(a) Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States depends upon its scientific and technological capabilities to preserve the military and economic security of the United States.
(2) America's leadership in the global marketplace is dependent upon a strong commitment to education, basic research, and development.
(3) A nation that is not technologically literate cannot compete in the emerging global economy.
(4) A coordinated commitment to mathematics and science instruction at all levels of education is a necessary component of successful efforts to produce technologically literate citizens.
(5) Professional development is a necessary component of efforts to produce system-wide improvements in mathematics, engineering, and science education in secondary, elementary, and postsecondary settings.
(6)
(A) The mission of the National Science Foundation is to provide Federal support for basic scientific and engineering research, and to be a primary contributor to mathematics, science, and engineering education at academic institutions in the United States.
(B) In accordance with such mission, the long-term goals of the National Science Foundation include providing leadership to—
(i) enable the United States to maintain a position of world leadership in all aspects of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology;
(ii) promote the discovery, integration, dissemination, and application of new knowledge in service to society; and
(iii) achieve excellence in United States science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education at all levels.
(b) Core strategies
In carrying out activities designed to achieve the goals described in subsection (a), the Foundation shall use the following core strategies:
(1) Develop intellectual capital, both people and ideas, with particular emphasis on groups and regions that traditionally have not participated fully in science, mathematics, and engineering.
(2) Strengthen the scientific infrastructure by investing in facilities planning and modernization, instrument acquisition, instrument design and development, and shared-use research platforms.
(3) Integrate research and education through activities that emphasize and strengthen the natural connections between learning and inquiry.
(4) Promote partnerships with industry, elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and universities, other agencies, State and local governments, and other institutions involved in science, mathematics, and engineering to enhance the delivery of math and science education and improve the technological literacy of the citizens of the United States.
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998, and not as part of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 which comprises this chapter.
Indirect Costs
Pub. L. 105–207, title II, §203, July 29, 1998, 112 Stat. 875, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(A) analyzing the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates (as the term is defined in Office of Management and Budget Circular A–21) paid to universities in comparison with Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates paid to other entities, such as industry, government laboratories, research hospitals, and nonprofit institutions;
"(B)(i) analyzing the distribution of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates by category (such as administration, facilities, utilities, and libraries), and by the type of entity; and
"(ii) determining what factors, including the type of research, influence the distribution;
"(C) analyzing the impact, if any, that changes in Office of Management and Budget Circular A–21 have had on—
"(i) the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates, the rate of change of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates, the distribution by category of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates, and the distribution by type of entity of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates; and
"(ii) the Federal indirect cost reimbursement (as calculated in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–21), the rate of change of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement, the distribution by category of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement, and the distribution by type of entity of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement;
"(D) analyzing the impact, if any, of Federal and State law on the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates;
"(E)(i) analyzing options to reduce or control the rate of growth of the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates, including options such as benchmarking of facilities and equipment cost, elimination of cost studies, mandated percentage reductions in the Federal indirect cost reimbursement; and
"(ii) assessing the benefits and burdens of the options to the Federal Government, research institutions, and researchers; and
"(F) analyzing options for creating a database—
"(i) for tracking the Federal indirect cost reimbursement rates and the Federal indirect cost reimbursement; and
"(ii) for analyzing the impact that changes in policies with respect to Federal indirect cost reimbursement will have on the Federal Government, researchers, and research institutions.
"(2)
Notice; Enhancement of Science and Mathematics Programs
Pub. L. 105–207, title II, §§205, 206, July 29, 1998, 112 Stat. 876, provided that:
"SEC. 205. NOTICE.
"(a)
"(b)
"SEC. 206. ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS.
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
Definitions
Pub. L. 105–207, §2, July 29, 1998, 112 Stat. 869, as amended by Pub. L. 107–368, §14(b)(3), Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3057, provided that: "In this Act [see Short Title of 1998 Amendment note set out under section 1861 of this title]:
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(5)
"(6)