and
            (3) in section 10A (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1a)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
                technology'' after ``national science'';
                    (B) in the subsection heading of subsection (e), by 
                inserting ``and Technology'' after ``National 
                Science''; and
                    (C) by striking ``National Science Foundation'' 
                each place the term appears and inserting ``National 
                Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (d) America COMPETES Act.--The America COMPETES Act (Public Law 
110-69; 121 Stat. 572) is amended--
            (1) in each of sections 1006(c)(1)(K) (15 U.S.C. 
        3718(c)(1)(K)), 4001 (33 U.S.C. 893), and 5003(b)(1), by 
        striking ``National Science Foundation'' and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation'';
            (2) in section 7001(5) (42 U.S.C. 1862o note), by striking 
        ``National Science Foundation'' and inserting ``National 
        Science and Technology Foundation''; and
            (3) in the title heading for title VII, by inserting ``AND 
        TECHNOLOGY'' after ``NATIONAL SCIENCE''.
    (e) National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and 
Priorities Act of 1976.--The National Science and Technology Policy, 
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.), is 
amended--
            (1) in section 205(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 6614(b)(2)), by 
        striking ``National Science Foundation'' and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation''; and
            (2) in section 206 (42 U.S.C. 6615), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (f) America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.--The America 
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-358; 124 Stat. 
3982), is amended--
            (1) in the title heading of title V, by inserting ``AND 
        TECHNOLOGY'' after ``NATIONAL SCIENCE'';
            (2) in the subtitle heading of subtitle A of title V, by 
        inserting ``and Technology'' after ``National Science'';
            (3) in section 502 (42 U.S.C. 1862p note)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``National 
                Science Foundation'' and inserting ``National Science 
                and Technology Foundation''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``National 
                Science Foundation established'' and inserting 
                ``National Science and Technology Foundation 
                established'';
            (4) in the section heading of section 506 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-
        1), by inserting ``and technology'' after ``national science'';
            (5) in section 517 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-9)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2) of subsection (a), by striking 
                ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term 
                appears and inserting ``National Science and Technology 
                Foundation''; and
                    (B) in each of subsections (a)(4), (b), and (c)(2), 
                by striking ``National Science Foundation'' and 
                inserting ``National Science and Technology 
                Foundation'';
            (6) in section 518 (124 Stat. 4016), by striking 
        ``Foundation.'' and inserting ``and Technology Foundation.'';
            (7) in section 519 (124 Stat. 4016)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
                technology'' after ``national science''; and
                    (B) by striking ``National Science Foundation'' 
                each place the term appears and inserting ``National 
                Science and Technology Foundation'';
            (8) in section 520 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-10)--
                    (A) by striking ``National Science Foundation'' 
                each place the term appears and inserting ``National 
                Science and Technology Foundation''; and
                    (B) in the subsection heading of subsection (b), by 
                striking ``NSF'' and inserting ``NSTF'';
            (9) in section 521 (124 Stat. 4017), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' and inserting ``National Science and 
        Technology Foundation'';
            (10) in section 522 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-11)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking ``nsf'' and 
                inserting ``nstf''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``National 
                Science Foundation'' and inserting ``National Science 
                and Technology Foundation'';
            (11) in section 524 (42 U.S.C. 1862p-12), by striking 
        ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and 
        inserting ``National Science and Technology Foundation''; and
            (12) in section 555(5) (20 U.S.C. 9905(5)), by inserting 
        ``and Technology'' after ``National Science''.
    (g) STEM Education Act of 2015.--Each of sections 2 and 3 of the 
STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note; 1862q), are amended by 
striking ``National Science Foundation'' and inserting ``National 
Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (h) Research Excellence and Advancements for Dyslexia Act.--The 
Research Excellence and Advancements for Dyslexia Act (Public Law 114-
124; 130 Stat. 120) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``National Science'' each place the term 
        appears and inserting ``National Science and Technology''; and
            (2) in section 3(a) (42 U.S.C. 1862r(a)), by inserting 
        ``and Technology'' before ``Foundation's''.
    (i) American Innovation and Competitiveness Act.--The American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 1862s et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) in section 2 (42 U.S.C. 1862 note), by inserting ``and 
        Technology'' after ``National Science''; and
            (2) in section 601(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1862s-8(a)(1)), by 
        striking ``National Science'' each place the term appears and 
        inserting ``National Science and Technology''.
    (j) National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1976.--The 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1976 (Public Law 94-86), 
is amended--
            (1) in section 2(b) (42 U.S.C. 1869a), by striking 
        ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and 
        inserting ``National Science and Technology Foundation''; and
            (2) in section 6 (42 U.S.C. 1881a), by inserting ``and 
        Technology'' after ``National Science''.
    (k) National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1977.--Section 8 
of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
1883), is amended by striking ``National Science'' each place the term 
appears and inserting ``National Science and Technology''.
