[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 13337-13355]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                21ST CENTURY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2007

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2272) to invest in innovation through research and development, 
and to improve the competitiveness of the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2272

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``21st 
     Century Competitiveness Act of 2007''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 101. Findings.
Sec. 102. Definitions.

                    Subtitle A--Science Scholarships

Sec. 111. Short title.
Sec. 112. Findings.
Sec. 113. Policy objective.
Sec. 114. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.

       Subtitle B--Mathematics and Science Education Improvement

Sec. 121. Mathematics and science education partnerships amendments.
Sec. 122. Teacher institutes.
Sec. 123. Graduate degree program.
Sec. 124. Curricula.
Sec. 125. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent 
              Expansion Program.
Sec. 126. High-need local educational agency definition.
Sec. 127. Teacher leaders.
Sec. 128. Laboratory science pilot program.
Sec. 129. Study on laboratory equipment donations for schools.

               TITLE II--SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. National Science Foundation early career awards for science 
              and engineering researchers.
Sec. 203. Department of Energy early career awards for science and 
              engineering researchers.
Sec. 204. Integrative graduate education and research traineeship 
              program.
Sec. 205. Presidential innovation award.
Sec. 206. National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure.
Sec. 207. Research on innovation and inventiveness.
Sec. 208. Report on National Institute of Standards and Technology 
              efforts to recruit and retain early CAREER science and 
              engineering researchers.
Sec. 209. NASA's contribution to innovation.
Sec. 210. Undergraduate scholarships for science, technology, 
              engineering, and mathematics.

                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 301. Short title.

[[Page 13338]]

Sec. 302. Definitions.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 304. Centers for research on learning and education improvement.
Sec. 305. Interdisciplinary research.
Sec. 306. Pilot program of grants for new investigators.
Sec. 307. Broader impacts merit review criterion.
Sec. 308. Postdoctoral research fellows.
Sec. 309. Responsible conduct of research.
Sec. 310. Reporting of research results.
Sec. 311. Sharing research results.
Sec. 312. Funding for successful stem education programs.
Sec. 313. Cost sharing.
Sec. 314. Donations.
Sec. 315. Additional reports.
Sec. 316. Administrative amendments.
Sec. 317. National Science Board reports.
Sec. 318. National Academy of Science Report on Diversity in STEM 
              fields.
Sec. 319. Sense of the Congress regarding the mathematics and science 
              partnership programs of the Department of Education and 
              the National Science Foundation.
Sec. 320. Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program.
Sec. 321. Communications training for scientists.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 401. Short title.

              Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations

Sec. 411. Scientific and technical research and services.
Sec. 412. Industrial technology services.

          Subtitle B--Innovation and Technology Policy Reforms

Sec. 421. Institute-wide planning report.
Sec. 422. Report by Visiting Committee.
Sec. 423. Manufacturing extension partnership.
Sec. 424. Technology Innovation Program.
Sec. 425. Research fellowships.
Sec. 426. Collaborative manufacturing research pilot grants.
Sec. 427. Manufacturing fellowship program.
Sec. 428. Meetings of Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.
Sec. 429. Manufacturing research database.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

Sec. 441. Post-doctoral fellows.
Sec. 442. Financial agreements clarification.
Sec. 443. Working capital fund transfers.
Sec. 444. Retention of depreciation surcharge.
Sec. 445. Non-Energy Inventions Program.
Sec. 446. Redefinition of the metric system.
Sec. 447. Repeal of redundant and obsolete authority.
Sec. 448. Clarification of standard time and time zones.
Sec. 449. Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.
Sec. 450. Malcolm Baldrige awards.

                  TITLE V--HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING

Sec. 501. High-performance computing research and development program.
Sec. 502. Definitions.

TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT

     SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The National Science Foundation has made significant 
     and valuable contributions to the improvement of K-12 and 
     undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics education throughout its 56 year history.
       (2) Under section 3 of the National Science Foundation Act 
     of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1862), the National Science Foundation is 
     explicitly required to strengthen science, mathematics, and 
     engineering research potential and education programs at all 
     levels.

     SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) The term ``cost of attendance'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
       (2) The term ``Director'' means the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation.
       (3) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (4) The term ``mathematics and science teacher'' means a 
     mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary 
     school or secondary school level.

                    Subtitle A--Science Scholarships

     SEC. 111. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``10,000 Teachers, 10 
     Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act''.

     SEC. 112. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The prosperity the United States enjoys today is due in 
     no small part to investments the Nation has made in research 
     and development over the past 50 years.
       (2) Corporate, government, and national scientific and 
     technical leaders have raised concerns that current trends 
     affecting the science and technology enterprise of the Nation 
     could result in erosion of this past success and jeopardize 
     future prosperity.
       (3) The National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy 
     of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine were tasked in 
     a congressional request to recommend actions that the Federal 
     Government could take to enhance the science and technology 
     enterprise so that the United States can successfully 
     compete, prosper, and be secure in the global community of 
     the 21st century.
       (4) The Academies' highest priority recommendation in its 
     report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and 
     Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future'', is to 
     improve K-12 mathematics and science education, and the 
     Academies' first recommended action item is to institute a 
     major scholarship program to recruit and educate annually 
     10,000 mathematics and science teachers.

     SEC. 113. POLICY OBJECTIVE.

       In carrying out the program under section 10 of the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002, the 
     National Science Foundation shall seek to increase by up to 
     10,000 per year the number of elementary and secondary 
     mathematics and science teachers in the Nation's schools 
     having both exemplary subject knowledge and pedagogical 
     skills.

     SEC. 114. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

       (a) Program Amendments.--Section 10 of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1) is 
     amended--
       (1) by inserting ``teacher'' after ``noyce'' in the section 
     heading;
       (2) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``to provide scholarships, stipends, and 
     programming designed'';
       (B) by inserting ``and to provide scholarships and stipends 
     to students participating in the program'' after ``science 
     teachers''; and
       (C) by inserting ``Teacher'' after ``Noyce'';
       (3) in subsection (a)(3)(A)--
       (A) by striking ``encourage top college juniors and 
     seniors'' and inserting ``recruit and prepare undergraduate 
     students''; and
       (B) by inserting ``qualified as'' after ``to become'';
       (4) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii)--
       (A) by striking ``programs to help scholarship recipients'' 
     and inserting ``academic courses and early field teaching 
     experiences designed to prepare students participating in the 
     program'';
       (B) by striking ``programs that will result in'' and 
     inserting ``such preparation as is necessary to meet 
     requirements for''; and
       (C) by striking ``licensing; and'' and inserting 
     ``licensing;'';
       (5) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(iii)--
       (A) by striking ``scholarship recipients'' and inserting 
     ``students participating in the program'';
       (B) by striking ``enable the recipients'' and inserting 
     ``enable the students''; and
       (C) by striking ``; or'' and inserting ``; and'';
       (6) in subsection (a)(3)(A) by inserting at the end the 
     following new clause:
       ``(iv) providing summer internships for freshman students 
     participating in the program; or'';
       (7) in subsection (a)(3)(B)--
       (A) by striking ``encourage'' and inserting ``recruit and 
     prepare''; and
       (B) by inserting ``qualified as'' after ``to become'';
       (8) by amending clause (ii) of subsection (a)(3)(B) to read 
     as follows:
       ``(ii) offering academic courses and field teaching 
     experiences designed to prepare stipend recipients to teach 
     in elementary schools and secondary schools, including such 
     preparation as is necessary to meet requirements for teacher 
     certification or licensing; and'';
       (9) in subsection (a) by inserting at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(4) Eligibility requirement.--To be eligible for an award 
     under this section, an institution of higher education (or 
     consortia of such institutions) shall ensure that specific 
     faculty members and staff from the institution's mathematics, 
     science, or engineering departments and specific education 
     faculty are designated to carry out the development and 
     implementation of the program. An institution of higher 
     education may also include teacher leaders to participate in 
     developing the pedagogical content of the program and to 
     supervise students participating in the program in their 
     field teaching experiences. No institution of higher 
     education shall be eligible for an award unless faculty from 
     the institution's mathematics, science, or engineering 
     departments are active participants in the program.
       ``(5) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Director shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are 
     from a variety of types of institutions of higher education. 
     In support of this goal, the Director shall broadly 
     disseminate information about when and how to apply for 
     grants under this section, including by conducting outreach 
     to Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part 
     B institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority 
     institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1067k(3))).'';

[[Page 13339]]

       (10) in subsection (b)(1)(A)--
       (A) by striking ``scholarship or stipend'';
       (B) by inserting ``and summer internships'' after ``number 
     of scholarships''; and
       (C) by inserting ``the type of activities proposed for the 
     recruitment of students to the program,'' after ``intends to 
     award,'';
       (11) in subsection (b)(1)(B)--
       (A) by striking ``scholarship or stipend''; and
       (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``, which may 
     include a description of any existing programs at the 
     applicant's institution that are targeted to the education of 
     mathematics and science teachers and the number of teachers 
     graduated annually from such programs;'';
       (12) in subsection (b)(1), by striking subparagraph (C) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(C) a description of the academic courses and field 
     teaching experiences required under subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) 
     and (B)(ii), including--
       ``(i) a description of the undergraduate program that will 
     enable a student to graduate within 5 years with a major in 
     mathematics, science, or engineering and to obtain teacher 
     certification or licensing;
       ``(ii) a description of the field teaching experiences 
     proposed; and
       ``(iii) evidence of agreements between the applicant and 
     the schools or school districts that are identified as the 
     locations at which field teaching experiences will occur;
       ``(D) a description of the programs required under 
     subsection (a)(3)(A)(iii) and (B)(iii), including activities 
     to assist new teachers in fulfilling their service 
     requirements under this section; and
       ``(E) an identification of the applicant's mathematics, 
     science, or engineering faculty and its education faculty who 
     will carry out the development and implementation of the 
     program as required under subsection (a)(4).'';
       (13) in subsection (b)(2)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) 
     as subparagraphs (C), (D), (E) and (F), respectively;
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) a new subparagraph 
     as follows:
       ``(B) the extent to which the applicant's mathematics, 
     science, or engineering faculty and its education faculty 
     have worked or will work collaboratively to design new or 
     revised curricula that recognizes the specialized pedagogy 
     required to teach mathematics, science, and technology 
     effectively in elementary and secondary schools;''; and
       (C) by amending subparagraph (F), as so redesignated by 
     subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, to read as follows:
       ``(F) the ability of the applicant to recruit students who 
     are individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science 
     and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 
     1885b).'';
       (14) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``2 years'' and 
     inserting ``3 years'';
       (15) in subsection (c)(3)--
       (A) by striking ``$7,500'' and inserting ``$10,000''; and
       (B) by striking ``2 years of scholarship support'' and 
     inserting ``3 years of scholarship support, unless the 
     Director establishes a policy by which part-time students may 
     receive additional years of support'';
       (16) in subsection (c)(4)--
       (A) by striking ``6 years'' and inserting ``8 years'';
       (B) by inserting ``, with a maximum service requirement of 
     6 years'' after ``was received''; and
       (C) by striking ``Service required under this paragraph 
     shall be performed in a high-need local educational 
     agency.'';
       (17) in subsection (c), by adding at the end a new 
     paragraph as follows:
       ``(5) Exception.--The period of service obligation under 
     paragraph (4) is reduced by 1 year for scholarship recipients 
     whose service is performed in a high-need local educational 
     agency. The Director shall establish and maintain a central 
     clearinghouse of information on teaching opportunities 
     available in high-need local educational agencies throughout 
     the United States, which shall be made available to 
     individuals having a service obligation under this 
     section.'';
       (18) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``to receive 
     certification or licensing to teach'' and inserting 
     ``established under subsection (a)(3)(B)'';
       (19) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``and professional 
     achievement'' after ``academic merit'';
       (20) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``1 year'' and 
     inserting ``16 months'';
       (21) in subsection (d)(4)--
       (A) by striking ``6 years'' and inserting ``4 years''; and
       (B) by striking ``for each year a stipend was received'';
       (22) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by inserting ``or section 10A'' after ``under this 
     section''; and
       (B) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``or section 10A'' after 
     ``subsection (d)'';
       (23) in subsection (f)(1), by inserting ``or section 10A'' 
     after ``under this section'';
       (24) in subsection (g)(2)(A)--
       (A) by striking ``Treasurer of the United States,'' and 
     inserting ``Treasurer of the United States.''; and
       (B) by striking ``multiplied by 2.'';
       (25) in subsection (h), by inserting ``or section 10A'' 
     after ``under this section'';
       (26) in subsection (i)(3), by inserting ``or had a career 
     in'' after ``is working in'';
       (27) in subsection (i)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
       (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or section 10A'' after 
     ``subsection (d)'';
       (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) the term `teacher leader' means a mathematics or 
     science teacher who works to improve the instruction of 
     mathematics or science in kindergarten through grade 12 
     through--
       ``(A) participating in the development or revision of 
     science, mathematics, engineering, or technology curricula;
       ``(B) serving as a mentor to mathematics or science 
     teachers;
       ``(C) coordinating and assisting teachers in the use of 
     hands-on inquiry materials, equipment, and supplies, and when 
     appropriate, supervising acquisition and repair of such 
     materials;
       ``(D) providing in-classroom teaching assistance to 
     mathematics or science teachers; and
       ``(E) providing professional development, for the purposes 
     of training other teacher leaders, to mathematics and science 
     teachers.''; and
       (28) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Mathematics and Science Scholarship Gift Fund.--In 
     accordance with section 11(f) of the National Science 
     Foundation Act of 1950, the Director is authorized to accept 
     donations from the private sector to support scholarships, 
     stipends, or internships associated with programs under this 
     section.
       ``(k) Assessment of Teacher Service and Retention.--Not 
     later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this 
     subsection, the Director shall transmit to Congress a report 
     on the effectiveness of the program carried out under this 
     section. The report shall include the proportion of 
     individuals receiving scholarships or stipends under the 
     program who--
       ``(1) fulfill their service obligation required under this 
     section in a high-need local educational agency;
       ``(2) elect to fulfill their service obligation in a high-
     need local educational agency but fail to complete it, as 
     defined in subsection (g);
       ``(3) remain in the teaching profession beyond their 
     service obligation; and
       ``(4) remain in the teaching profession in a high-need 
     local educational agency beyond their service obligation.''.
       (b) Special Partnership Program for Stipends.--The National 
     Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after section 10 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 10A. SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR STIPENDS.

