NSF support for biotechnology workforce pathways and alignment with Federal research investments

(a)

Alignment of biotechnology workforce priorities

(1)

In general

The Director, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out activities to support the integration of Federal biotechnology research investments with workforce development activities. (2)

Workforce priority areas

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Director shall identify high-demand biotechnology workforce areas, including the following: (A)Biomanufacturing and bioprocess engineering. (B)Synthetic biology. (C)Bioinformatics and computational biology. (D)Omics, such as genomics and proteomics. (E)Regulatory science and quality assurance. (F)Such other areas as the Director determines appropriate. (b)

Pathways, engagement, and partnerships

In carrying out this section, the Director shall carry out the following: (1)Support the development of a workforce framework, including relating to workforce categories, work roles, and competency areas, for biotechnology. (2)Disseminate information on, and support educational and career pathways with multiple entry and exit points for, students and early-career researchers leading to credentials and degrees in biotechnology workforce areas. (3)Promote participation in internships, apprenticeships, cooperative education programs, and other hands-on training opportunities. (4)Support partnerships among institutions of higher education (including community colleges and minority-serving institutions), Federal laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities. (5)Disseminate best practices for workforce development activities. (c)

Coordination with industry

In carrying out this section, the Director shall, to the extent practicable, carry out the following: (1)Coordinate with private sector entities engaged in biotechnology research, development, or manufacturing. (2)Support model frameworks for industry-academic partnerships. (3)Encourage alignment between workforce training programs and evolving industry needs. (d)

Metrics and evaluation

The Director shall develop metrics to assess the following: (1)Workforce gaps in biotechnology careers. (2)Barriers to entry into biotechnology careers. (3)The effectiveness of coordination and partnerships under this section. (e)

Integration with existing activities

The Director shall, to the extent practicable, carry out this section through integration with existing National Science Foundation programs and activities. (f)

Report

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter for six years, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes the following: (1)An assessment of workforce gaps in biotechnology careers. (2)A description of activities carried out under this section. (3)An evaluation of outcomes associated with workforce development activities. (4) An assessment of the position of the United States biotechnology workforce in maintaining global leadership in biotechnology relative to key competitor and near-peer countries. (5)Recommendations for actions to strengthen Federal coordination relating to biotechnology initiatives and workforce development activities. (g)

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Biotechnology

The term biotechnology means the use of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives thereof to develop or manufacture products, including biomanufacturing, bioprocess engineering, synthetic biology, genomics, proteomics, and computational biology applications. (2)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation. (3)

Workforce development activities

The term workforce development activities includes internships, apprenticeships, cooperative education, experiential learning, skills-based training, and related activities that prepare individuals for employment in biotechnology careers.