Update on Research Funding via Federal Agencies, July 28, 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
Pieces of Science Committee Innovation Push Falling into Place
https://www.aip.org/fyi/fyi-this-week/week-july-26-2021
The House Science Committee is considering a set of recently introduced bills on Tuesday that add to its recent push to advance far-reaching, bipartisan science and technology policy legislation:
- The NIST for the Future Act would update policies and recommend that Congress increase its annual budget to nearly $1.6 billion by fiscal year 2026, largely to expand its research in areas such as engineering biology, greenhouse gas measurement, quantum information science, AI, and advanced communications, among other areas.
- The Regional Innovation Act would require the Commerce Department to create no fewer than 10 regional technology innovation hubs and recommend nearly $7 billion for the program spanning fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
- The Energizing Technology Transfer Act would support the commercialization of clean energy technologies and research supported by the Department of Energy.
House Spending Legislation Advancing to Floor
https://www.aip.org/fyi/fyi-this-week/week-july-19-2021
- House bills endorses the Biden administration’s proposal to create a Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
- Does not support creating a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Climate, asserting its proposed functions can be accommodated within the existing ARPA–Energy
- Propose fully funding SOFIA, an airborne telescope that both the Trump and Biden administrations have sought to shut down
- Cuts to the Defense Department Science and Technology accounts - would restrict them to 5% rather than 13%.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
House Committee on Appropriations DHHS Bill
House bill H.R. 4502 includes $3 billion to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. The President's budget called for $6.5B for ARPA-H. The bill also includes:
- $432M increase for NCI
- $541M increase for All of Us (precision medicine initiative)
- $612M increase for the BRAIN Initiative
- $627M increase for research on opioids, stimulants, and pain management
- $330M increase for health disparities
- $200M increase HIV/AIDS research
- $200M increase Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
- $100M impacts of climate change on human health
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Advocates warn R+D surge imperiled by low appropriation targets
The House has yet to approve a final budget for fiscal 2022. But with appropriators poised to come up short on R&D… several science lobbyists [are] pushing for a new approach—the inclusion of billions in discretionary spending for the National Science Foundation in this year’s budget-reconciliation bill.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
2021 ERI Summit & MTO Symposium
https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/eri-summit-mto-symposium-2021
From October 19-21, DARPA will host its fourth Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) Summit and Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Symposium. The annual event brings together leaders from across the electronics ecosystem – spanning government, defense, academia, and industry – to foster collaboration and share technical progress on DARPA’s five-year, $1.5B dollar investment into the advancement of the U.S. semiconductor industry. The 2021 Summit will be hosted on a world-class, immersive, and entirely virtual platform with built-in features for live presentations, online interaction, exhibits, and networking. Registration for the 2021 event will open July 19, 2021.
Department of Commerce (DOC)
EDA American Rescue Plan Programs
Under the American Rescue Plan, EDA was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. This funding is via six funding announcements, most notably, the Build Back Better Regional Challenge ($1 billion), Good Jobs Challenge ($500 million), and Economic Adjustment Assistance Challenge ($500 million). An RD memo providing background on all programs is available here.
Department of Defense (DoD)
Senate Armed Services Committee Votes 23-3 to Advance the National Defense Authorization Act
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY22%20NDAA%20Executive%20Summary.pdf
On July 21st, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 23-3 to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to the Senate floor. Among the research-related proposals in the act are ones to implement recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence and establish a “national network” for microelectronics R&D. It also authorizes an increase of more than $1 billion in funds available for science and technology programs that fund cutting-edge research and prototyping activities at universities, small businesses, defense labs, and industry, including in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, advanced materials, 5G, and biotechnology.
Department of Energy (DoE)
Climate and Clean Energy Policy State of Play
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/climate-and-clean-energy-policy-state-7646986/
On July 14, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) advanced an energy infrastructure package, the Energy Infrastructure Act, by a 13-7 vote. It will serve as the legislative text for key portions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, including power infrastructure, Western water, and resilience. It authorizes more than $100 billion to: invest in the reliability and resilience of the electric grid and expand transmission capabilities; demonstrate the critical energy technologies; build out domestic supply chains for clean energy technologies; invest in water infrastructure needed by western states, restore ecosystems, and mitigate wildfire risk; clean up the abandoned energy infrastructure and mine lands while also reducing methane emissions; and fund the Energy Act of 2020.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
House Committee on Appropriations DOT Bill
H.R. 4550 includes $57M for Research and Technology to expand research on ways to create more equitable access to transportation systems, combat climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a 79 percent increase in cybersecurity initiatives to safeguard our transportation systems. An additional $5 million to support the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence to coordinate DOT’s technical expertise around automated systems.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Jeff Bezos offers NASA $2 billion to get Blue Origin back in the moon race
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/27/tech/jeff-bezos-nasa-intl-hnk/index.html
On 7/26/2021, Jeff Bezos appealed to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in an open letter, offering to cover billions of dollars in the US space agency's costs. In doing so, Bezos hopes Blue Origin can be reconsidered for a contract to build the vehicle that will land the next astronauts on the moon.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
NIFA Invests Over $7M to Support Research Innovations and Workforce Development at Agricultural Colleges
USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced an investment of over $7 million in research grants to U.S. Non-Land-grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA). These grants aim to increase research, education, and outreach capacity at Non-Land-grant Institutions to support development of the innovations and workforce needed to sustain the agriculture industry in the future.
USDA Announces $16.6 Million in Funding Opportunities to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
On 7/26/2021, USDA announced approximately $16.6 million in available funding to community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities that help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program).