       ``(a) In General.--As part of the Robert Noyce Teacher 
     Scholarship Program established under section 10, the 
     Director shall establish a separate type of award for 
     eligible entities described in subsection (b). Stipends under 
     this section shall be available only to mathematics, science, 
     and engineering professionals who, while receiving the 
     stipend, are enrolled in a program to receive certification 
     or licensing to teach.
       ``(b) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible to receive a 
     grant under this section, an institution of higher education 
     (or consortia of such institutions) shall enter into a 
     partnership with one or more private sector nonprofit 
     organizations, local or State government organizations, and 
     businesses. The members of the partnership shall provide the 
     teaching supplements described in subsection (f).
       ``(c) Use of Grants.--Grants provided under this section 
     shall be used by institutions of higher education or 
     consortia to develop and implement a program to encourage 
     science, mathematics, or engineering professionals to become 
     qualified as mathematics and science teachers, through--
       ``(1) administering stipends in accordance with this 
     section;
       ``(2) offering academic courses and field teaching 
     experiences designed to prepare stipend recipients to teach 
     in elementary and secondary schools, including such 
     preparation as is necessary to meet the requirements for 
     certification or licensing; and
       ``(3) offering programs to stipend recipients, both during 
     and after matriculation in the program for which the stipend 
     is received, to enable recipients to become better 
     mathematics and science teachers, to fulfill the service 
     requirements of this section, and to exchange ideas with 
     others in their fields.
       ``(d) Selection Process.--
       ``(1) Merit review.--Grants shall be provided under this 
     section on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
       ``(2) Applications.--An eligible institution of higher 
     education or consortium seeking funding under this section 
     shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Director 
     may require. The application shall include, at a minimum--
       ``(A) a description of the program that the applicant 
     intends to operate, including the number of stipends the 
     applicant intends to award, the type of activities proposed 
     for the

[[Page 13340]]

     recruitment of students to the program, and the amount of the 
     teaching supplements to be provided in accordance with 
     subsection (f);
       ``(B) a description of the selection process that will be 
     used in awarding stipends, including a description of the 
     rigorous, nationally recognized test that will be 
     administered during the selection process in order to 
     determine whether individuals applying for stipends have 
     advanced content knowledge of science or mathematics;
       ``(C) evidence that the applicant has the capability to 
     administer the program in accordance with the provisions of 
     this section, which may include a description of any existing 
     programs at the applicant's institution that are targeted to 
     the education of mathematics and science teachers and the 
     number of teachers graduated annually from such programs;
       ``(D) a description of the academic courses and field 
     teaching experiences described in subsection (c)(2), 
     including--
       ``(i) a description of an educational program that will 
     enable a student to obtain teacher certification or licensing 
     within 16 months; and
       ``(ii) evidence of agreements between the applicant and the 
     schools or school districts that are identified as the 
     locations at which field teaching experiences will occur;
       ``(E) a description of the programs described in subsection 
     (c)(3), including activities to assist new teachers in 
     fulfilling their service requirements under this section; and
       ``(F) evidence that the partnership will provide the 
     teaching supplements required under subsection (f).
       ``(3) Criteria.--In evaluating the applications submitted 
     under paragraph (2), the Director shall consider, at a 
     minimum--
       ``(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out 
     the program and to meet the requirement of subsection (f);
       ``(B) the extent to which the applicant's mathematics, 
     science, or engineering faculty and its education faculty 
     have worked or will work collaboratively to design new or 
     revised curricula that recognizes the specialized pedagogy 
     required to teach mathematics and science effectively in 
     elementary and secondary schools;
       ``(C) the extent to which the applicant is committed to 
     making the program a central organizational focus;
       ``(D) the degree to which the proposed programming will 
     enable stipend recipients to become successful mathematics 
     and science teachers;
       ``(E) the number and quality of the students that will be 
     served by the program; and
       ``(F) the ability of the applicant to recruit students who 
     would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching.
       ``(e) Stipends.--Individuals shall be selected to receive 
     stipends under this section primarily on the basis of their 
     content knowledge of science or mathematics as demonstrated 
     by their performance on a test designated in accordance with 
     subsection (d)(2)(B). Among individuals demonstrating 
     equivalent content knowledge, consideration may be given to 
     financial need and to the goal of promoting the participation 
     of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science 
     and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 
     1885b).
       ``(f) Teaching Supplements.--The members of a partnership 
     shall identify a source of non-Federal funding to provide 
     salary supplements to individuals who participate in the 
     program under this section during the period of their service 
     obligation under subsection (h).
       ``(g) Amount and Duration.--Stipends under this section 
     shall be not less than $10,000 per year, except that no 
     individual shall receive for any year more than the cost of 
     attendance at that individual's institution. Individuals may 
     receive a maximum of 16 months of stipend support.
       ``(h) Service Obligation.--If an individual receives a 
     stipend under this section, that individual shall be required 
     to complete, within 6 years after completion of the 
     educational program for which the stipend was awarded, 4 
     years of service as a mathematics or science teacher in a 
     public secondary school.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(6) of the National 
     Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--
       (1) in the paragraph heading by inserting ``Teacher'' after 
     ``Noyce''; and
       (2) by inserting ``Teacher'' after ``Noyce''.

       Subtitle B--Mathematics and Science Education Improvement

     SEC. 121. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       Section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
     Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2)--
       (A) by striking ``(A)'';
       (B) by striking subparagraph (B);
       (C) by inserting ``, through 1 or more of its departments 
     in science, mathematics, or engineering,'' after 
     ``institution of higher education''; and
       (D) by striking ``a State educational agency'' and 
     inserting ``education faculty from the participating 
     institution or institutions of higher education, a State 
     educational agency,'';
       (2) in subsection (a)(3)(B)--
       (A) by inserting ``content-specific'' before ``professional 
     development programs'';
       (B) by inserting ``which are'' before ``designed''; and
       (C) by inserting ``and which may include teacher training 
     activities to prepare mathematics and science teachers to 
     teach challenging mathematics, science, and technology 
     college-preparatory courses, including Advanced Placement and 
     International Baccalaureate courses'' after ``and science 
     teachers'';
       (3) in subsection (a)(3)(C)--
       (A) by inserting ``and laboratory experiences'' after 
     ``technology''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and laboratory'' after ``provide 
     technical'';
       (4) in subsection (a)(3)(I) by inserting ``including model 
     induction programs for teachers in their first 2 years of 
     teaching,'' after ``and science,'';
       (5) in subsection (a)(3)(K) by striking ``developing and 
     offering mathematics or science enrichment programs for 
     students, including after-school and summer programs;'' and 
     inserting ``developing educational programs and materials and 
     conducting mathematics, science, and technology enrichment 
     programs for students, including after-school programs and 
     summer camps for students described in subsection 
     (b)(2)(G);'';
       (6) in subsection (a) by inserting at the end the 
     following:
       ``(8) Master's degree programs.--Activities carried out in 
     accordance with paragraph (3)(B) shall include the 
     development and offering of master's degree programs for in-
     service mathematics and science teachers that will strengthen 
     their subject area knowledge and pedagogical skills, as 
     described in section 123 of the Act enacting this paragraph. 
     Grants provided under this section may be used to develop and 
     implement courses of instruction for the master's degree 
     programs, which may involve online learning, and develop 
     related educational materials.
       ``(9) Mentors for teachers and students of challenging 
     courses.--Partnerships carrying out activities to prepare 
     mathematics and science teachers to teach challenging 
     mathematics, science, and technology college-preparatory 
     courses, including Advanced Placement and International 
     Baccalaureate courses, in accordance with paragraph (3)(B) 
     shall encourage companies employing scientists, 
     mathematicians, or engineers to provide mentors to teachers 
     and students and provide for the coordination of such 
     mentoring activities.
       ``(10) Inventiveness.--Activities carried out in accordance 
     with paragraph (3)(H) may include the development and 
     dissemination of curriculum tools that will help foster 
     inventiveness and innovation.'';
       (7) in subsection (b)(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) 
     and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively, and 
     inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(E) the extent to which the evaluation described in 
     paragraph (1)(E) will be independent and based on objective 
     measures;'';
       (8) in subsection (b) by inserting at the end the 
     following:
       ``(4) Minimum and maximum grant size.--A grant awarded 
     under this section shall be not less than $75,000 or greater 
     than $2,000,000 for any fiscal year.'';
       (9) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2);
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as 
     paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(2) Report on model projects.--The Director shall 
     determine which completed projects funded through the program 
     under this section should be seen as models to be replicated 
     on a more expansive basis at the State or national levels. 
     Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     paragraph, the Director shall transmit a report describing 
     the results of this study to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology and the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
     House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
       ``(3) Report on evaluations.--Not later than 4 years after 
     the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Director shall 
     transmit a report summarizing the evaluations required under 
     subsection (b)(1)(E) of grants received under this program 
     and describing any changes to the program recommended as a 
     result of these evaluations to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology and the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
     House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. Such report 
     shall be made widely available to the public.''; and
       (10) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `mathematics and science teacher' means a 
     mathematics, science, or

[[Page 13341]]

     technology teacher at the elementary school or secondary 
     school level; and
       ``(2) the term `science', in the context of elementary and 
     secondary education, includes technology and pre-
     engineering.''.

     SEC. 122. TEACHER INSTITUTES.

       (a) National Science Foundation Institutes.--
       (1) In general.--The Director shall establish a grant 
     program to provide for summer or academic year teacher 
     institutes or workshops authorized by section 9(a)(3)(B) of 
     the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
     U.S.C. 1862n(a)(3)(B)) and shall allow grantees under the 
     Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century program to operate 1 
     to 2 week summer teacher institutes with the goal of reaching 
     the maximum number of in-service mathematics and science 
     teachers, particularly elementary and middle school teachers, 
     to improve their content knowledge and pedagogical skills.
       (2) Preparation to teach challenging courses.--The Director 
     shall ensure that activities supported for awards under 
     paragraph (1) include the development and implementation of 
     teacher training activities to prepare mathematics and 
     science teachers to teach challenging mathematics, science, 
     and technology college-preparatory courses, including 
     Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
       (3) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Director shall give priority to applications that propose 
     programs that will attract mathematics and science teachers 
     from local educational agencies that--
       (A) are receiving grants under title I of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq) 
     as a result of having within their jurisdictions 
     concentrations of children from low income families; and
       (B) are experiencing a shortage of highly qualified 
     teachers, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), in the 
     fields of science, mathematics, or technology.
       (b) Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development.--
     There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Energy for the Laboratory Science Teacher Professional 
     Development program, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, 
     $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2010, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2012.

     SEC. 123. GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Director shall ensure that master's 
     degree programs for in-service mathematics and science 
     teachers that will strengthen their subject area knowledge 
     and pedagogical skills are instituted in accordance with 
     section 9(a)(8) of the National Science Foundation 
     Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n(a)(8)). The degree 
     programs shall be designed for current teachers, who will 
     enroll as part-time students, and to allow participants to 
     obtain master's degrees within a period of 3 years.
       (b) Distribution of Awards.--The Director shall, in 
     awarding grants to carry out subsection (a), consider the 
     distribution of awards among institutions of higher education 
     of different sizes and geographic locations.
       (c) Program Activities.--Activities supported through 
     master's degree programs established under subsection (a) may 
     include--
       (1) development of courses of instruction and related 
     educational materials;
       (2) stipends to defray the cost of attendance for students 
     in the degree program; and
       (3) acquisition of computer and networking equipment needed 
     for online instruction under the degree program.

     SEC. 124. CURRICULA.

       Nothing in this title, or the amendments made by this 
     title, shall be construed to limit the authority of State 
     governments or local school boards to determine the curricula 
     of their students.

     SEC. 125. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS 
                   TALENT EXPANSION PROGRAM.

       (a) Amendments.--Section 8(7) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``competitive, merit-
     based'' and all that follows through ``in recent years.'' and 
     inserting ``competitive, merit-reviewed multiyear grants for 
     eligible applicants to improve undergraduate education in 
     science, mathematics, engineering, and technology through--
       ``(i) the creation of programs to increase the number of 
     students studying toward and completing associate's or 
     bachelor's degrees in science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics, particularly in fields that have faced declining 
     enrollment in recent years; and
       ``(ii) the creation of centers (in this paragraph referred 
     to as `Centers') to develop undergraduate curriculum, 
     teaching methods for undergraduate courses, and methods to 
     better train professors and teaching assistants who teach 
     undergraduate courses to increase the number of students 
     completing undergraduate courses in science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics, including the number of 
     nonmajors, and to improve student academic achievement in 
     those courses.

     Grants made under clause (ii) shall be awarded jointly 
     through the Education and Human Resources Directorate and at 
     least 1 research directorate of the Foundation.'';
       (2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) In selecting projects under subparagraph (A)(i), the 
     Director shall strive to increase the number of students 
     studying toward and completing baccalaureate degrees, 
     concentrations, or certificates in science, mathematics, 
     engineering, or technology who are--
       ``(i) individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the 
     Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1885a or 1885b); or
       ``(ii) graduates of a secondary school that is administered 
     by a local educational agency that is receiving grants under 
     title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq) as a result of having within its 
     jurisdiction concentrations of children from low income 
     families.'';
       (3) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``The types of'';
       (B) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vi) as subclauses 
     (I) through (VI), respectively;
       (C) by striking ``under this paragraph'' and inserting 
     ``under subparagraph (A)(i)''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(ii) The types of activities the Foundation may support 
     under subparagraph (A)(ii) include--
       ``(I) creating model curricula and laboratory programs;
       ``(II) developing and demonstrating research-based 
     instructional methods and technologies;
       ``(III) developing methods to train graduate students and 
     faculty to be more effective teachers of undergraduates;
       ``(IV) conducting programs to disseminate curricula, 
     instructional methods, or training methods to faculty at the 
     grantee institutions and at other institutions;
       ``(V) conducting assessments of the effectiveness of the 
     Center at accomplishing the goals described in subparagraph 
     (A)(ii); and
       ``(VI) conducting any other activities the Director 
     determines will accomplish the goals described in 
     subparagraph (A)(ii).'';
       (4) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ``under this 
     paragraph'' and inserting ``under subparagraph (A)(i)'';
       (5) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ``under this 
     paragraph'' and inserting ``under subparagraph (A)(i)'';
       (6) after subparagraph (D)(iii), by adding at the end the 
     following new clause:
       ``(iv) A grant under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be awarded 
     for 5 years, and the Director may extend such a grant for up 
     to 2 additional 3 year periods.'';
       (7) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``under this 
     paragraph'' both places it appears and inserting ``under 
     subparagraph (A)(i)'';
       (8) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (J); 
     and
       (9) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(F) Grants awarded under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be 
     carried out by a department or departments of science, 
     mathematics, or engineering at institutions of higher 
     education (or a consortia thereof), which may partner with 
     education faculty. Applications for awards under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii) shall be submitted to the Director at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Director 
     may require. At a minimum, the application shall include--
       ``(i) a description of the activities to be carried out by 
     the Center;
       ``(ii) a plan for disseminating programs related to the 
     activities carried out by the Center to faculty at the 
     grantee institution and at other institutions;
       ``(iii) an estimate of the number of faculty, graduate 
     students (if any), and undergraduate students who will be 
     affected by the activities carried out by the Center; and
       ``(iv) a plan for assessing the effectiveness of the Center 
     at accomplishing the goals described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
       ``(G) In evaluating the applications submitted under 
     subparagraph (F), the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
       ``(i) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out 
     the proposed activities, including the dissemination 
     activities described in subparagraph (C)(ii)(IV); and
       ``(ii) the extent to which the faculty, staff, and 
     administrators of the applicant institution are committed to 
     improving undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering 
     education.
       ``(H) In awarding grants under subparagraph (A)(ii), the 
     Director shall endeavor to ensure that a wide variety of 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and 
     types of institutions of higher education, including 2-year 
     colleges and minority-serving institutions, are covered, and 
     that--
       ``(i) at least 1 Center is housed at a Doctoral/Research 
     University as defined by the Carnegie Foundation for the 
     Advancement of Teaching; and
       ``(ii) at least 1 Center is focused on improving 
     undergraduate education in an interdisciplinary area.
       ``(I) The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the 
     awardees under this paragraph to foster collaboration and to 
     disseminate the results of the Centers and the other 
     activities funded under this paragraph.''.
       (b) Report on Data Collection.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
     transmit

[[Page 13342]]

     to Congress a report on how the Director is determining 
     whether current grant recipients in the Science, Technology, 
     Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program are 
     making satisfactory progress as required by section 
     8(7)(D)(ii) of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
     Act of 2002 and what funding actions have been taken as a 
     result of the Director's determinations.