    (l) National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1978.--Section 8 
of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 
1869b) is amended by inserting ``and Technology'' after ``National 
Science''.
    (m) Act of August 25, 1959.--The first section of the Act of August 
25, 1959 (42 U.S.C. 1880), is amended by inserting ``and Technology'' 
after ``National Science''.
    (n) National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1990.--Section 
9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 1882), is amended by striking ``National Science Foundation'' 
each place the term appears and inserting ``National Science and 
Technology Foundation''.
    (o) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2005.--Section 721 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 1886a), is amended 
by striking ``The National Science Foundation'' and inserting ``The 
National Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (p) National Science Foundation Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
1986.--Section 108 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 1986 (42 U.S.C. 1886), is amended by inserting ``and 
Technology'' after ``National Science''.
    (q) National Quantum Initiative Act.--The National Quantum 
Initiative Act (Public Law 115-368) is amended--
            (1) in the item relating to title III in the table of 
        contents in section 2, by striking the item relating to title 
        III and inserting the following:

    ``TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION QUANTUM 
                            ACTIVITIES'''';

            (2) in section 102(a)(2)(A) (15 U.S.C. 8812(a)(2)(A)), by 
        inserting ``and Technology'' after ``National Science'';
            (3) in section 103 (15 U.S.C. 8813), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation'';
            (4) in the title heading for title III, by inserting ``AND 
        TECHNOLOGY'' after ``NATIONAL SCIENCE''; and
            (5) in each of sections 301 and 302 (15 U.S.C. 8841, 8842), 
        by striking ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term 
        appears and inserting ``National Science and Technology 
        Foundation''.
    (r) Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014.--The Cybersecurity 
Enhancement Act of 2014 (15 U.S.C. 7421 et seq.), is amended--
            (1) in section 201 (15 U.S.C. 7431), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation''; and
            (2) in each of sections 301 and 302 (15 U.S.C. 7441, 7442), 
        by striking ``National Science Foundation'' each place the term 
        appears and inserting ``National Science and Technology 
        Foundation''.
    (s) High-Performing Computing Act of 1991.--The High-Performing 
Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.), is amended--
            (1) in section 101(a)(3)(C)(xi) (15 U.S.C. 
        5511(a)(3)(C)(xi)), by inserting ``and Technology'' after 
        ``National Science''; and
            (2) in section 201 (15 U.S.C. 5522)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
                technology'' after ``national science''; and
                    (B) by striking ``National Science Foundation'' 
                each place the term appears and inserting ``National 
                Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (t) Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984.--The Arctic Research 
and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), is amended--
            (1) in each of sections 101(b)(3) and 102(b)(1) (15 U.S.C. 
        4101(b)(3), 4102(b)(1)), by inserting ``and Technology'' after 
        ``National Science''; and
            (2) in section 107 (15 U.S.C. 4106)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading of subsection (a), by 
                inserting ``and Technology'' after ``National 
                Science''; and
                    (B) by striking ``National Science Foundation'' 
                each place the term appears and inserting ``National 
                Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (u) Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.--The 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et 
seq.), is amended--
            (1) in each of sections 4(5), 5(a)(2), 20, and 21(d) (15 
        U.S.C. 3703(5), 3704(a)(2), 3712, and 3713(d)), by inserting 
        ``and Technology'' after ``National Science'';
            (2) in section 9 (15 U.S.C. 3707)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
                technology'' after ``national science'';
                    (B) in each of subsections (a) and (b), by striking 
                ``National Science Foundation'' and inserting 
                ``National Science and Technology Foundation''; and
                    (C) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) by striking ``National Science 
                        Foundation in'' and inserting ``National 
                        Science and Technology Foundation in''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``National Science 
                        Foundation under'' and inserting ``National 
                        Science and Technology Foundation under''; and
            (3) in section 10 (15 U.S.C. 3708), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (v) Cyber Security Research and Development Act.--The Cyber 
Security Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) in section 3(1) (15 U.S.C. 7402(1)), by inserting ``and 
        Technology'' after ``National Science'';
            (2) in section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7404)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
                technology'' after ``national science'';
                    (B) in subsection (c)(4), by inserting ``and 
                Technology'' after ``National Science''; and
                    (C) in subsection (d), by striking ``National 
                Science Foundation's'' and inserting ``National Science 
                and Technology Foundation's''; and
            (3) in section 13 (15 U.S.C. 7409), by striking ``National 
        Science Foundation'' each place the term appears and inserting 
        ``National Science and Technology Foundation''.
    (w) National Superconductivity and Competitiveness Act of 1988.--
Section 6 of the National Superconductivity and Competitiveness Act of 
1988 (15 U.S.C. 5205), is amended by inserting ``and Technology'' after 
``National Science''.
    (x) Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.--Each 
of sections 105 and 402(a)(1) of the Weather Research and Forecasting 
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8515, 8542(a)(1)), are amended by 
inserting ``and Technology'' after ``National Science''.
                                 <all>