[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46631-46632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19935]


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OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY


National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Research 
Business Models

ACTION: Request for information regarding National Science and 
Technology Council/Committee on Science/Subcommittee on Research 
Business Models.

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SUMMARY: The Subcommittee on Research Business Models is undertaking a 
review of policies, procedures, and plans relating to the business 
relationship between federal agencies and research performers with the 
goal of improving the performance and management of federally sponsored 
basic and applied scientific and engineering research. As part of that 
effort, the Subcommittee will hold a series of regional workshops in 
the Fall of 2003 to solicit input and feedback from the research 
performer community. This notice is intended to collect data that will 
assist the Subcommittee in setting agendas for those regional 
workshops.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Due to potential delays in OSTP's receipt and processing of 
mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we encourage respondents to 
submit comments electronically to ensure timely receipt. We cannot 
guarantee that comments sent via surface mail will be received before 
the comment closing date.
    Electronic comments may be submitted to: [email protected]. 
Please include in the subject line the words ``NSTC Research Business 
Models Comments'' and a reference to the relevant items, enumerated 
below as A-J. Please put the full body of your comments in the text of 
the electronic message and as an attachment. Be certain to include your 
name, title, organization, postal address, telephone number, and E-mail 
address in the text of the message.
    Comments may be mailed to Michael J. Holland; Office of Science & 
Technology Policy; 1650 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20502. 
But again, we strongly encourage respondents to submit comments 
electronically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Notice, 
please call Michael Holland, Office of Science & Technology Policy, 
(202) 456-6069 (direct) and e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This notice requests data and specific examples from the general 
public and all interested parties regarding the activities of the 
Subcommittee on Research Business Models chartered under the Committee 
on Science of the National Science and Technology Council. The 
Committee on Science realizes that much has changed about the practice 
of scientific research over the last several years. The purpose of the 
Subcommittee on Research Business Models is to advise and assist the 
Committee on Science and the NSTC on policies, procedures, and plans 
relating to business models to improve the efficiency, effectiveness 
and accountability of the Federal research and development enterprise 
in a manner cognizant of currently available resources. The 
Subcommittee will
    [sbull] Facilitate a strong, coordinated effort across federal 
agencies to identify and address important policy implications arising 
from the changing nature of basic and applied research.
    [sbull] Examine the concomitant influence these changes have had or 
should have on business models and business practices for the conduct 
of basic and applied research sponsored by the Federal government and 
carried out by academic, industrial, and government entities.
    [sbull] Review the challenges to improved performance and 
mechanisms for more transparent accountability of the research 
enterprise.
    The membership of the Subcommittee includes representatives from 
fifteen Federal departments and agencies that support or are engaged in 
research activities. The Subcommittee on Research Business Models will 
consult and coordinate with other ongoing, relevant efforts including, 
but not limited to, those of the Interagency Electronic Grants 
Committee (IAEGC) and the CFO Grants Management Council (GMC) Public 
Law 106-107 Workgroups.

Request for Information

    In order to assist the public in its response, the Subcommittee has 
identified the following areas in which they would like to receive 
comments, including how changes in these areas have impacted research 
costs. However, the Subcommittee welcomes comments and suggestions in 
other areas that may not be included in the following questions.
    A. Accountability. What constitutes accountability for the 
Federally-supported research enterprise? How can performers best 
demonstrate results or return on Federal research investments? Please 
suggest mechanisms whereby research managers can more transparently 
demonstrate responsible use of public resources.
    B. Inconsistency of policies and practices among Federal agencies. 
Can you identify specific Federal policies and practices that if 
simplified would improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the 
research enterprise? Can the impact of inconsistent policies and 
practices among Federal agencies on the research environment be 
quantified? Among the variations in policies and practices, which 
practices appear to be the best? Why?
    C. Inconsistency of policies and practices among universities. Can 
you identify specific university policies and practices that if 
simplified would improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the 
research enterprise?
    D. State and Institutional requirements. What is the prevalence and 
impact of state and institutional requirements that are added to 
Federal requirements for research funding?
    E. Regulatory requirements. Is there a more efficient approach to 
meeting the intent of the current suite of administrative requirements 
and regulations? Please provide examples.
    F. Research support. How can public funding mechanisms and policies 
encourage or discourage innovative approaches to research? Does the 
current process for research funding

[[Page 46632]]

encourage or discourage innovative research? How do support mechanisms 
influence the mix of investigators supported (e.g., principal 
investigators, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate 
students, or technicians)? How can changes in the conduct of science 
and engineering necessitate modified funding models? Are data available 
to help decide these questions?
    G. Multidisciplinary/collaborative research. Are any funding 
organizations, either inside or outside of government, employing 
funding mechanisms or strategies that are particularly effective in 
encouraging multidisciplinary work, collaborative activities, and other 
innovative approaches? Are there any data available relevant to these 
questions?
    H. Research Infrastructure. What information is available to 
examine policies at the Federal, State, local or institutional level 
that affect research infrastructure and the costs of building, 
maintaining and/or operating the research infrastructure' What factors 
influence performers' investments in research infrastructure? What data 
are available to demonstrate that? What information is available on the 
mix of sources used to finance research infrastructure?
    I. Information Technology. How has information technology impacted 
the efficiency, performance, or costs of research management? Are there 
data to demonstrate any effect?
    J. Technology transfer optimization. Are data available to examine 
whether intellectual property and patent agreements have changed 
relationships among universities, industry, and the government?

Authority

    The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) was established 
under Executive Order 12881 on November 23, 1993, and subsequently 
reestablished by President Bush. The Committee on Science is chartered 
under the NSTC. The purpose of the Committee on Science is to advise 
and assist the NSTC, with emphasis on those federally supported efforts 
that develop new knowledge in the sciences mathematics, and 
engineering.

Kathie L. Olsen,
Associated Director.
[FR Doc. 03-19935 Filed 8-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3170-01-P