     SEC. 126. HIGH-NEED LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY DEFINITION.

       Section 4(8) of the National Science Foundation 
     Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note) is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(8) High-need local educational agency.--The term `high-
     need local educational agency' means a local educational 
     agency that--
       ``(A) is receiving grants under title I of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq) 
     as a result of having within its jurisdiction concentrations 
     of children from low income families; and
       ``(B) is experiencing a shortage of highly qualified 
     teachers, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), in the 
     fields of science, mathematics, or engineering.''.

     SEC. 127. TEACHER LEADERS.

       The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 4(11)--
       (A) by striking ``master teacher'' and inserting ``teacher 
     leader'';
       (B) by striking ``master teacher'' and inserting ``teacher 
     leader''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``master teachers'' 
     and inserting ``teacher leaders''; and
       (2) in section 9--
       (A) in subsection (a)(3)(E), by striking ``master 
     teachers'' and inserting ``teacher leaders''; and
       (B) in subsection (a)(4)--
       (i) by striking ``master teachers'' and inserting ``teacher 
     leaders''; and
       (ii) by striking ``master teachers'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``teacher leaders''.

     SEC. 128. LABORATORY SCIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) To remain competitive in science and technology in the 
     global economy, the United States must increase the number of 
     students graduating from high school prepared to pursue 
     postsecondary education in science, technology, engineering, 
     and mathematics.
       (2) There is broad agreement in the scientific community 
     that learning science requires direct involvement by students 
     in scientific inquiry and that laboratory experience is so 
     integral to the nature of science that it must be included in 
     every science program for every science student.
       (3) In America's Lab Report, the National Research Council 
     concluded that the current quality of laboratory experiences 
     is poor for most students and that educators and researchers 
     do not agree on how to define high school science 
     laboratories or on their purpose, hampering the accumulation 
     of research on how to improve labs.
       (4) The National Research Council found that schools with 
     higher concentrations of non-Asian minorities and schools 
     with higher concentrations of poor students are less likely 
     to have adequate laboratory facilities than other schools.
       (5) The Government Accountability Office reported that 49.1 
     percent of schools where the minority student population is 
     greater than 50.5 percent reported not meeting functional 
     requirements for laboratory science well or at all.
       (6) 40 percent of those college students who left the 
     science fields reported some problems related to high school 
     science preparation, including lack of laboratory experience 
     and no introduction to theoretical or to analytical modes of 
     thought.
       (7) It is in the national interest for the Federal 
     Government to invest in research and demonstration projects 
     to improve the teaching of laboratory science in the Nation's 
     high schools.
       (b) Grant Program.--Section 8(8) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as 
     clauses (i) through (vi), respectively;
       (2) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``A program of 
     competitive''; and
       (3) by inserting at the end the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(B) In accordance with subparagraph (A)(v), the Director 
     shall establish a research pilot program designated as 
     `Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science' to award 
     grants to partnerships to improve laboratories and provide 
     instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance 
     the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and 
     technology instruction at the secondary school level. Grants 
     under this subparagraph may be used for--
       ``(i) purchase, rental, or leasing of equipment, 
     instrumentation, and other scientific educational materials;
       ``(ii) maintenance, renovation, and improvement of 
     laboratory facilities;
       ``(iii) development of instructional programs designed to 
     integrate the laboratory experience with classroom 
     instruction and to be consistent with State mathematics and 
     science academic achievement standards;
       ``(iv) training in laboratory safety for school personnel;
       ``(v) design and implementation of hands-on laboratory 
     experiences to encourage the interest of individuals 
     identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering 
     Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in 
     mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and help 
     prepare such individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in 
     these fields; and
       ``(vi) assessment of the activities funded under this 
     subparagraph.
       ``(C) Grants may be made under subparagraph (B) only to a 
     partnership--
       ``(i) for a project that includes significant teacher 
     training and professional development components; or
       ``(ii) that establishes that appropriate teacher training 
     and professional development is being addressed, or has been 
     addressed, through other means.
       ``(D) Grants awarded under subparagraph (B) shall be to a 
     partnership that--
       ``(i) includes an institution of higher education or a 
     community college;
       ``(ii) includes a high-need local educational agency;
       ``(iii) includes a business or eligible nonprofit 
     organization; and
       ``(iv) may include a State educational agency, other public 
     agency, National Laboratory, or community-based organization.
       ``(E) The Federal share of the cost of activities carried 
     out using amounts from a grant under subparagraph (B) shall 
     not exceed 50 percent.
       ``(F) The Director shall require grant recipients to submit 
     a report to the Director on the results of the project 
     supported by the grant.''.
       (c) Report.--The Director shall evaluate the effectiveness 
     of activities carried out under the research pilot projects 
     funded by the grant program established pursuant to the 
     amendment made by subsection (b) in improving student 
     performance in mathematics, science, engineering, and 
     technology. A report documenting the results of that 
     evaluation shall be submitted to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committees 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate not later than 5 
     years after the date of enactment of this Act. The report 
     shall identify best practices and materials developed and 
     demonstrated by grant awardees.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--From the amount 
     authorized in section 303(a)(2)(B), (b)(2)(B), and (c)(2)(B) 
     of this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
     out this section and the amendments made by this section 
     $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be 
     necessary for each of the 2 succeeding fiscal years.

     SEC. 129. STUDY ON LABORATORY EQUIPMENT DONATIONS FOR 
                   SCHOOLS.

       Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director shall transmit a report to the Congress 
     examining the extent to which institutions of higher 
     education are donating used laboratory equipment to 
     elementary and secondary schools. The Director, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall survey 
     institutions of higher education to determine--
       (1) how often, how much, and what type of equipment is 
     donated;
       (2) what criteria or guidelines the institutions are using 
     to determine what types of equipment can be donated, what 
     condition the equipment should be in, and which schools 
     receive the equipment;
       (3) whether the institutions provide any support to, or 
     follow-up with the schools; and
       (4) how appropriate donations can be encouraged.

               TITLE II--SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Sowing the Seeds Through 
     Science and Engineering Research Act''.

     SEC. 202. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR 
                   SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall carry out a program to award grants to 
     scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers 
     at institutions of higher education and organizations 
     described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in fields 
     relevant to the mission of the Foundation. The existing 
     Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program may be 
     designated as the mechanism for awarding such grants.
       (b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards 
     under this section shall be 5 years, and the amount per year 
     shall be at least $80,000.
       (c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who 
     are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant 
     professor or equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent 
     position, at--
       (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
     States; or

[[Page 13343]]

       (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
     nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
     museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
       (d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a 
     competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
       (e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An 
     applicant seeking funding under this section shall submit a 
     proposal to the Director at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Director may require. In 
     evaluating the proposals submitted under this section, the 
     Director shall consider, at a minimum--
       (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
       (2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed 
     research;
       (3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research 
     and education, including undergraduate education in science 
     and engineering disciplines; and
       (4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 
     frontiers of knowledge.
       (f) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Director shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are 
     from a variety of types of institutions of higher education 
     and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations. In 
     support of this goal, the Director shall broadly disseminate 
     information about when and how to apply for grants under this 
     section, including by conducting outreach to Historically 
     Black Colleges and Universities that are part B institutions 
     as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as 
     defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). 
     In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall 
     give special consideration to eligible early-career 
     researchers who have followed alternative career paths such 
     as working part-time or in nonacademic settings, or who have 
     taken a significant career break or other leave of absence.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriation.--For each of the fiscal 
     years 2008 through 2012, the Director shall allocate at least 
     3.5 percent of funds appropriated to the National Science 
     Foundation for Research and Related Activities to the grants 
     program under this section, except to the extent that a 
     sufficient number of meritorious grant applications have not 
     been received for a fiscal year.
       (h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the 
     distribution of the institutions from which individuals have 
     participated in the Faculty Early Career Development Program 
     since fiscal year 2001 among each of the categories of 
     institutions of higher education defined by the Carnegie 
     Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the 
     organizations in subsection (c)(2).
       (i) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating the 
     impact of the program carried out under this section on the 
     ability of young faculty to compete for National Science 
     Foundation research grants.

     SEC. 203. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR 
                   SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science of 
     the Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award 
     grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of 
     their careers at institutions of higher education and 
     organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct 
     research in fields relevant to the mission of the Department, 
     giving priority to grants to expand domestic energy 
     production and use through coal-to-liquids technology and 
     advanced nuclear reprocessing.
       (b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards 
     under this section shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per 
     year shall be at least $80,000.
       (c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who 
     are employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant 
     professor or equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent 
     position, at--
       (1) an institution of higher education in the United 
     States; or
       (2) an organization in the United States that is a 
     nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a 
     museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
       (d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a 
     competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
       (e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An 
     applicant seeking funding under this section shall submit a 
     proposal to the Director of the Office of Science at such 
     time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Director may require. In evaluating the proposals submitted 
     under this section, the Director shall consider, at a 
     minimum--
       (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
       (2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed 
     research;
       (3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research 
     and education, including undergraduate education in science 
     and engineering disciplines; and
       (4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the 
     frontiers of knowledge.
       (f) Collaboration With National Laboratories.--In awarding 
     grants under this section, the Director shall give priority 
     to proposals in which the proposed work includes 
     collaboration with the Department of Energy National 
     Laboratories.
       (g) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Director shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are 
     from a variety of types of institutions of higher education 
     and nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations. In 
     support of this goal, the Director shall broadly disseminate 
     information about when and how to apply for grants under this 
     section, including by conducting outreach to Historically 
     Black Colleges and Universities that are part B institutions 
     as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as 
     defined in section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
       (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out 
     the Director's responsibilities under this section 
     $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
       (i) Report on Recruiting and Retaining Early Career Science 
     and Engineering Researchers at the National Laboratories.--
     Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of the Office of Science shall transmit to 
     the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report on efforts to recruit and 
     retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of 
     their careers at the Department of Energy National 
     Laboratories. The report shall include--
       (1) a description of Department of Energy and National 
     Laboratory policies and procedures, including financial 
     incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for 
     independent research, access to equipment or facilities, and 
     other forms of recognition, designed to attract and retain 
     young scientists and engineers;
       (2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the 
     careers of young scientists and engineers at Department of 
     Energy National Laboratories, and also on the quality of the 
     research at the National Laboratories and in Department of 
     Energy programs;
       (3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to 
     efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, 
     including limited availability of full time equivalent 
     positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading 
     systems; and
       (4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and 
     retain young researchers and the source of such funds.

     SEC. 204. INTEGRATIVE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH 
                   TRAINEESHIP PROGRAM.

       (a) Funding.--For each of the fiscal years 2008 through 
     2012, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall 
     allocate at least 1.5 percent of funds appropriated for 
     Research and Related Activities to the Integrative Graduate 
     Education and Research Traineeship program.
       (b) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with 
     Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, to expand 
     the interdisciplinary nature of the Integrative Graduate 
     Education and Research Traineeship program.
       (c) Authority To Accept Funds From Other Agencies.--The 
     Director is authorized to accept funds from other Federal 
     departments and agencies to carry out the Integrative 
     Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program.

     SEC. 205. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION AWARD.

       (a) Establishment.--The President shall periodically 
     present the Presidential Innovation Award, on the basis of 
     recommendations received from the Director of the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy or on the basis of such other 
     information as the President considers appropriate, to 
     individuals who develop one or more unique scientific or 
     engineering ideas in the national interest at the time the 
     innovation occurs.
       (b) Purpose.--The awards under this section shall be made 
     to--
       (1) stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the 
     national interest;
       (2) illustrate the linkage between science and engineering 
     and national needs;
       (3) show the potential of such innovation to substantively 
     enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States 
     through development of commercializable intellectual 
     property; and
       (4) provide an example to students of the contribution they 
     could make to society by entering the science and engineering 
     profession.
       (c) Citizenship.--An individual is not eligible to receive 
     the award under this section unless at the time such award is 
     made the individual--
       (1) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or

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       (2) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for 
     permanent residence who--
       (A) has filed an application for naturalization in the 
     manner prescribed by section 334 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1445); and
       (B) is not permanently ineligible to become a citizen of 
     the United States.
       (d) Presentation.--The presentation of the award shall be 
     made by the President with such ceremonies as he may deem 
     proper, including attendance by appropriate Members of 
     Congress.

     SEC. 206. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE FOR RESEARCH 
                   INFRASTRUCTURE.

       (a) In General.--The Office of Science and Technology 
     Policy shall establish a National Coordination Office for 
     Research Infrastructure. Such Office shall--
       (1) identify and prioritize the deficiencies in research 
     facilities and major instrumentation located at academic 
     institutions and at national laboratories that are available 
     for use by academic researchers; and
       (2) institute and coordinate the planning by Federal 
     agencies for the acquisition, refurbishment, and maintenance 
     of research facilities and major instrumentation required to 
     address the deficiencies identified under paragraph (1).

