[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 212 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61329-61330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24290]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of the Networking and Information Technology Research and 
Development Program 30th Anniversary Commemoration

AGENCY: Networking and Information Technology Research and Development 
(NITRD) Program National Coordination Office (NCO), National Science 
Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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[[Page 61330]]

SUMMARY: The NITRD Subcommittee will hold a virtual public meeting to 
mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the High-Performance 
Computing (HPC) Act of 1991 and the launching of the High-Performance 
Computing and Communications Program, now known as the NITRD Program. 
One of the key parts of this legislation was to establish an effective 
mechanism to coordinate HPC, networking, and information technology 
(IT) research and development (R&D) undertaken by the agencies of the 
Federal Government. The legislation also expanded Federal funding 
support for HPC and IT R&D to ensure continued technological leadership 
in these areas by the United States. The Act aimed to provide U.S. 
researchers and educators, as well as government and the public, with 
the advanced computing and information resources they needed for 
achievement of personal, business, and public goals. The NITRD mission 
has expanded over the last three decades as the capabilities of 
advanced computing, networking, and IT technologies increased 
dramatically. Join us as we recognize and celebrate the origins and 
expansion of America's IT innovation highway.

DATES: December 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held virtually through Zoom, 12 Noon 
(EST).
    Instructions: Registration is required. You will be asked to 
provide your name, email address, and affiliation. The meeting link 
will be available on https://www.nitrd.gov/nitrd-30th-anniversary-commemoration/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana Weber at [email protected] or call 
202-459-9684. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background/Objectives/Overview: The NITRD Program is the Nation's 
primary source of federally funded IT R&D, critical to promoting and 
protecting American leadership in science and technology (S&T) 
innovation. The NITRD Program focuses its work on addressing strategic 
IT R&D imperatives that lead to cutting-edge computing, networking, and 
information technologies that support U.S. national security, economic 
competitiveness, and individual health and well-being. One of the key 
parts of the 1991 legislation was to establish a mechanism to lead the 
coordination and planning of multiagency and multisector HPC R&D to 
maximize the effectiveness of the Federal Government's R&D investments 
and the transition of discoveries to societal benefit. This vital 
mission has expanded over the years to include coordination of Federal 
agencies' R&D broadly across critical computing- and IT-related topics 
in advanced wireless technologies, artificial intelligence, big data, 
cybersecurity, health IT, networked physical systems, privacy 
protection, robotics, and software productivity and sustainability. 
Through NITRD, Federal agencies exchange information; collaborate on 
research activities such as testbeds, workshops, strategic planning, 
and cooperative solicitations; and focus their R&D resources on common 
goals of making new discoveries and/or developing new technology 
solutions to address our Nation's most critical priorities. As an 
example, NITRD-linked HPC and IT R&D underpinned U.S. leadership in 
fighting COVID-19, not only to speed discovery of therapeutics and 
vaccines but also to support Americans in conducting their personal 
relationships, education, healthcare, and businesses remotely wherever 
possible. The increased national commitment to IT R&D has been 
reflected in the growth in combined investment requests by NITRD's 
Federal member agencies from less than $5 million in 1991 to nearly 
$6.5 billion requested for FY2021. For more information about the NITRD 
Program, please visit our website: https://www.nitrd.gov/about/.
    Submitted by the National Science Foundation in support of the 
Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) 
National Coordination Office (NCO) on November 2, 2021.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-24290 Filed 11-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P