Update on Research Funding via Federal Agencies December 15, 2021
Research Development's Strategic Intelligence team monitors the federal budget and funding landscape and produces this memo on a bi-weekly basis to share information that may impact ASU research.
Science Policy Legislation
Senate Revising Build Back Better Act
https://www.aip.org/fyi/fyi-this-week/week-december-13-2021
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s spending proposals for science agencies are identical to the House bill’s, allocating $3.5 billion for the National Science Foundation, $1.25 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, $1.1 billion for NASA, and $859 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The House and Senate versions would also both create new tax credits for public university research infrastructure projects and semiconductor manufacturing facilities and would delay by four years a provision from the 2017 tax law overhaul that weakened the R&D tax credit. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has not yet released its portion of the bill, which covers Department of Energy science and technology programs.
U.S. Global Change Research Program Prospectus for Its National Global Change Research Plan 2022-2031
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), in collaboration with the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), requests comments from the public on the draft prospectus of its upcoming decadal Strategic Plan. The USGCRP is nearing the end of the implementation phase of its current plan, the National Global Change Research Plan 2012-2021; the Global Change Research Act calls for a 10-year plan with periodic updates. Interested persons and organizations are invited to submit comments on or before 11:59 p.m. ET on 11 January 2022.
FY22 Budget Outlook: STEM Education
https://www.aip.org/fyi/2021/fy22-budget-outlook-stem-education
The House and Senate have advanced bills that propose steady or increased funding for most major STEM education programs across the federal government in fiscal year 2022, meeting or exceeding many of the Biden administration’s requested increases. Appropriators also generally support the administration’s proposed diversity and inclusion initiatives across science agencies, which focus on diversifying both their own workforces and the broader STEM community. The appropriations bills are accompanied by explanatory reports from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees that contain policy direction for selected education programs.
White House Announces Launch of the International Grand Challenges on Democracy-Affirming Technologies for the Summit for Democracy
On 12/8/2021, the White House Office of Science and Technology, with federal agencies and domestic and international stakeholders, announced the launch of a new initiative: a series of International Grand Challenges on Democracy-Affirming Technologies. Part of President Biden’s Summit for Democracy, the initiative aims to galvanize worldwide innovation of a new class of technologies that offer the opportunity and potential to be used in ways that support democratic values asymmetrically. The Challenges include: US-UK Prize Challenges on Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (NSF, NIST, UK); Censorship Circumvention and Peer-to-Peer Challenges (Open Technology Fund); and Tech4Democracy Global Entrepreneurship Challenge (U.S. Embassy Madrid & IE University).
Orbital Debris Research and Development Interagency Working Group Listening Sessions
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is organizing a series of virtual listening sessions to hear about ideas, issues, and potential solutions related to the problem of orbital debris from members of the public who have an interest or stake in orbital debris research and development. Dates: 1. Orbital Debris Remediation: Thursday, December 16, 2021, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. 2. Orbital Debris Mitigation: Thursday, January 13, 2022, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Registration deadline: Orbital Debris Remediation: Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 11:59 p.m. ET; Orbital Debris Mitigation: Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 11:59 p.m. ET.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
HHS Secretary Becerra Names Dr. Lawrence Tabak Acting Director of NIH
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra today announced that Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., the principal deputy director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will serve as the acting director of NIH effective December 20, 2021.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 Launch Webinar
https://www.nsf.gov/events/event_summ.jsp?cntn_id=303947&org=NSF
In December, the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) will release the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026. The new research plan builds from the 2017-2021 plan, and outlines a bold five-year vision for federal agencies to address emerging research questions in the Arctic. Please join IARPC for a launch webinar introducing the new plan on December 16 from 2:00PM - 3:00PM EST.
JASON Report on Facilities Cybersecurity
https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/jasonreportcybersecurity/index.jsp
NSF commissioned a study by the JASON advisory group to assess and make recommendations regarding cybersecurity at NSF's major facilities so as to sustain their ability to provide high-quality data to the research community while mitigating potential cybersecurity threats. NSF received the JASON report containing 13 findings and 7 recommendations. NSF agrees with all the recommendations in the report; responses by NSF may be found in this article.
Department of Defense (DoD)
Congress drops U.S. ban on foreign talents programs from defense bill, but it’s not dead
Congress has dropped language from a must-pass bill governing U.S. defense policy that would have effectively prevented U.S. scientists from participating in Chinese programs aimed at attracting foreign scientific talent. But a similar provision applying to such programs may be tucked into a second bill aimed at outcompeting China that is now being hammered out between the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. On 12/7/2021, the House of Representatives passed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 363 to 70, and the Senate is expected to follow suit soon. The bill, a rare example of bipartisan legislation that lawmakers adopt each year, provides some 2165 pages of policy guidance and authorized spending levels for programs at the Department of Defense (DOD) and related agencies responsible for national security. It represents a compromise negotiated by leaders of the House and Senate armed services committees to reconcile differences between the two bodies.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA Announces Appointment of Martha Guzman as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 9
On 12/9/2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that President Biden will appoint Martha Guzman to become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 9. Guzman will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.
EPA Announces over $109 Million in Water Infrastructure Funding for Arizona Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Calls for Prioritizing Underserved Communities
On 12/2/2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced funding that states, Tribes, and territories will receive in 2022 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding, provided through EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, will create jobs while upgrading America’s aging water infrastructure and addressing key challenges like lead in drinking water and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. In a letter sent to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, the Administrator encouraged Arizona to maximize the impact of water funding from the law to address disproportionate environmental burdens in historically underserved communities across the country. EPA will allocate $7.4 billion to states, Tribes, and territories for 2022, including $109,458,000 for the State of Arizona.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Deputy Director of the Earth Science Division
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/619636100?linkId=143369585
NASA is accepting applications for the Deputy Director of the Earth Science Division (ESD), Science Mission Directorate (SMD), reporting to the Division Director. The purpose of NASA's Earth science program is to develop a scientific understanding of Earth's system and its response to natural or human-induced changes, and to improve prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards. The incumbent is responsible for assisting with the implementation of ESD's annual budget of approximately $2.3 billion. Applications are due Jan. 3, 2022.
NASA Selects Companies to Develop Commercial Destinations in Space
NASA has signed agreements with three U.S. companies to develop designs of space stations and other commercial destinations in space. The agreements are part of the agency’s efforts to enable a robust, American-led commercial economy in low-Earth orbit. The total estimated award amount for all three funded Space Act Agreements is $415.6 million. The companies that received awards are: Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, for $130 million; Nanoracks LLC, of Houston for $160 million; and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation of Dulles, Virginia, for $125.6 million. ASU leads a consortium of universities that are a part of the Blue Origin project, known as Orbital Reef (read more here).