     In prioritizing the deficiencies identified under paragraph 
     (1), the Office shall consider research needs in areas 
     relevant to the Nation's economic competitiveness.
       (b) Staffing.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy shall appoint individuals to serve in the 
     Office established under subsection (a) from among the 
     principal Federal agencies that support research in the 
     sciences, mathematics, and engineering, and shall at a 
     minimum include individuals from the National Science 
     Foundation and the Department of Energy.
       (c) Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy shall provide annually a report to Congress 
     at the time of the President's budget proposal--
       (1) describing the research infrastructure needs identified 
     in accordance with subsection (a);
       (2) listing research facilities projects and budget 
     proposals, by agency, for major instrumentation acquisitions 
     that are included in the President's budget proposal; and
       (3) explaining how these facilities projects and 
     instrumentation acquisitions relate to the deficiencies and 
     priorities arrived at in accordance with subsection (a).

     SEC. 207. RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS.

       In carrying out its research programs on science policy and 
     on the science of learning, the National Science Foundation 
     may support research on the process of innovation and the 
     teaching of inventiveness.

     SEC. 208. REPORT ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
                   TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EARLY 
                   CAREER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.

       Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology shall transmit to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report on efforts to recruit and retain young 
     scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers 
     at the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
     laboratories and joint institutes. The report shall include--
       (1) a description of National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology policies and procedures, including financial 
     incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for 
     independent research, access to equipment or facilities, and 
     other forms of recognition, designed to attract and retain 
     young scientists and engineers;
       (2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the 
     careers of young scientists and engineers at the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology, and also on the 
     quality of the research at the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology's laboratories and in the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology's programs;
       (3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to 
     efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, 
     including limited availability of full time equivalent 
     positions, legal and procedural requirements, and pay grading 
     systems; and
       (4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and 
     retain young researchers and the source of such funds.

     SEC. 209. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.

       (a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that--
       (1) a balanced science program as authorized by section 
     101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
     Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155) contributes 
     significantly to innovation in and the economic 
     competitiveness of the United States; and
       (2) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
     funded at the levels authorized under sections 202 and 203 of 
     that Act, would offer a balance among science, aeronautics, 
     exploration, and human space flight programs, all of which 
     can attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians 
     across a broad range of fields in science, technology, 
     mathematics, and engineering.
       (b) Participation in Innovation and Competitiveness 
     Programs.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration shall fully participate in any 
     interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic 
     competitiveness through scientific research and development 
     within the spending levels cited in subsection (a).

     SEC. 210. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, 
                   ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.

       (a) Establishment.--The National Science Foundation shall 
     establish a program, to be known as the Undergraduate 
     Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
     Mathematics, or US-STEM, program, for awarding scholarships 
     to undergraduate scholars in science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics.
       (b) Eligibility.--A student is eligible for a scholarship 
     under this section only if the student--
       (1) is enrolled at a public, 4-year college or university;
       (2) will have completed at least one-half of the credit 
     requirements for an undergraduate degree before beginning 
     studies to be funded by the scholarship;
       (3) has maintained a grade point average in undergraduate 
     studies of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, or an equivalent 
     level as calculated by the National Science Foundation, 
     except that if the student's institution appeals this 
     criterion on the basis of undue hardship on the student, the 
     National Science Foundation may waive this paragraph;
       (4) has a total family income of less than $75,000 per 
     year, with such amount to be adjusted annually by the 
     National Science Foundation for inflation;
       (5) has not been convicted of a felony; and
       (6) is a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United 
     States.
       (c) Selection Criteria.--Scholarship recipients shall be 
     selected on the basis of merit and such other criteria as the 
     National Science Foundation shall establish.
       (d) Awards.--The National Science Foundation shall announce 
     awards before April 1 for each upcoming academic year, and 
     may make up to 2,500 awards per year. Awards may be made for 
     a maximum of 2 academic years for each student, and 
     scholarship amounts shall be paid to the institution.
       (e) Advisory Board.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall establish an advisory board, which shall 
     make recommendations to the Director for selection criteria 
     for scholarship recipients, and provide guidance and 
     oversight for the program.

                 TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National Science 
     Board established under section 2 of the National Science 
     Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
       (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Foundation.
       (3) Elementary school.--The term ``elementary school'' has 
     the meaning given that term by section 9101(18) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7801(18)).
       (4) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
     Science Foundation.
       (5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (6) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has 
     the meaning given that term by section 9101(38) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7801(38)).

     SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Fiscal Year 2008.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $6,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $5,080,000,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities, of which $115,000,000 shall be made 
     available for the Major Research Instrumentation program;
       (B) $873,000,000 shall be made available for education and 
     human resources, of which--
       (i) $94,000,000 shall be for Mathematics and Science 
     Education Partnerships established under section 9 of the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
     U.S.C. 1862n), of which $32,000,000 shall be made available 
     for the purposes of section 122(a) of this Act and 
     $46,000,000 shall be made available for the purposes of 
     section 123 of this Act;
       (ii) $70,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce Scholarship 
     Program established under section 10 of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);
       (iii) $44,000,000 shall be for the Science, Mathematics, 
     Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program 
     established under section 8(7) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368); 
     and

[[Page 13345]]

       (iv) $51,620,000 shall be for the Advanced Technological 
     Education program established by section 3(a) of the 
     Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 
     102-476);
       (C) $245,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $285,600,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,050,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board; and
       (F) $12,350,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (b) Fiscal Year 2009.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $6,980,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $5,457,400,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities, of which $123,100,000 shall be made 
     available for the Major Research Instrumentation program;
       (B) $934,000,000 shall be made available for education and 
     human resources, of which--
       (i) $100,600,000 shall be for Mathematics and Science 
     Education Partnerships established under section 9 of the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
     U.S.C. 1862n), of which $35,200,000 shall be made available 
     for the purposes of section 122(a) of this Act and 
     $50,600,000 shall be made available for the purposes of 
     section 123 of this Act;
       (ii) $101,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce Scholarship 
     Program established under section 10 of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);
       (iii) $55,000,000 shall be for the Science, Mathematics, 
     Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program 
     established under section 8(7) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368); 
     and
       (iv) $55,200,000 shall be for the Advanced Technological 
     Education program as established by section 3(a) of the 
     Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 
     102-476);
       (C) $262,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $309,760,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,120,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board; and
       (F) $12,720,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (c) Fiscal Year 2010.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Foundation $7,493,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
       (2) Specific allocations.--Of the amount authorized under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) $5,863,200,000 shall be made available for research and 
     related activities, of which $131,700,000 shall be made 
     available for the Major Research Instrumentation program;
       (B) $1,003,000,000 shall be made available for education 
     and human resources, of which--
       (i) $107,600,000 shall be for Mathematics and Science 
     Education Partnerships established under section 9 of the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
     U.S.C. 1862n), of which $38,700,000 shall be made available 
     for the purposes of section 122(a) of this Act and 
     $55,700,000 shall be made available for the purposes of 
     section 123 of this Act;
       (ii) $133,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce Scholarship 
     Program established under section 10 of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1);
       (iii) $60,000,000 shall be for the Science, Mathematics, 
     Engineering, and Technology Talent Expansion Program 
     established under section 8(7) of the National Science 
     Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368); 
     and
       (iv) $59,100,000 shall be for the Advanced Technological 
     Education program as established by section 3(a) of the 
     Scientific and Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (Public Law 
     102-476);
       (C) $280,000,000 shall be made available for major research 
     equipment and facilities construction;
       (D) $329,450,000 shall be made available for agency 
     operations and award management;
       (E) $4,250,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     the National Science Board; and
       (F) $13,100,000 shall be made available for the Office of 
     Inspector General.
       (d) Major Research Instrumentation.--
       (1) Award amount.--The minimum amount of an award under the 
     Major Research Instrumentation program shall be $100,000. The 
     maximum amount of an award under the program shall be 
     $4,000,000, except if the total amount appropriated for the 
     program for a fiscal year exceeds $125,000,000, in which case 
     the maximum amount of an award shall be $6,000,000.
       (2) Use of funds.--In addition to the acquisition of 
     instrumentation and equipment, funds made available by awards 
     under the Major Research Instrumentation program may be used 
     to support the operations and maintenance of such 
     instrumentation and equipment.
       (3) Cost sharing.--
       (A) In general.--An institution of higher education 
     receiving an award shall provide at least 30 percent of the 
     cost from private or non-Federal sources.
       (B) Exceptions.--Institutions of higher education that are 
     not Ph.D.-granting institutions are exempt from the cost 
     sharing requirement in subparagraph (A), and the Director may 
     reduce or waive the cost sharing requirement for--
       (i) institutions--

       (I) which are not ranked among the top 100 institutions 
     receiving Federal research and development funding, as 
     documented by the statistical data published by the 
     Foundation; and
       (II) for which the proposed project will make a substantial 
     improvement in the institution's capabilities to conduct 
     leading edge research, to provide research experiences for 
     undergraduate students using leading edge facilities, and to 
     broaden the participation in science and engineering research 
     by individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science 
     and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 
     1885b); and

       (ii) consortia of institutions of higher education that 
     include at least one institution that is not a Ph.D-granting 
     institution.
       (e) Undergraduate Education Programs.--The Director shall 
     continue to carry out programs in support of undergraduate 
     education, including those authorized in section 17 of the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
     U.S.C. 1862n-6). Funding for these programs shall increase in 
     proportion to the increase in the total amount appropriated 
     to the Foundation in any year for which appropriations are 
     authorized by this title.
       (f) Limit on Proposals.--
       (1) Policy.--For programs that require as part of the 
     selection process for awards the submission of preproposals 
     and that also limit the number of preproposals that may be 
     submitted by an institution, the Director shall allow the 
     subsequent submission of a full proposal based on each 
     preproposal that is determined to have merit following the 
     Foundation's merit review process.
       (2) Review and assessment of policies.--The Board shall 
     review and assess the effects on institutions of higher 
     education of the policies of the Foundation regarding the 
     imposition of limitations on the number of proposals that may 
     be submitted by a single institution for programs supported 
     by the Foundation. The Board shall determine whether current 
     policies are well justified and appropriate for the types of 
     programs that limit the number of proposal submissions. Not 
     later that 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Board shall summarize its findings and any 
     recommendations regarding changes to the current policy on 
     the restriction of proposal submissions in a report to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
       (g) Research Experiences for Undergraduates.--The Director 
     shall increase funding for the Research Experiences for 
     Undergraduates program in proportion to the increase in the 
     total amount appropriated to the Foundation for research and 
     related activities in any year for which appropriations are 
     authorized by this title.
       (h) Global Warming Education.--
       (1) Informal education.--As part of Informal Science 
     Education activities, the Director shall support activities 
     to create informal educational materials, exhibits, and 
     multimedia presentations relevant to global warming, climate 
     science, and greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
       (2) K-12 instructional materials.--As part of Discovery 
     Research K-12 activities, the Director shall support the 
     development of K-12 educational materials relevant to global 
     warming, climate science, and greenhouse gas reduction 
     strategies.

     SEC. 304. CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON LEARNING AND EDUCATION 
                   IMPROVEMENT.

       (a) Funding for Centers.--The Director shall continue to 
     carry out the program of Centers for Research on Learning and 
     Education Improvement as established in section 11 of the 
     National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 
     U.S.C. 1862n-2).
       (b) Eligibility for Centers.--Section 11 of the National 
     Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
     1862n-2) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``or eligible 
     nonprofit organizations'' after ``institutions of higher 
     education'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(1) by inserting ``or an eligible 
     nonprofit organization'' after ``institution of higher 
     education''; and
       (3) in subsection (b)(1) by striking ``of such 
     institutions'' and inserting ``thereof''.

     SEC. 305. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH.

       (a) In General.--The Board shall evaluate the role of the 
     Foundation in supporting interdisciplinary research, 
     including through the Major Research Instrumentation program, 
     the effectiveness of the Foundation's efforts in providing 
     information to the scientific community about opportunities 
     for

[[Page 13346]]

     funding of interdisciplinary research proposals, and the 
     process through which interdisciplinary proposals are 
     selected for support. The Board shall also evaluate the 
     effectiveness of the Foundation's efforts to engage 
     undergraduate students in research experiences in 
     interdisciplinary settings, including through the Research in 
     Undergraduate Institutions program and the Research 
     Experiences for Undergraduates program.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Board shall provide the results of 
     its evaluation under subsection (a), including a 
     recommendation for the proportion of the Foundation's 
     research and related activities funding that should be 
     allocated for interdisciplinary research, to the Committee on 
     Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
     the Senate.

     SEC. 306. PILOT PROGRAM OF GRANTS FOR NEW INVESTIGATORS.

       (a) In General.--The Director shall carry out a pilot 
     program to award one-year grants to individuals to assist 
     them in improving research proposals that were previously 
     submitted to the Foundation but not selected for funding.
       (b) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section shall 
     be used to enable an individual to resubmit an updated 
     research proposal for review by the Foundation through the 
     agency's competitive merit review process. Uses of funds made 
     available under this section may include the generation of 
     new data and the performance of additional analysis.
       (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, an individual shall--
       (1) not have previously received funding as the principal 
     investigator of a research grant from the Foundation; and
       (2) have submitted a proposal to the Foundation, which may 
     include a proposal submitted to the Research in Undergraduate 
     Institutions program, that was rated very good or excellent 
     under the Foundation's competitive merit review process.
       (d) Selection Process.--The Director shall make awards 
     under this section based on the advice of the program 
     officers of the Foundation.
       (e) Program Administration.--The Director may carry out 
     this section through the Small Grants for Exploratory 
     Research program.
       (f) National Science Board Review.--The Board shall conduct 
     a review and assessment of the pilot program under this 
     section, including the number of new investigators funded, 
     the distribution of awards by type of institution of higher 
     education, and the success rate upon resubmittal of proposals 
     by new investigators funded through this pilot program. Not 
     later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Board shall summarize its findings and any 
     recommendations regarding changes to or the continuation of 
     the pilot program in a report to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

     SEC. 307. BROADER IMPACTS MERIT REVIEW CRITERION.

