Current Federal Research-Related Funding Landscape

Karen Walker

April 05, 2021

The post-pandemic landscape for federal research-related funding is dynamic. This memo serves as a snapshot for this moment and provides a quick reference tool for those interested in bills affecting Arizona State University (ASU) research portfolio and strategic priority setting. There are currently one passed act, three introduced bills, and one announced plan that are covered in this memo.

HR 1319 American Rescue Plan Act -passed 2/27

Research funding is focused on coronavirus and related impacts.

Department of Education: $100M to study learning loss
National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH): $135M to support humanities organizations
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): $150M for awards to prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus
National Science Foundation (NSF): provides $600 million to fund or extend new and existing research grants, cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, and apprenticeships, and related administrative expenses to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus

$350B for state and local government Coronavirus Relief funds: may provide competitive funding which universities can pursue. Relationships should be leveraged to develop programs. This funding is available to spend through December 31, 2024.

Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act - H.R.869 / S.289 -bill introduced

Purpose: "To authorize appropriations to offset costs resulting from reductions in research productivity in connection with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and for other purposes."

Recommends Congress appropriate about $25 billion across federal science agencies to address project disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Permits the funds to be used to extend research awards, replace equipment, create new research opportunities for graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, and support research on pandemic preparedness, among other purposes.

There are two bills that propose to reshape the National Science Foundation, each going in slightly different directions. The Endless Frontiers Act, proposed by the Senate, which has a technology focus, and the NSF for the Future Act, proposed by the House, which centers around solving societal challenges.

Endless Frontier Act S.3832 -bill introduced

If enacted, would provide $100B over five years to the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund a new NSF directorate, the Technology directorate. NSF would become the National Science and Technology Foundation. The directorate would focus on certain critical technologies, including:

artificial intelligence and machine learning
high performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware
quantum computing and information systems
robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing
natural or anthropogenic disaster prevention
advanced energy
materials science, engineering, and exploration relevant to other key technology areas

Fundamental research activities will be advanced through competitive grants, including university technology center awards.

Of note are the plans for tech transfer and commercialization activities, including awarding grants for testbeds and fabrication facilities.

NSF for the Future Act - H.R.2225 -bill introduced

The bill was introduced in the House as a counterproposal to the Endless Frontier. It would add a Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions and would provide funding of total funding of $72B over five years ($13B would go to the new directorate). The director would consider societal challenges and select five focus areas, periodically refreshing the list. Focus areas to start include:

Global competitiveness in critical technologies
Cybersecurity
National security
STEM education and workforce
Social and economic inequality

President Biden released an infrastructure plan on March 31st that included more than $200B in R&D focused initiatives, including elements of the Endless Frontier. It included emphasis on research infrastructure, social equity, climate issues, innovation, and private-public partnerships.

Biden’s Infrastructure Act – The American Jobs Plan (released 03/31/2021)

The president’s plan proposes $50B for the NSF to create a Technology directorate. The new directorate would collaborate with and build on existing programs in the government and focus on fields like semiconductors and advanced computing, advanced communications technology, advanced energy technologies, and biotechnology.

Improving research infrastructure, with emphasis on supporting rural regions and minority serving institutions (MSIs), is a critical component of the plan. Over $100B would be provided for these efforts, with $20B for approximately 10 regional innovation hubs designed to link urban and rural areas. $40B is provided for upgrading physical infrastructure of research labs in federal and university lab settings.

The plan also highlights climate initiatives, with $35B designated for climate R&D to work towards solutions for technology breakthroughs in areas such as clean energy. Some portion would also go to establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Climate (ARPA-C), which would “develop new methods for reducing emissions and building climate resilience, as well as expanding across-the-board funding for climate research.”

Other initiatives include:

$50B to implement the recently enacted CHIPS for America Act. Among its provisions, the law authorizes the Commerce Department to provide subsidies to domestic semiconductor manufacturers and establish a National Semiconductor Technology Center, operated as a public-private consortium with participation from NSF, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense.
$30B over four years on “medical countermeasures manufacturing; research and development; and related biopreparedness and biosecurity.”