Update on Research Funding via Federal Agencies January 26, 2022
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
Science Policy in 2022: 10 Stories to Watch
https://www.aip.org/fyi/2022/science-policy-2022-10-stories-watch
The year ahead could be a historic one for U.S. science and technology policy, with Congress continuing to debate proposals such as the creation of a new National Science Foundation directorate and an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. Lawmakers are also still pushing special multiyear funding measures that could send billions of dollars to science agencies such as NSF, DOE, and the DOC, on top of what has already been provided through pandemic recovery funding and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Nonetheless, there remains considerable disagreement around the proposals on the table and the window for ambitious action may be short, given the approach of the November midterm elections.
FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Actions to Attract STEM Talent and Strengthen our Economy and Competitiveness
On 1/21/2022, the Departments of State and Homeland Security announced new actions to advance predictability and clarity for pathways for international STEM scholars, students, researchers, and experts to contribute to innovation and job creation efforts across America. These actions include (but are not limited to) adding 22 new STEM fields to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduation for a period of time. Among them are bioenergy, climate and Earth system sciences, cloud computing, data science and visualization, and “human-centered technology design,” which encompasses fields such as human-computer interaction and neuroscience.
Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2022
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46869
The Congressional Research Service updated its report Federal R&D Funding for FY2022. President Biden’s budget request for FY2022 includes approximately $171.3 billion for research and development (R&D), $13.5 billion (8.5%) above the FY2021 estimated level of $157.8 billion. In constant FY2022 dollars, the FY2022 R&D request represents an increase of $10.6 billion (6.6%) above the FY2021 estimated level. Funding for R&D is concentrated in a few federal departments and agencies. In FY2021, five agencies received 93.0% of total federal R&D funding, with the Department of Defense (DOD, 40.1%) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 27.6%) combined accounting for more than two-thirds of all federal R&D funding. In the FY2022 request, the top five R&D agencies would account for 92.4%, with DOD accounting for 36.7% and HHS for 29.9%.
OSTP Advancing New Scientific Integrity Principles
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released an interagency report last week that assesses the state of scientific integrity policies across federal agencies and outlines “good practices” for strengthening their application. It also identifies new principles that should underpin agencies’ scientific integrity policies, among them that the policies should apply to all employees who use or communicate science, including political appointees.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Inequalities in the Distribution of National Institutes of Health Research Project Grant Funding
Michael S Lauer and Deepshikha Roychowdhury published a paper on inequalities in the support of scientists designated as Principal Investigators (PIs) of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) awards. Analyses of PIs and organizations supported by NIH RPG awards from 1998 to 2020 show that: a.) Inequalities among PIs have increased since 1998, particularly at the upper rungs and at times of NIH budget increases; b.) There may be a modest decline in RPG PI inequalities over the past few years; c.) Most of the funding inequalities among RPG PIs are within groups, not between groups; d.) Inequalities among organizations are much greater than among PIs. Both between-group and within-group inequalities contribute to overall inequality.
Department of Commerce (DOC)
NIST Seeks Members for New IoT Advisory Board - Nextgov
https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2022/01/nist-seeks-members-new-iot-advisory-board/360729/
The National Institute of Standards and Technology issued a notice of intent looking for nominations to join its first Internet of Things Advisory Board. Consisting of 16 members, the inaugural group will focus on policies that impact the Internet of Things, the digital networks that comprise countless connections and devices. Working group members will research, analyze, and advise on federal policy that might influence IoT. Specifically, the board will review how some policies benefit or hinder U.S.’ socioeconomic development related to IoT. Some industries within the group’s purview that stand to benefit from burgeoning IoT technology policy include transportation, supply chain and logistics, agriculture, and health care. Nomination submissions will be due by 5 pm EST on Feb. 28.
Department of Defense (DoD)
Pentagon’s Top 3 Defense R&D Priorities for 2022
https://www.govconwire.com/2022/01/pentagons-top-3-defense-randd-priorities-for-2022/
$117.7 billion (of the National Defense Authorization Act) has been allocated to military research and development efforts, with a focus on identifying new science and technology breakthroughs. The top three research priorities for DoD have been identified as hypersonic technologies, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.
Department of Energy (DOE)
Request for Information- Accepting Responses Now — The REMADE Institute
https://remadeinstitute.org/rfi-22-01
The REMADE Institute, a 141-member public-private partnership established by DOE with an initial investment of $140 million, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to further accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy. Responses to REMADE’s RFI will inform the next iteration of the Institute’s technology roadmap, which is currently focused on reducing manufacturing’s energy consumption; decreasing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions; reducing the use of raw and virgin, or primary, materials; increasing remanufacturing and the use and supply of recycled, or secondary, materials; fostering circular innovations; and addressing manufacturing’s impact on climate change. In addition to seeking feedback regarding these current activities, the RFI asks where REMADE should focus its efforts relative to electric vehicles and solar power as part of the Institute’s future planning.
DOE Announces $420 Million to Advance Clean Energy Breakthroughs at Energy Research Centers Across America | Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a $420 million funding opportunity for DOE’s Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC). This funding will advance climate solutions through early-stage research on clean energy technology, advanced and low-carbon manufacturing, and quantum information science. Breakthroughs in basic research will be key to creating the climate solutions that will help achieve President Biden’s goal of a zero-emission economy by 2050.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
One Year into the Biden Administration, NASA Looks to Future
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/one-year-into-the-biden-administration-nasa-looks-to-future
Over the past year, NASA has made valuable contributions to Biden-Harris Administration’s goals – leading on the global stage, addressing the urgent issue of climate change, creating high paying jobs, and inspiring future generations. Highlights of NASA’s efforts include: NASA Missions; Addressing Climate Change and Natural Disasters; National Space Council; International Collaboration; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and STEM Education.
NASA foresees gap in lunar landings after Artemis 3
https://spacenews.com/nasa-foresees-gap-in-lunar-landings-after-artemis-3/
NASA will wait at least two more years before making a second crewed lunar landing as part of the Artemis program. One reason for not including a landing on Artemis 4 is availability of a lunar lander. NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS) Option A award to SpaceX last year covers only development of a lander and a single crewed flight on Artemis 3. NASA will acquire future landings through a separate effort, called Lunar Exploration Transportation Services (LETS). The goal of LETS is to select one, and possibly more, companies to provide “sustainable” landing services. The timing of LETS — a draft request for proposals is scheduled for release this spring — means there will be a gap of a couple years before the first landing service acquired through that program would be ready.