       (a) In General.--In evaluating research proposals under the 
     Foundation's broader impacts criterion, the Director shall 
     give special consideration to proposals that involve 
     partnerships between academic researchers and industrial 
     scientists and engineers that address research areas that 
     have been identified as having high importance for future 
     national economic competitiveness, such as nanotechnology.
       (b) Partnerships With Industry.--The Director shall 
     encourage research proposals from institutions of higher 
     education that involve partnerships with businesses and 
     organizations representing businesses in fields that have 
     been identified as having high importance for future national 
     economic competitiveness and that include input on the 
     research agenda from and cost-sharing by the industry 
     partners.
       (c) Report on Broader Impacts Criterion.--Not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director 
     shall transmit to Congress a report on the impact of the 
     broader impacts grant criterion used by the Foundation. The 
     report shall--
       (1) identify the criteria that each division and 
     directorate of the Foundation uses to evaluate the broader 
     impacts aspects of research proposals;
       (2) provide a breakdown of the types of activities by 
     division that awardees have proposed to carry out to meet the 
     broader impacts criterion;
       (3) provide any evaluations performed by the Foundation to 
     assess the degree to which the broader impacts aspects of 
     research proposals were carried out and how effective they 
     have been at meeting the goals described in the research 
     proposals;
       (4) describe what national goals, such as improving 
     undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering 
     education, improving K-12 science and mathematics education, 
     promoting university-industry collaboration and technology 
     transfer, and broadening participation of underrepresented 
     groups, the broader impacts criterion is best suited to 
     promote; and
       (5) describe what steps the Foundation is taking and should 
     take to use the broader impacts criterion to improve 
     undergraduate science, mathematics, and engineering 
     education.

     SEC. 308. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWS.

       (a) Mentoring.--The Director shall require that all grant 
     applications that include funding to support postdoctoral 
     researchers include a description of the mentoring activities 
     that will be provided for such individuals, and shall ensure 
     that this part of the application is evaluated under the 
     Foundation's broader impacts merit review criterion. 
     Mentoring activities may include career counseling, training 
     in preparing grant applications, guidance on ways to improve 
     teaching skills, and training in research ethics.
       (b) Reports.--The Director shall require that annual 
     reports and the final report for research grants that include 
     funding to support postdoctoral researchers include a 
     description of the mentoring activities provided to such 
     researchers.

     SEC. 309. RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH.

       The Director shall require that each institution that 
     applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for 
     science and engineering research or education describe in its 
     grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and 
     oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research 
     to undergraduate students, graduate students, and 
     postdoctoral researchers participating in the proposed 
     research project.

     SEC. 310. REPORTING OF RESEARCH RESULTS.

       The Director shall ensure that all final project reports 
     and citations of published research documents resulting from 
     research funded, in whole or in part, by the Foundation, are 
     made available to the public in a timely manner and in 
     electronic form through the Foundation's Web site.

     SEC. 311. SHARING RESEARCH RESULTS.

       An investigator supported under a Foundation award, whom 
     the Director determines has failed to comply with the 
     provisions of section 734 of the Foundation Grant Policy 
     Manual, shall be ineligible for a future award under any 
     Foundation supported program or activity. The Director may 
     restore the eligibility of such an investigator on the basis 
     of the investigator's subsequent compliance with the 
     provisions of section 734 of the Foundation Grant Policy 
     Manual and with such other terms and conditions as the 
     Director may impose.

     SEC. 312. FUNDING FOR SUCCESSFUL STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Evaluation of Programs.--The Director shall, on an 
     annual basis, evaluate all of the Foundation's grants that 
     are scheduled to expire within one year and--
       (1) that have the primary purpose of meeting the objectives 
     of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunity Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1885 et seq.); or
       (2) that have the primary purpose of providing teacher 
     professional development.
       (b) Continuation of Funding.--For grants that are 
     identified under subsection (a) and that are deemed by the 
     Director to be successful in meeting the objectives of the 
     initial grant solicitation, the Director may extend the 
     duration of those grants for up to 3 additional years beyond 
     their scheduled expiration without the requirement for a 
     recompetition. The Director may extend such grants for an 
     additional 3 years following a second review within 1 year 
     before the extended completion date, in accordance with 
     subsection (a), and the determination by the Director that 
     the objectives of the grant are being achieved.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate that--
       (1) lists the grants which have been extended in duration 
     by the authority provided under this section; and
       (2) provides any recommendations the Director may have 
     regarding the extension of the authority provided under this 
     section to programs other than those specified in subsection 
     (a).

     SEC. 313. COST SHARING.

       (a) In General.--The Board shall evaluate the impact of its 
     policy to eliminate cost sharing for research grants and 
     cooperative agreements for existing programs that were 
     developed around industry partnerships and historically 
     required industry cost sharing, such as the Engineering 
     Research Centers and Industry/University Cooperative Research 
     Centers. The Board shall also consider the impact that the 
     cost sharing policy has on initiating new programs for which 
     industry interest and participation are sought.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Board shall report to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives,

[[Page 13347]]

     and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and 
     the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, on the results 
     of the evaluation under subsection (a).

     SEC. 314. DONATIONS.

       Section 11(f) of the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950 (42 U.S.C. 1870(f)) is amended by inserting at the end 
     before the semicolon ``, except that funds may be donated for 
     specific prize competitions''.

     SEC. 315. ADDITIONAL REPORTS.

       (a) Report on Funding for Major Facilities.--
       (1) Preconstruction funding.--The Board shall evaluate the 
     appropriateness of the requirement that funding for detailed 
     design work and other preconstruction activities for major 
     research equipment and facilities come exclusively from the 
     sponsoring research division rather than being available, at 
     least in part, from the Major Research Equipment and 
     Facilities Construction account.
       (2) Maintenance and operation costs.--The Board shall 
     evaluate the appropriateness of the Foundation's policies for 
     allocation of costs for, and oversight of, maintenance and 
     operation of major research equipment and facilities.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Board shall report on the results 
     of the evaluations under paragraphs (1) and (2) and on any 
     recommendations for modifying the current policies related to 
     allocation of funding for major research equipment and 
     facilities to the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, 
     and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
     and Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate.
       (b) Inclusion of Polar Facilities Upgrades in Major 
     Research Equipment and Facilities Construction Plan.--Section 
     201(a)(2)(D) of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
     Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 1862l(a)(2)(D)) is amended by 
     inserting ``and for major upgrades of facilities in support 
     of Antarctic research programs'' after ``facilities 
     construction account''.
       (c) Report on Education Programs Within the Research 
     Directorates.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
     and Pensions of the Senate a report cataloging all elementary 
     and secondary school, informal, and undergraduate educational 
     programs and activities supported through appropriations for 
     Research and Related Activities. The report shall display the 
     programs and activities by directorate, along with estimated 
     funding levels for the fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008, and 
     shall provide a description of the goals of each program and 
     activity. The report shall also describe how the programs and 
     activities relate to or are coordinated with the programs 
     supported by the Education and Human Resources Directorate.
       (d) Report on Research in Undergraduate Institutions 
     Program.--The Director shall transmit to Congress along with 
     the fiscal year 2011 budget request a report listing the 
     funding success rates and distribution of awards for the 
     Research in Undergraduate Institutions program, by type of 
     institution based on the highest academic degree conferred by 
     the institution, for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.
       (e) Annual Plan for Allocation of Education and Human 
     Resources Funding.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of legislation providing for the annual 
     appropriation of funds for the Foundation, the Director shall 
     submit to the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, 
     and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
     and Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate, a plan for the allocation of education and human 
     resources funds authorized by this title for the 
     corresponding fiscal year, including any funds from within 
     the research and related activities account used to support 
     activities that have the primary purpose of improving 
     education or broadening participation.
       (2) Specific requirements.--The plan shall include a 
     description of how the allocation of funding--
       (A) will affect the average size and duration of education 
     and human resources grants supported by the Foundation;
       (B) will affect trends in research support for the 
     effective instruction of mathematics, science, engineering, 
     and technology;
       (C) will affect the K-20 pipeline for the study of 
     mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; and
       (D) will encourage the interest of individuals identified 
     in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal 
     Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, 
     science, engineering, and technology, and help prepare such 
     individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these fields.

     SEC. 316. ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Triannual Audit of the Office of the National Science 
     Board.--Section 15(a) of the National Science Foundation 
     Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 4862n-5) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``an annual audit'' and 
     inserting ``an audit every three years'';
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``each year'' and 
     inserting ``every third year''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) Materials relating to closed portions of meetings.--
     To facilitate the audit required under paragraph (3) of this 
     subsection, the Office of the National Science Board shall 
     maintain the General Counsel's certificate, the presiding 
     officer's statement, and a transcript or recording of any 
     closed meeting, for at least 3 years after such meeting.''.
       (b) Limited Term Personnel for the National Science 
     Board.--Subsection (g) of section 4 of the National Science 
     Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(g)) is amended to read 
     as follows:
       ``(g) The Board may, with the concurrence of a majority of 
     its members, permit the appointment of a staff consisting of 
     not more than 5 professional staff members, technical and 
     professional personnel on leave of absence from academic, 
     industrial, or research institutions for a limited term and 
     such operations and support staff members as may be 
     necessary. Such staff shall be appointed by the Chairman and 
     assigned at the direction of the Board. The professional 
     members and limited term technical and professional personnel 
     of such staff may be appointed without regard to the 
     provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
     appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions 
     of chapter 51 of such title relating to classification, and 
     shall be compensated at a rate not exceeding the maximum rate 
     payable under section 5376 of such title, as may be necessary 
     to provide for the performance of such duties as may be 
     prescribed by the Board in connection with the exercise of 
     its powers and functions under this Act. Section 14(a)(3) 
     shall apply to each limited term appointment of technical and 
     professional personnel under this subsection. Each 
     appointment under this subsection shall be subject to the 
     same security requirements as those required for personnel of 
     the Foundation appointed under section 14(a).''.
       (c) Increase in Number of Waterman Awards to Three.--
     Section 6(c) of the National Science Foundation Authorization 
     Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1881a) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(c) Up to three awards may be made under this section in 
     any one fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 317. NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD REPORTS.

       Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 4(j) of the National 
     Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(j)(1) and (2)) 
     are amended by striking ``, for submission to'' and ``for 
     submission to'', respectively, and inserting ``and''.

     SEC. 318. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE REPORT ON DIVERSITY IN 
                   STEM FIELDS.

       (a) In General.--The Foundation shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a 
     report, to be transmitted to the Congress not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act, about barriers 
     to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and 
     to identify strategies for bringing more underrepresented 
     minorities into the science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics workforce.
       (b) Specific Requirements.--The Director shall ensure that 
     the study described in subsection (a) addresses--
       (1) social and institutional factors that shape the 
     decisions of minority students to commit to education and 
     careers in the science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics fields;
       (2) specific barriers preventing greater minority student 
     participation in the science, technology, engineering, and 
     mathematics fields;
       (3) primary focus points for policy intervention to 
     increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented 
     minorities in America's future workforce;
       (4) programs already underway to increase diversity in the 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, and 
     their level of effectiveness;
       (5) factors that make such programs effective, and how to 
     expand and improve upon existing programs;
       (6) the role of minority-serving institutions in the 
     diversification of America's workforce in these fields and 
     how that role can be supported and strengthened; and
       (7) how the public and private sectors can better assist 
     minority students in their efforts to join America's 
     workforce in these fields.

     SEC. 319. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING THE MATHEMATICS AND 
                   SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                   OF EDUCATION AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE 
                   FOUNDATION.

       It is the sense of the Congress that--

[[Page 13348]]

       (1) although the mathematics and science education 
     partnership program at the National Science Foundation and 
     the mathematics and science partnership program at the 
     Department of Education practically share the same name, the 
     2 programs are intended to be complementary, not duplicative;
       (2) the National Science Foundation partnership programs 
     are innovative, model reform initiatives that move promising 
     ideas in education from research into practice to improve 
     teacher quality, develop challenging curricula, and increase 
     student achievement in mathematics and science, and Congress 
     intends that the National Science Foundation peer-reviewed 
     partnership programs found to be effective should be put into 
     wider practice by dissemination through the Department of 
     Education partnership programs; and
       (3) the Director of the National Science Foundation and the 
     Secretary of Education should have ongoing collaboration to 
     ensure that the 2 components of this priority effort for 
     mathematics and science education continue to work in concert 
     for the benefit of States and local practitioners nationwide.

     SEC. 320. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS UNDERGRADUATE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Director is authorized to establish a 
     new program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed 
     basis to Hispanic-serving institutions to enhance the quality 
     of undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and 
     technology education at such institutions and to increase the 
     retention and graduation rates of students pursuing 
     associate's or baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, 
     engineering, or technology.
       (b) Program Components.--Grants awarded under this section 
     shall support--
       (1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in 
     science, mathematics, engineering, and technology;
       (2) faculty development;
       (3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in 
     research; and
       (4) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as 
     determined by the Director.
       (c) Instrumentation.--Funding for instrumentation is an 
     allowed use of grants awarded under this section.

     SEC. 321. COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING FOR SCIENTISTS.

       (a) Grant Supplements for Communications Training.--The 
     Director shall provide grant supplements, on a competitive, 
     merit-reviewed basis, to institutions receiving awards under 
     the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship 
     program.   The grant supplements shall be used to train 
     graduate students in the communication of the substance and 
     importance of their research to nonscientist audiences, 
     including policymakers.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit a 
     report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, describing how 
     the activities required under subsection (a) have been 
     implemented.   The report shall include data on the number of 
     graduate students trained and the number and size of grant 
     supplements awarded, and a description of the types of 
     activities funded through the grant supplements.

        TITLE IV--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY

     SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Technology Innovation and 
     Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007''.

              Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations

     SEC. 411. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES.

       (a) Laboratory Activities.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for the scientific 
     and technical research and services laboratory activities of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) $470,879,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       (2) $497,750,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
       (3) $537,569,000 for fiscal year 2010.
       (b) Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program.--There 
     are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award 
     program under section 17 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
     Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a)--
       (1) $7,860,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       (2) $8,096,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
       (3) $8,339,000 for fiscal year 2010.
       (c) Construction and Maintenance.--There are authorized to 
     be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for construction 
     and maintenance of facilities of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology--
       (1) $93,865,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       (2) $86,371,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
       (3) $49,719,000 for fiscal year 2010.

     SEC. 412. INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce for Industrial Technology Services activities of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology--
       (1) $222,968,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which--
       (A) $110,000,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at 
     least $45,000,000 shall be for new awards; and
       (B) $112,968,000 shall be for the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l), of which not more than $1,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act;
       (2) $263,505,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which--
       (A) $141,500,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at 
     least $45,000,000 shall be for new awards; and
       (B) $122,005,000 shall be for the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership Program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l), of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act; 
     and
       (3) $282,266,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which--
       (A) $150,500,000 shall be for the Technology Innovation 
     Program under section 28 of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n), of which at 
     least $45,000,000 shall be for new awards; and
       (B) $131,766,000 shall be for the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership Program under sections 25 and 26 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 
     278l), of which not more than $4,000,000 shall be for the 
     competitive grant program under section 25(f) of such Act.

          Subtitle B--Innovation and Technology Policy Reforms

     SEC. 421. INSTITUTE-WIDE PLANNING REPORT.

