Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a Directorate for Technology and Innovation within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and to develop a strategy for the federal government to improve national competitiveness in science, research, and innovation to support the national security strategy.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Directorate for Technology and Innovation within the NSF among various other programs and activities, no later than 180 days after this bill's enactment (Sec. 102).

• Requires that the goals of the directorate include the following (Title I, Sec. 2102):

• Strengthening the leadership of the United States in critical technologies through basic research and key technology focus areas such as;

• Artificial intelligence (AI);

• High performance computing; and

• Advanced manufacturing and the commercialization of those technologies in businesses in the US;

• Addressing and mitigating technology challenges integral to the geostrategic position of the US;

• Enhancing the competitiveness of the US by increasing education in the key technology focus areas and attracting more students to such areas at all levels;

• Accelerating the translation and development of scientific advances in the key technology focus areas into processes and products;

• Utilizing the full potential of the US workforce by avoiding undue geographic concentration of research and development and education funding across the country, and encouraging broader participation in technology focused areas by populations underrepresented in STEM; and

• Ensuring the programmatic work of the Directorate and NSF incorporates a workforce perspective from labor organizations and workforce training organizations.

• Authorizes the NSF to provide the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information within the US concerning NSF activities and the results of those activities (Title I, Sec. 2113).

• Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy to annually develop a strategy for the federal government to improve national competitiveness in science, research, and innovation to support the national security strategy (Title I, Sec. 2215).

• Requires the Department of Commerce to (Title I, Sec. 2505):

• Establish a supply chain resilience and crisis response program to address supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities in critical industries;

• Designate regional technology hubs to facilitate activities that support regional economic development that diffuses innovation around the US; and

• Award grants to facilitate development and implementation of comprehensive regional technology strategies.

• Extends the Manufacturing USA Program through the 2026 fiscal year and expands the program to support innovation and growth in domestic manufacturing (Title I, Sec. 2402).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text