[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 36 (Friday, March 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S2562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Reed, Mr. Hagel, 
        Mr. Baucus, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 753. A bill to enhance scientific research and competitiveness 
through the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today, I introduce the EPSCoR 
Research and Competitive Act of 2007, and I am proud to have the 
bipartisan support of my colleagues, Senators Snowe, Reed, Hagel, 
Baucus, Roberts, and Cochran.
  The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, EPSCoR, 
is part of the National Science Foundation and is intended to assist 
smaller States competing for research grants that historically have not 
received as much funding from the NSF as larger States. Twenty-six 
States, representing 20 percent of our Nation's population and 25 
percent of our doctoral and research institutions are currently 
eligible for the EPSCoR program yet receive only 10 percent of the 
total NSF research funding. EPSCoR funding provides valuable research 
opportunities in States with unique scientific features. States such as 
West Virginia, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and New Mexico all stand to gain 
from EPSCoR funding, and our country will gain from the scientists and 
innovations made in our States.
  EPSCoR has the additional bonus of having a proven track record. Over 
50 percent of researchers supported by EPSCoR funds have successfully 
competed for non-EPSCoR funding. EPSCoR is also helping drive the 
economy in active States by providing cutting edge job opportunities. 
Seventy-five percent of new technology companies started by university 
research are based in the States where the original research was done.
  In order for our Nation to remain competitive in the global 
marketplace, EPSCoR will play an important role in promoting science 
nationwide. This legislation provides some specifics to meet that goal. 
First off, this bill proposes that the Research Infrastructure 
Improvements Grant increase to $75 million beginning in fiscal year 
2009 and remain at that level through 2012. Secondly, it seeks 20 
percent of the EPSCoR budget for the cofunding program, an innovative 
initiative to help encourage each of the NSF directorates to 
collaborate and fund meritorious projects from the EPSCoR States. 
Thirdly, it encourages the NSF Director to develop creative ways to 
ensure that the EPSCoR States are part of the new major initiatives of 
the foundation, including cyberinfrastructure and major research 
instrumentation.
  The citizens of West Virginia have benefited tremendously as a result 
of this program. Competitive Federal research has increased 68 percent 
in West Virginia since 2001. In 2005 alone, research created more than 
$147 million in economic activity and supported 4,432 jobs. Much like 
other States involved, EPSCoR has been a tremendous boon to our 
flagship higher institutions with West Virginia University and Marshall 
University having worked together through this program to come up with 
innovate solutions like never before. To help ensure that EPSCoR States 
remain competitive, this legislation suggests that EPSCoR grow 
proportionately with the foundation. To achieve our competitiveness 
goals and to increase the numbers of engineers and scientists, every 
State needs to play a role. It is encouraging to note that the 
administration's budget request for this year seeks a $7 million 
increase in EPSCoR.
  Ensuring the economic well-being of all our States is an essential 
part of keeping our entire Nation competitive and EPSCoR is an 
important step in that direction. EPSCoR States are the home for 25 
percent of the doctoral and research universities, and our States train 
nearly 20 percent of our science and engineering graduate students. 
This legislation will help encourage and promote competitiveness.

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