       Section 23 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278i) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsections:
       ``(c) Concurrent with the submission to Congress of the 
     President's annual budget request in the first year after the 
     date of enactment of the Technology Innovation and 
     Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007, the Director shall 
     transmit to the Congress a 3-year programmatic planning 
     document for the Institute, including programs under the 
     Scientific and Technical Research and Services, Industrial 
     Technology Services, and Construction of Research Facilities 
     functions.
       ``(d) Concurrent with the submission to the Congress of the 
     President's annual budget request in each year after the date 
     of enactment of the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing 
     Stimulation Act of 2007, the Director shall transmit to the 
     Congress an update to the 3-year programmatic planning 
     document transmitted under subsection (c), revised to cover 
     the first 3 fiscal years after the date of that update.''.

     SEC. 422. REPORT BY VISITING COMMITTEE.

       Section 10(h)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(h)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``on or before January 31 in each year'' 
     and inserting ``within 30 days after the submission to 
     Congress of the President's annual budget request in each 
     year''; and
       (2) by adding to the end the following: ``Such report also 
     shall comment on the programmatic planning document and 
     updates thereto transmitted to the Congress by the Director 
     under section 23(c) and (d).''.

     SEC. 423. MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.

       (a) MEP Advisory Board.--Section 25 of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) MEP Advisory Board.--(1) There is established within 
     the Institute a Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory 
     Board (in this Act referred to as the `MEP Advisory Board'). 
     The MEP Advisory Board shall consist of 10 members broadly 
     representative of stakeholders, to be appointed by the 
     Director. At least 2 members shall be employed by or on an 
     advisory board for the Centers, and at least 5 other members 
     shall be from United States small businesses in the 
     manufacturing sector. No member shall be an employee of the 
     Federal Government.
       ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) or (C), the 
     term of office of each member of the MEP Advisory Board shall 
     be 3 years.
       ``(B) The original members of the MEP Advisory Board shall 
     be appointed to 3 classes. One class of 3 members shall have 
     an initial term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have 
     an initial term of 2 years, and one class of 4 members shall 
     have an initial term of 3 years.
       ``(C) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring 
     prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor 
     was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such 
     term.
       ``(D) Any person who has completed two consecutive full 
     terms of service on the MEP Advisory Board shall thereafter 
     be ineligible for appointment during the one-year period 
     following the expiration of the second such term.

[[Page 13349]]

       ``(3) The MEP Advisory Board shall meet no less than 2 
     times annually, and provide to the Director--
       ``(A) advice on Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
     programs, plans, and policies;
       ``(B) assessments of the soundness of Manufacturing 
     Extension Partnership plans and strategies; and
       ``(C) assessments of current performance against 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership program plans.
       ``(4) In discharging its duties under this subsection, the 
     MEP Advisory Board shall function solely in an advisory 
     capacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee 
     Act.
       ``(5) The MEP Advisory Board shall transmit an annual 
     report to the Secretary for transmittal to the Congress 
     within 30 days after the submission to the Congress of the 
     President's annual budget request in each year. Such report 
     shall address the status of the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership program and comment on the relevant sections of 
     the programmatic planning document and updates thereto 
     transmitted to the Congress by the Director under section 
     23(c) and (d).''.
       (b) Acceptance of Funds.--Section 25(d) of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(d)) 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may 
     be appropriated to the Secretary and Director to operate the 
     Centers program, the Secretary and Director also may accept 
     funds from other Federal departments and agencies and under 
     section 2(c)(7) from the private sector for the purpose of 
     strengthening United States manufacturing. Such funds, if 
     allocated to a Center or Centers, shall not be considered in 
     the calculation of the Federal share of capital and annual 
     operating and maintenance costs under subsection (c).''.
       (c) Manufacturing Extension Center Competitive Grant 
     Program.--Section 25 of the National Institute of Standards 
     and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k), as amended by subsection 
     (a) of this section, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following new subsection:
       ``(f) Competitive Grant Program.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish, within 
     the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under this 
     section and section 26 of this Act, a program of competitive 
     awards among participants described in paragraph (2) for the 
     purposes described in paragraph (3).
       ``(2) Participants.--Participants receiving awards under 
     this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such 
     Centers.
       ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
     subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging 
     manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
     Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized manufacturers. One 
     or more themes for the competition may be identified, which 
     may vary from year to year, depending on the needs of 
     manufacturers and the success of previous competitions. These 
     themes shall be related to projects associated with 
     manufacturing extension activities, including supply chain 
     integration and quality management, and including the 
     transfer of technology based on the technological needs of 
     manufacturers and available technologies from institutions of 
     higher education, laboratories, and other technology 
     producing entities, or extend beyond these traditional areas.
       ``(4) Applications.--Applications for awards under this 
     subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, 
     and containing such information as the Director shall 
     require, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership Advisory Board.
       ``(5) Selection.--Awards under this subsection shall be 
     peer reviewed and competitively awarded. The Director shall 
     select proposals to receive awards--
       ``(A) that utilize innovative or collaborative approaches 
     to solving the problem described in the competition;
       ``(B) that will improve the competitiveness of industries 
     in the region in which the Center or Centers are located; and
       ``(C) that will contribute to the long-term economic 
     stability of that region.
       ``(6) Program contribution.--Recipients of awards under 
     this subsection shall not be required to provide a matching 
     contribution.''.

     SEC. 424. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PROGRAM.

       Section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended to read as 
     follows:


                    ``TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PROGRAM

       ``Sec. 28.  (a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Institute a Technology Innovation Program for the purpose of 
     assisting United States businesses and institutions of higher 
     education or other organizations, such as national 
     laboratories and nonprofit research institutes, to accelerate 
     the research and development and application of challenging, 
     high-risk, high-reward technologies in areas of critical 
     national need that promise widespread economic benefits for 
     the Nation.
       ``(b) Grants.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director shall make grants under 
     this section for research and development on high-risk, high-
     reward emerging and enabling technologies (including any 
     technological application that uses biological systems, 
     living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify 
     products or processes for specific use) that address critical 
     national needs and have a wide breadth of potential 
     application, and form an important technical basis for future 
     innovations. Such grants shall be made to--
       ``(A) eligible companies that are small- or medium-sized 
     businesses that are substantially involved in the research 
     and development, including having a leadership role in 
     programmatically steering the project and defining the 
     research agenda; or
       ``(B) joint ventures.
       ``(2) Single company grants.--No grant made under paragraph 
     (1)(A) shall exceed $3,000,000 over 3 years. The Federal 
     share of a project funded by such a grant shall not be more 
     than 50 percent of total project costs. An award under 
     paragraph (1)(A) may be extended beyond 3 years only if the 
     Director transmits to the Committee on Science and Technology 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a full 
     and complete explanation of such award, including reasons for 
     exceeding 3 years. Federal funds granted under paragraph 
     (1)(A) may be used only for direct costs and not for indirect 
     costs, profits, or management fees of a contractor.
       ``(3) Joint venture grants.--No grant made under paragraph 
     (1)(B) shall exceed $9,000,000 over 5 years. The Federal 
     share of a project funded by such a grant shall not be more 
     than 50 percent of total project costs.
       ``(c) Award Criteria.--The Director shall award grants 
     under this section only to an eligible company--
       ``(1) whose proposal has scientific and technological 
     merit;
       ``(2) whose application establishes that the proposed 
     technology has strong potential to generate substantial 
     benefits to the Nation that extend significantly beyond the 
     direct return to the applicant;
       ``(3) whose application establishes that the research has 
     strong potential for advancing the state-of-the-art and 
     contributing significantly to the United States scientific 
     and technical knowledge base;
       ``(4) whose application establishes that the research is 
     aimed at overcoming a scientific or technological barrier;
       ``(5) who has provided a technical plan that clearly 
     identifies the core innovation, the technical approach, major 
     technical hurdles, and the attendant risks, and that clearly 
     establishes the feasibility of the technology through 
     adequately detailed plans linked to major technical barriers;
       ``(6) whose application establishes that the team proposed 
     to carry out the work has a high level of scientific and 
     technical expertise to conduct research and development, has 
     a high level of commitment to the project, and has access to 
     appropriate research facilities;
       ``(7) whose proposal explains why Technology Innovation 
     Program support is necessary;
       ``(8) whose application includes a plan for advancing the 
     technology into commercial use; and
       ``(9) whose application assesses the project's 
     organizational structure and management plan.
       ``(d) External Review of Proposals.--In order to analyze 
     the need for or the value of any proposal made by a joint 
     venture or company requesting the Director's assistance under 
     this section, or to monitor the progress of any project which 
     receives funds under this section, the Director shall consult 
     with industry or other expert sources that do not have a 
     proprietary or financial interest in the proposal or project.
       ``(e) Intellectual Property Rights Ownership.--
       ``(1) In general.--Title to any intellectual property 
     developed by a joint venture from assistance provided under 
     this section may vest in any participant in the joint 
     venture, as agreed by the members of the joint venture, 
     notwithstanding section 202(a) and (b) of title 35, United 
     States Code. The United States may reserve a nonexclusive, 
     nontransferable, irrevocable paid-up license, to have 
     practiced for or on behalf of the United States in connection 
     with any such intellectual property, but shall not in the 
     exercise of such license publicly disclose proprietary 
     information related to the license. Title to any such 
     intellectual property shall not be transferred or passed, 
     except to a participant in the joint venture, until the 
     expiration of the first patent obtained in connection with 
     such intellectual property.
       ``(2) Licensing.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
     construed to prohibit the licensing to any company of 
     intellectual property rights arising from assistance provided 
     under this section.
       ``(3) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     term `intellectual property' means an invention patentable 
     under title 35, United States Code, or any patent on such an 
     invention, or any work for which copyright protection is 
     available under title 17, United States Code.

[[Page 13350]]

       ``(f) Program Operation.--Not later than 9 months after the 
     date of enactment of the Technology Innovation and 
     Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007, the Director shall 
     issue regulations--
       ``(1) establishing criteria for the selection of recipients 
     of assistance under this section;
       ``(2) establishing procedures regarding financial reporting 
     and auditing to ensure that contracts and awards are used for 
     the purposes specified in this section, are in accordance 
     with sound accounting practices, and are not funding existing 
     or planned research programs that would be conducted in the 
     same time period in the absence of financial assistance under 
     this section; and
       ``(3) providing for appropriate dissemination of Technology 
     Innovation Program research results.
       ``(g) Continuation of ATP Grants.--The Director shall, 
     through the Technology Innovation Program, continue to 
     provide support originally awarded under the Advanced 
     Technology Program, in accordance with the terms of the 
     original award.
       ``(h) Coordination With Other State and Federal Technology 
     Programs.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall, 
     as appropriate, coordinate with other senior State and 
     Federal officials to ensure cooperation and coordination in 
     State and Federal technology programs and to avoid 
     unnecessary duplication of efforts.
       ``(i) Acceptance of Funds From Other Federal Agencies.--In 
     addition to amounts appropriated to carry out this section, 
     the Secretary and the Director may accept funds from other 
     Federal agencies to support awards under the Technology 
     Innovation Program. Any award under this section which is 
     supported with funds from other Federal agencies shall be 
     selected and carried out according to the provisions of this 
     section.
       ``(j) TIP Advisory Board.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Institute a Technology Innovation Program Advisory Board. The 
     TIP Advisory Board shall consist of 10 members appointed by 
     the Director, at least 7 of which shall be from United States 
     industry, chosen to reflect the wide diversity of technical 
     disciplines and industrial sectors represented in Technology 
     Innovation Program projects. No member shall be an employee 
     of the Federal Government.
       ``(2) Terms of office.--(A) Except as provided in 
     subparagraph (B) or (C), the term of office of each member of 
     the TIP Advisory Board shall be 3 years.
       ``(B) The original members of the TIP Advisory Board shall 
     be appointed to 3 classes. One class of 3 members shall have 
     an initial term of 1 year, one class of 3 members shall have 
     an initial term of 2 years, and one class of 4 members shall 
     have an initial term of 3 years.
       ``(C) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring 
     prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor 
     was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such 
     term.
       ``(D) Any person who has completed two consecutive full 
     terms of service on the TIP Advisory Board shall thereafter 
     be ineligible for appointment during the one-year period 
     following the expiration of the second such term.
       ``(3) Purpose.--The TIP Advisory Board shall meet no less 
     than 2 times annually, and provide to the Director--
       ``(A) advice on programs, plans, and policies of the 
     Technology Innovation Program;
       ``(B) reviews of the Technology Innovation Program's 
     efforts to assess its economic impact;
       ``(C) reports on the general health of the program and its 
     effectiveness in achieving its legislatively mandated 
     mission;
       ``(D) guidance on areas of technology that are appropriate 
     for Technology Innovation Program funding; and
       ``(E) recommendations as to whether, in order to better 
     assess whether specific innovations to be pursued are being 
     adequately supported by the private sector, the Director 
     could benefit from advice and information from additional 
     industry and other expert sources without a proprietary or 
     financial interest in proposals being evaluated.
       ``(4) Advisory capacity.--In discharging its duties under 
     this subsection, the TIP Advisory Board shall function solely 
     in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal 
     Advisory Committee Act.
       ``(5) Annual report.--The TIP Advisory Board shall transmit 
     an annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to the 
     Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of 
     the President's annual budget request in each year. Such 
     report shall address the status of the Technology Innovation 
     Program and comment on the relevant sections of the 
     programmatic planning document and updates thereto 
     transmitted to the Congress by the Director under section 
     23(c) and (d).
       ``(k) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `eligible company' means a company that is 
     incorporated in the United States and does a majority of its 
     business in the United States, and that either--
       ``(A) is majority owned by citizens of the United States; 
     or
       ``(B) is owned by a parent company incorporated in another 
     country and the Director finds that--
       ``(i) the company's participation in the Technology 
     Innovation Program would be in the economic interest of the 
     United States, as evidenced by--

       ``(I) investments in the United States in research and 
     manufacturing (including the manufacture of major components 
     or subassemblies in the United States);
       ``(II) significant contributions to employment in the 
     United States; and
       ``(III) agreement with respect to any technology arising 
     from assistance provided under this section to promote the 
     manufacture within the United States of products resulting 
     from that technology (taking into account the goals of 
     promoting the competitiveness of United States industry); and

       ``(ii) the company is incorporated in a country which--

       ``(I) affords to United States-owned companies 
     opportunities, comparable to those afforded to any other 
     company, to participate in any joint venture similar to those 
     receiving funding under this section;
       ``(II) affords to United States-owned companies local 
     investment opportunities comparable to those afforded any 
     other company; and
       ``(III) affords adequate and effective protection for the 
     intellectual property rights of United States-owned 
     companies;

       ``(2) the term `high-risk, high-reward research' means 
     research that--
       ``(A) has the potential for yielding results with far-
     ranging or wide-ranging implications;
       ``(B) addresses critical national needs related to 
     technology and measurement standards; and
       ``(C) is too novel or spans too diverse a range of 
     disciplines to fare well in the traditional peer review 
     process.
       ``(3) the term `institution of higher education' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
       ``(4) the term `joint venture' means a joint venture that--
       ``(A) includes either--
       ``(i) at least 2 separately owned for-profit companies that 
     are both substantially involved in the project and both of 
     which are contributing to the cost-sharing required under 
     this section, with the lead entity of the joint venture being 
     one of those companies that is a small or medium-sized 
     business; or
       ``(ii) at least one small or medium-sized business and one 
     institution of higher education or other organization, such 
     as a national laboratory or nonprofit research institute, 
     that are both substantially involved in the project and both 
     of which are contributing to the cost-sharing required under 
     this section, with the lead entity of the joint venture being 
     either that small or medium-sized business or that 
     institution of higher education; and
       ``(B) may include additional for-profit companies, 
     institutions of higher education, and other organizations, 
     such as national laboratories and nonprofit research 
     institutes, that may or may not contribute non-Federal funds 
     to the project; and
       ``(5) the term `TIP Advisory Board' means the advisory 
     board established under subsection (j).''.

     SEC. 425. RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS.

       Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-l) is amended by striking ``up 
     to 1 per centum of the'' and inserting ``up to 1.5 percent of 
     the''.

     SEC. 426. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT GRANTS.

       The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating the first section 32 (15 U.S.C. 271 
     note) as section 34 and moving it to the end of the Act; and
       (2) by inserting before the section moved by paragraph (1) 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 33. COLLABORATIVE MANUFACTURING RESEARCH PILOT GRANTS.

       ``(a) Authority.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a pilot 
     program of awards to partnerships among participants 
     described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in 
     paragraph (3). Awards shall be made on a peer-reviewed, 
     competitive basis.
       ``(2) Participants.--Such partnerships shall include at 
     least--
       ``(A) 1 manufacturing industry partner; and
       ``(B) 1 nonindustry partner.
       ``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program under this 
     section is to foster cost-shared collaborations among firms, 
     educational institutions, research institutions, State 
     agencies, and nonprofit organizations to encourage the 
     development of innovative, multidisciplinary manufacturing 
     technologies. Partnerships receiving awards under this 
     section shall conduct applied research to develop new 
     manufacturing processes, techniques, or materials that would 
     contribute to improved performance, productivity, and 
     competitiveness of United States manufacturing, and build 
     lasting alliances among collaborators.
       ``(b) Program Contribution.--Awards under this section 
     shall provide for not more

[[Page 13351]]

     than one-third of the costs of a partnership. Not more than 
     an additional one-third of such costs may be obtained 
     directly or indirectly from other Federal sources.
       ``(c) Applications.--Applications for awards under this 
     section shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and 
     containing such information as the Director shall require. 
     Such applications shall describe at a minimum--
       ``(1) how each partner will participate in developing and 
     carrying out the research agenda of the partnership;
       ``(2) the research that the grant would fund; and
       ``(3) how the research to be funded with the award would 
     contribute to improved performance, productivity, and 
     competitiveness of the United States manufacturing industry.
       ``(d) Selection Criteria.--In selecting applications for 
     awards under this section, the Director shall consider at a 
     minimum--
       ``(1) the degree to which projects will have a broad impact 
     on manufacturing;
       ``(2) the novelty and scientific and technical merit of the 
     proposed projects; and
       ``(3) the demonstrated capabilities of the applicants to 
     successfully carry out the proposed research.
       ``(e) Distribution.--In selecting applications under this 
     section the Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, 
     a distribution of overall awards among a variety of 
     manufacturing industry sectors and a range of firm sizes.
       ``(f) Duration.--In carrying out this section, the Director 
     shall run a single pilot competition to solicit and make 
     awards. Each award shall be for a 3-year period.''.

     SEC. 427. MANUFACTURING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

       Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-1) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The 
     Director is authorized''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Manufacturing Fellowship Program.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--To promote the development of a 
     robust research community working at the leading edge of 
     manufacturing sciences, the Director shall establish a 
     program to award--
       ``(A) postdoctoral research fellowships at the Institute 
     for research activities related to manufacturing sciences; 
     and
       ``(B) senior research fellowships to established 
     researchers in industry or at institutions of higher 
     education who wish to pursue studies related to the 
     manufacturing sciences at the Institute.
       ``(2) Applications.--To be eligible for an award under this 
     subsection, an individual shall submit an application to the 
     Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Director may require.
       ``(3) Stipend levels.--Under this subsection, the Director 
     shall provide stipends for postdoctoral research fellowships 
     at a level consistent with the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 
     Program, and senior research fellowships at levels consistent 
     with support for a faculty member in a sabbatical 
     position.''.

     SEC. 428. MEETINGS OF VISITING COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED 
                   TECHNOLOGY.

       Section 10(d) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278(d)) is amended by striking 
     ``quarterly'' and inserting ``twice each year''.

     SEC. 429. MANUFACTURING RESEARCH DATABASE.

       (a) Establishment.--The National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology shall provide for the establishment of a 
     manufacturing research database to enable private sector 
     individuals and Federal officials to access a broad range of 
     information on manufacturing research carried out with 
     funding support from the Federal Government.
       (b) Contents.--The database established under subsection 
     (a) shall contain--
       (1) all publicly available information maintained by a 
     Federal agency relating to manufacturing research projects 
     funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government; and
       (2) information about all Federal programs that may be of 
     interest to manufacturers.
       (c) Accessibility.--Information contained in the database 
     shall be accessible in a manner to enable users of the 
     database to easily retrieve information of specific interest 
     to them.
       (d) Fees.--The National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology may authorize charging a nominal fee for using the 
     database to access information described in subsection (b)(1) 
     as necessary to recover the costs of maintaining the 
     database.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology $2,000,000 for carrying out this section.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

     SEC. 441. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWS.

       Section 19 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-2) is amended by striking 
     ``nor more than 60 new fellows'' and inserting ``nor more 
     than 120 new fellows''.

     SEC. 442. FINANCIAL AGREEMENTS CLARIFICATION.

       Section 2(b)(4) of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(4)) is amended by inserting 
     ``and grants and cooperative agreements,'' after 
     ``arrangements,''.

     SEC. 443. WORKING CAPITAL FUND TRANSFERS.

       Section 12 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278b) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(g) Amount and Source of Transfers.--Not more than one-
     quarter of one percent of the amounts appropriated to the 
     Institute for any fiscal year may be transferred to the fund, 
     in addition to any other transfer authority. In addition, 
     funds provided to the Institute from other Federal agencies 
     for the purpose of production of Standard Reference Materials 
     may be transferred to the fund.''.

     SEC. 444. RETENTION OF DEPRECIATION SURCHARGE.

       Section 14 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278d) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Within''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Retention of Fees.--The Director is authorized to 
     retain all building use and depreciation surcharge fees 
     collected pursuant to OMB Circular A-25. Such fees shall be 
     collected and credited to the Construction of Research 
     Facilities Appropriation Account for use in maintenance and 
     repair of the Institute's existing facilities.''.

     SEC. 445. NON-ENERGY INVENTIONS PROGRAM.

       Section 27 of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278m) is repealed.

     SEC. 446. REDEFINITION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM.

       Section 3570 of the Revised Statues of the United States 
     (derived from section 2 of the Act of July 28, 1866, entitled 
     ``An Act to authorize the Use of the Metric System of Weights 
     and Measures'' (15 U.S.C. 205; 14 Stat. 339)) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 3570. METRIC SYSTEM DEFINED.

       ``The metric system of measurement shall be defined as the 
     International System of Units as established in 1960, and 
     subsequently maintained, by the General Conference of Weights 
     and Measures, and as interpreted or modified for the United 
     States by the Secretary of Commerce.''.

     SEC. 447. REPEAL OF REDUNDANT AND OBSOLETE AUTHORITY.

       The Act of July 21, 1950, entitled ``An Act To redefine the 
     units and establish the standards of electrical and 
     photometric measurements'' (15 U.S.C. 223 and 224) is 
     repealed.

     SEC. 448. CLARIFICATION OF STANDARD TIME AND TIME ZONES.

       (a) Section 1 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known 
     as the ``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 261) is amended--
       (1) by striking the second sentence and the extra period 
     after it and inserting ``Except as provided in section 3(a) 
     of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 260a), the 
     standard time of the first zone shall be Coordinated 
     Universal Time retarded by 4 hours; that of the second zone 
     retarded by 5 hours; that of the third zone retarded by 6 
     hours; that of the four zone retarded by 7 hours; that of the 
     fifth zone retarded by 8 hours; that of the sixth zone 
     retarded by 9 hours; that of the seventh zone retarded by 10 
     hours; that of the eighth zone retarded by 11 hours; and that 
     of the ninth zone shall be Coordinated Universal Time 
     advanced by 10 hours.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following: ``In this section, 
     the term `Coordinated Universal Time' means the time scale 
     maintained through the General Conference of Weights and 
     Measures and interpreted or modified for the United States by 
     the Secretary of Commerce in coordination with the Secretary 
     of the Navy.''.
       (b) Section 3 of the Act of March 19, 1918, (commonly known 
     as the ``Calder Act'') (15 U.S.C. 264) is amended by striking 
     ``third zone'' and inserting ``fourth zone''.

     SEC. 449. PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology may procure the temporary or 
     intermittent services of experts or consultants (or 
     organizations thereof) in accordance with section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code to assist on urgent or short-term 
     research projects.
       (b) Extent of Authority.--A procurement under this section 
     may not exceed 1 year in duration, and the Director shall 
     procure no more than 200 experts and consultants per year.
       (c) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective after 
     September 30, 2010.
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
     report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate on whether 
     additional safeguards would be needed with respect to the use 
     of authorities granted under this section if such authorities 
     were to be made permanent.

     SEC. 450. MALCOLM BALDRIGE AWARDS.

       Section 17(c)(3) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
     Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3711a(c)(3)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(3) In any year, not more than 18 awards may be made 
     under this section to recipients

[[Page 13352]]

     who have not previously received an award under this section, 
     and no award shall be made within any category described in 
     paragraph (1) if there are no qualifying enterprises in that 
     category.''.

                  TITLE V--HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING

     SEC. 501. HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                   PROGRAM.

       Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
     U.S.C. 5511 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in the title heading, by striking ``AND THE NATIONAL 
     RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK'' and inserting ``RESEARCH AND 
     DEVELOPMENT'';
       (2) in section 101(a)--
       (A) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(A) provide for long-term basic and applied research on 
     high-performance computing;
       ``(B) provide for research and development on, and 
     demonstration of, technologies to advance the capacity and 
     capabilities of high-performance computing and networking 
     systems;
       ``(C) provide for sustained access by the research 
     community in the United States to high-performance computing 
     systems that are among the most advanced in the world in 
     terms of performance in solving scientific and engineering 
     problems, including provision for technical support for users 
     of such systems;
       ``(D) provide for efforts to increase software 
     availability, productivity, capability, security, 
     portability, and reliability;
       ``(E) provide for high-performance networks, including 
     experimental testbed networks, to enable research and 
     development on, and demonstration of, advanced applications 
     enabled by such networks;
       ``(F) provide for computational science and engineering 
     research on mathematical modeling and algorithms for 
     applications in all fields of science and engineering;
       ``(G) provide for the technical support of, and research 
     and development on, high-performance computing systems and 
     software required to address Grand Challenges;
       ``(H) provide for educating and training additional 
     undergraduate and graduate students in software engineering, 
     computer science, computer and network security, applied 
     mathematics, library and information science, and 
     computational science; and
       ``(I) provide for improving the security of computing and 
     networking systems, including Federal systems, including 
     research required to establish security standards and 
     practices for these systems.'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraphs 
     (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively;
       (C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated by subparagraph 
     (B) of this paragraph--
       (i) by striking subparagraph (B);
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (D) and (F), respectively;
       (iii) by inserting before subparagraph (D), as so 
     redesignated by clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the 
     following new subparagraphs:
       ``(A) establish the goals and priorities for Federal high-
     performance computing research, development, networking, and 
     other activities;
       ``(B) establish Program Component Areas that implement the 
     goals established under subparagraph (A), and identify the 
     Grand Challenges that the Program should address;
       ``(C) provide for interagency coordination of Federal high-
     performance computing research, development, networking, and 
     other activities undertaken pursuant to the Program;''; and
       (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (D), as so 
     redesignated by clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(E) develop and maintain a research, development, and 
     deployment roadmap for the provision of high-performance 
     computing systems under paragraph (1)(C); and''; and
       (D) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated by subparagraph 
     (B) of this paragraph--
       (i) by striking ``paragraph (3)(A)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraph (2)(D)'';
       (ii) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
       ``(A) provide a detailed description of the Program 
     Component Areas, including a description of any changes in 
     the definition of or activities under the Program Component 
     Areas from the preceding report, and the reasons for such 
     changes, and a description of Grand Challenges supported 
     under the Program;'';
       (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``specific 
     activities'' and all that follows through ``the Network'' and 
     inserting ``each Program Component Area'';
       (iv) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``and for each 
     Program Component Area'' after ``participating in the 
     Program'';
       (v) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``applies;'' and 
     inserting ``applies; and'';
       (vi) by striking subparagraph (E) and redesignating 
     subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (E); and
       (vii) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated by clause 
     (vi) of this subparagraph, by inserting ``and the extent to 
     which the Program incorporates the recommendations of the 
     advisory committee established under subsection (b)'' after 
     ``for the Program'';
       (3) by striking subsection (b) of section 101 and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(b) Advisory Committee.--(1) The President shall 
     establish an advisory committee on high-performance computing 
     consisting of non-Federal members, including representatives 
     of the research, education, and library communities, network 
     providers, and industry, who are specially qualified to 
     provide the Director with advice and information on high-
     performance computing. The recommendations of the advisory 
     committee shall be considered in reviewing and revising the 
     Program. The advisory committee shall provide the Director 
     with an independent assessment of--
       ``(A) progress made in implementing the Program;
       ``(B) the need to revise the Program;
       ``(C) the balance between the components of the Program, 
     including funding levels for the Program Component Areas;
       ``(D) whether the research and development undertaken 
     pursuant to the Program is helping to maintain United States 
     leadership in high-performance computing and networking 
     technology; and
       ``(E) other issues identified by the Director.
       ``(2) In addition to the duties outlined in paragraph (1), 
     the advisory committee shall conduct periodic evaluations of 
     the funding, management, coordination, implementation, and 
     activities of the Program, and shall report not less 
     frequently than once every two fiscal years to the Committee 
     on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate on its findings and recommendations. The first report 
     shall be due within one year after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph.
       ``(3) Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
     shall not apply to the advisory committee established by this 
     subsection.''; and
       (4) in section 101(c)(1)(A), by striking ``Program or'' and 
     inserting ``Program Component Areas or''.

     SEC. 502. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 
     U.S.C. 5503) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and multidisciplinary 
     teams of researchers'' after ``high-performance computing 
     resources'';
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``scientific workstations,'';
       (B) by striking ``(including vector supercomputers and 
     large scale parallel systems)'';
       (C) by striking ``and applications'' and inserting 
     ``applications''; and
       (D) by inserting ``, and the management of large data 
     sets'' after ``systems software'';
       (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``packet switched'';
       (4) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (5);
       (5) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (6) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(7) `Program Component Areas' means the major subject 
     areas under which are grouped related individual projects and 
     activities carried out under the Program.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Wu) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 2272, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2272 is the culmination of a year-and-a-half-long 
bipartisan effort by members of the Science and Technology Committee to 
pass a package of competitiveness bills in response to recommendations 
in the 2005 National Academy of Sciences report, Rising Above the 
Gathering Storm. H.R. 2272, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 
2007, is simply a package of five bills, each of which already has 
passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority over 
the last 2 months.
  We created a single bill as a basis for initiating discussions with 
the other Chamber on a comprehensive competitiveness bill that we could 
send to the President for his signature this year.
  The five bills rolled into H.R. 2272 are H.R. 362, the 10,000 
Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act; H.R. 363, 
the Sowing the Seeds

[[Page 13353]]

through Science and Engineering Research Act; H.R. 1867, the National 
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007; H.R. 1868, the Technology 
Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007; and H.R. 1068, to 
amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991.
  I want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall of the 
Science and Technology Committee for their bipartisan leadership on 
this bill and, in particular, on the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds 
Science and Math Scholarship Act.
  I also want to thank the ranking member of the Technology and 
Innovation Subcommittee, Mr. Gingrey, and the Chair and ranking member 
of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee, Mr. Baird and Mr. 
Ehlers, for all of their hard work on the NIST and NSF bills.
  I also want to thank all of the members of the Science and Technology 
Committee on both sides of the aisle for their contributions to these 
bills and for helping to move every one of them expeditiously and 
unanimously through the committee.
  I especially want to thank the staff of the Science and Technology 
Committee on the majority side, Jim Wilson, Dahlia Sokolov, Colin 
McCormick, Mike Quear and our chief of staff, Chuck Atkins; on the 
minority side, Amy Carroll and Mele Williams. And my friend from the 
other side may have additional names to add to that list.
  Let me spend just a moment reminding my colleagues why we introduced 
this bill and why we urge support today.
  In 2005, the National Academies assembled a blue-ribbon committee of 
national leaders in academia, business and government to address 
concerns about national prosperity in the global economy of the 21st 
century. The Academies' report was titled Rising Above the Gathering 
Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future.
  That report cataloged a number of worrisome indicators about the U.S. 
position in an increasingly competitive world and provided 
recommendations to enable the Nation to maintain its competitiveness. 
The core recom-
mendations are as follows: Recruit and train highly qualified science 
and math teachers; sustain and strengthen the Nation's traditional 
commitment to long-term, basic research; make the United States the 
most attractive setting in which to study and perform research so that 
we can develop, recruit and retain the best and brightest minds; ensure 
that the U.S. is the premier place in the world in which to innovate.
  The bill before us today goes a long way in addressing all of those 
recommendations.
  H.R. 2272 puts and keeps the National Science Foundation and the NIST 
research labs on a 10-year path to doubling their projects.
  The bill helps to train thousands of new teachers and provide current 
teachers with content and pedagogical expertise in their area of 
teaching.
  The bill expands programs to enhance the undergraduate education of 
our future science and engineering workforce.
  The bill expands early career grant programs for outstanding young 
investigators at both the NSF and the Department of Energy.
  The bill strengthens interagency planning and coordination for 
research infrastructure and information technology.
  Mr. Speaker, in this increasingly competitive world, where jobs are 
rapidly being outsourced and we are importing more high-tech products 
than we are exporting, now is the time to act. Now is the time to 
strengthen our support for the creativity, innovation and talented 
workforce that makes the United States unique and gives us our edge.
  The day our universities are no longer the most sought after in the 
world, the day we see a brain drain because our best and brightest 
young scientists and entrepreneurs can't get the funding to do their 
research and technology development here at home, the day that our 
innovation is outsourced, that is the day that truly concerns me.
  H.R. 2272 is a key piece of the innovation agenda to make sure that 
that day never comes. It has the support of many businesses, 
professional associations and higher education groups and has already 
been passed in its five pieces by an overwhelming majority of Members 
of the House on both sides of the aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking 
Member Hall and all the members of the Science and Technology Committee 
for their hard work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 2272.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 2272, the 21st Century 
Competitiveness Act.
  As my dear friend and colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) 
just stated, this legislation pretty much packages five bills that have 
already passed the House with, frankly, an overwhelming majority of the 
votes. In order to force a conference with the other body, we're now 
again trying to put these together.
  As was stated here just a few weeks ago by Ranking Member Hall and, 
frankly, right now by my dear friend Mr. Wu, H.R. 362 and H.R. 363 
include many of the provisions from last year's competitiveness 
legislation, as well as additional recommendations from the National 
Academy of Sciences Rising Above the Gathering Storm report, again as 
Mr. Wu just mentioned.
  This report and the President's American Competitiveness Initiative, 
known as ACI, have emphasized the importance of strengthening science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics education in the United States 
to ensure that the Nation's workforce can compete globally in high-
tech, high-value industries.
  It's imperative, Mr. Speaker, that we do all we can to stay ahead of 
the curve and ensure that the next generation of high-tech industries 
and products are developed here in the United States, as Mr. Wu just 
said. These provisions are steps in the right direction.
  Also, as part of the ACI, President Bush targeted investment in 
physical science research to be doubled over the next 10 years at the 
National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, and the Office of Science at the Department of Energy.
  I want to thank Mr. Ehlers and Mr. Gingrey for their extensive input 
in developing these bills and my Democratic colleagues for 
incorporating our priorities into this bipartisan legislation.
  I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I didn't especially thank the 
staff. As you know, Mr. Speaker, they do an incredible amount of work. 
They do so usually behind the scenes, don't get a lot of the credit. 
There's a couple here that have done an incredible job. Margaret 
Caravelli is here to my left and Leslee Gilbert, who is also here, have 
done an incredible job, and we never thank them enough. So, therefore, 
I want to do that today here on the floor.
  I'm glad that H.R. 2272 includes Mrs. Biggert's High Performance 
Computing Act. This part of the bill will improve our investment in 
high-performance computing research.
  H.R. 2272 authorizes an investment in our future, an investment for 
continued technological advancement, and an investment to keep the 
United States as the leader, frankly, in the global marketplace.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2272. I thank all those who 
have worked on it. It's always a privilege to work with my dear friend, 
Mr. Wu.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to support H.R. 2272, 
the

[[Page 13354]]

21st Century Competitiveness Act, and I want to thank the gentleman 
from Florida for yielding. I want to thank my chairman on the 
Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, Mr. David Wu of Oregon.
  This legislation we are voting on today is a combination of bills 
which the House has already overwhelmingly passed, reauthorization 
bills for both the National Science Foundation and the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, as well as bills to promote 
science, technology, engineering and math, what we refer to as STEM 
education in our country.
  Last year, with the American Competitiveness Initiative, President 
Bush laid out a vision to maintain America's edge in the global 
marketplace. These goals were spurred by a report issued by the 
National Academies, and it was entitled, as the gentleman from Florida 
said, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm.''
  This report looked at ways in which the Federal Government could 
enhance our country's science and technology enterprise so that we can 
continue to compete and prosper globally.
  The Commission made a variety of recommendations. Some of them 
include reforming K-12 education, as well as expanding and 
strengthening the basic research and science and engineering conducted 
in America. This comprehensive innovation bill addresses these 
concerns, and it helps to fulfill this vision. That's why I am proud, 
proud, to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 2272.
  One provision in this legislation reauthorizes the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology, NIST, an agency in the Department of 
Commerce, as one of the three agencies highlighted by the President's 
American Competitiveness Initiative, and it falls under the 
jurisdiction of the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee of which, as 
I said at the outset, I am a proud member.
  The NIST employees play a critical role in NIST research, which 
enables cutting-edge technologies to make the leap from a basic 
research situation into successful commercial products. This is 
accomplished at NIST by conducting research that supports United States 
technology infrastructure by developing the tools to measure, to 
evaluate, and standardize processes and products in almost all 
industrial sectors, bullet-proof vests all the way to nanotechnology.
  From rewarding younger students for continuing their work in the 
fields of science and engineering, to increasing the amount of grants 
available to teachers and students who pursue continuing education in 
the STEM, science, technology, engineering, math fields, to providing 
financial aid to students who make a commitment that after college they 
will teach, working to ensure that we have a strong United States 
manufacturing base, H.R. 2272 takes many important and critical first 
steps toward keeping America competitive.
  Mr. Speaker, I again want to underline my wholehearted support for 
the 21st Century Competitiveness Act, and I urge all my colleagues, as 
I know they will, to do the same.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I just want to urge 
the adoption of this good legislation. I thank Mr. Wu for his 
leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WU. I would also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Mario Diaz-
Balart, for his leadership on the committee and for his good works on 
these bills.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to reiterate to my colleagues that these are 
five pieces of legislation which have already passed the House of 
Representatives by massive margins. I urge all of my colleagues to 
support this unified version of the bill.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to support 
H.R. 2272, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007.
  America has long been a center for science and engineering discovery. 
Just looking back over the 20th century, American ingenuity has been 
truly incredible. From Ford's Model T in 1908 and on to the personal 
computer in 1981, American innovations have transformed our Nation and 
the world, again and again, creating whole new industries and 
occupations. Going forward, new innovations will continue to be 
critical, both in maintaining a solid industrial and economic base and 
increasing our standard of living.
  Federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, NSF, and 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, play a key 
role by funding cutting-edge research and training the next generation 
of scientists and engineers. Without Federal investment in Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Math, STEM, research and education, very 
little of this achievement would have been possible--and we must 
continue this strong Federal support to reinforce our global 
competitiveness and our prosperity.
  H.R. 2272, of which I am a cosponsor, will help strengthen and 
improve research and education efforts at NSF and NIST, helping to 
ensure that the United States continues to be a science and technology 
leader. Specifically, the legislation will reauthorize both NIST and 
NSF, as well as update the High Performance Computing Act of 1991.
  For NSF, H.R. 2272 will continue the effort to double its funding 
over a 10 year time period by authorizing almost $21 billion for fiscal 
years 2008-2010. The bill will also encourage the participation of more 
scientists who have not received NSF funding in the past through 1-year 
seed grants. By targeting these grants toward these new recipients, the 
legislation will help support early career researchers and encourage 
higher-risk research.
  The legislation also includes a needed funding increase for overall 
laboratory research at NIST. As part of the American Competitiveness 
initiative, NIST will use these funds to expand upon its world-class 
research, ensuring that the United States will continue to be globally 
competitive in many industries. I am also pleased to see that the 
legislation reauthorizes and gradually increases funding for key 
technology transfer programs like the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership, MEP, program and the Technology Innovation Program, TIP.
  NIST is particularly important to me because one of its key 
laboratories is located in Boulder, Colorado, in my district. The 
Boulder labs employ more than 350 people and serve as a science and 
engineering center for significant research across the Nation.
  A critical component of this legislation is that it includes funding 
for construction at these laboratories. NIST's Boulder facilities have 
contributed to great scientific advances, but they are now over 50 
years old and have not been well maintained. Many environmental factors 
such as the humidity and vibrations from traffic can affect the quality 
of research performed at NIST. In fiscal year 2007, NIST-Boulder will 
begin an extension of Building 1 to make room for a Precision Metrology 
lab. This new facility will allow for incredibly precise control of 
temperature, relative humidity, air filtration and vibration to advance 
research on critical technologies, such as atomic clocks 
telecommunications, and nanomaterials. To complete this extension, NIST 
will need further funding in fiscal years 2008 and 2009. H.R. 2272 
authorizes this critical funding.
  As co-chair of the STEM Education caucus, I am also pleased that H.R. 
2272 contains support and funding for NSF's STEM education programs. 
These programs include the Math and Science Partnerships program and 
the Noyce Scholarships program, as well as several STEM education 
grants that focus on teacher professional development. These will help 
increase the number of well-qualified science and math teachers across 
the country, both through creating more teachers from current college 
students and by providing better training for the teachers already in 
our schools.
  I would like to thank Science and Technology Committee Chairman 
Gordon, as well as Ranking Member Hall and the other original 
cosponsors, for introducing this critical bipartisan legislation and 
working to bring it to the floor today.
  I think we all recognize that investing in basic research and STEM 
education is critical for a strong economy and national security, and 
H.R. 2272 will help us improve the critical support for STEM education 
and research. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for this 
important legislation.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2272, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007. Innovation has 
been a priority of the new Democratic majority in the 110th Congress; 
we have worked to ensure that the United States continues to be the 
global leader in technological innovation and progress. I strongly 
support this legislation, which encourages our Nation to invest in 
research and development, and I urge my colleagues to do so as well.
  According to a 2005 report by The National Academies, the United 
States is in danger of

[[Page 13355]]

losing the competitive edge it currently enjoys in the global economy. 
Despite our proud tradition of innovation, this report warns that 
immediate action is necessary to ensure that the United States 
continues to be a leader in technological progress into the 21st 
century. This Congress is fully committed to answering that challenge.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2272 contains many important provisions to 
strengthen America's prospects for global competitiveness. It improves 
and strengthens a number of scholarship programs at all levels of 
study, encouraging students and young people to pursue further 
education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and 
computing. Additionally, the bill establishes programs to provide 
support for researchers in science and engineering fields.
  H.R. 2272 also reaffirms our commitment to scientific excellence by 
reauthorizing the National Science Foundation, NSF, for 3 years. The 
NSF ensures a continued national supply of scientific and engineering 
personnel, while promoting basic research and education across a wide 
array of scientific and technological disciplines. By authorizing 
continued funding for this institution, H.R. 2272 is an important step 
towards ensuring continued American scientific progress.
  In the interest of both economic prosperity and military capability, 
the United States must continue producing a workforce knowledgeable to 
maintain technological competitiveness. If we are to do this, this 
Congress must continue funding and strengthening needed investments in 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and 
research. Supporting this bill is an important step, and I strongly 
urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2272.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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