Update on Research Funding via Federal Agencies, November 30, 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
Leaders to decide fate of spending, permitting bills
https://www.eenews.net/articles/leaders-to-decide-fate-of-spending-permitting-bills/
Lawmakers could decide the fate of a long-term spending bill in the coming days, along with plans for the must-pass defense authorization and permitting reform legislation. Preventing a government shutdown after Dec. 16 — when a continuing resolution passed in October expires — is the top priority for the remainder of the 117th Congress that formally ends Jan. 3. But Democrats and Republicans have yet to agree on a topline spending number, putting into question the viability of a fiscal 2023 omnibus package to give agencies — including EPA and the Energy and Interior departments — spending increases.
Big Changes Coming in 118th Congress; Watch COSSA’s Post-Election Webinar
While some races still need to be called, notably, the Senate race in Georgia, there are some things COSSA can be certain about now that we are past the November midterm elections. For example, come January 3 and the swearing-in of the 118th Congress: Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2018; even with the change in party in the House and the still unknown outcome in the Senate, razor thin party margins will continue, resulting in bipartisanship, gridlock, and sometimes both; several champions for science will not be returning next year, requiring that all advocates engage with new elected officials about the value of our work; House and Senate committees overseeing funding and policy related to science will see new leadership and members. COSSA discussed some of these changes and possible committee and leadership shakeups during the November 17 post-election Headlines webinar. A recording is available here.
Cantwell, Bipartisan Group of Senators Tell Appropriators to Fund CHIPS Act
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led a bipartisan letter to Senate Appropriators underscoring that Congress must fully fund the CHIPS and Science Act in the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Bill to ensure U.S. global economic and technological leadership. In their letter, the 15 senators warned of the repercussions resulting from past failures to fund commitments Congress made in both the America COMPETES Act of 2007 and 2010.
Quantum World Congress
https://www.quantumworldcongress.com/
Washington, D.C. is hosting the first Quantum World Congress this week, an event organized by a regional coalition of boosters for an emergent quantum technology industry. This event welcomes quantum technology visionaries, policymakers, researchers, business and investment leaders, educators, and students to discuss and showcase major developments in quantum solutions, research, education, workforce, thought leadership, policy, business, and investment. Technology builders and buyers will also discuss national and global progress as well as challenges and opportunities in the development of quantum computing, sensing, communications, and materials.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Request for Information: Soliciting Public Comment on Draft Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Strategic Plan
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-23-041.html
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is soliciting feedback on the Draft ALS Strategic Plan, which has been developed to identify the highest priorities for research that will lead to the discovery of effective interventions for the diagnosis, treatment, management, prevention, or cure of ALS. The NINDS seeks comments on any or all of the priorities across the five key areas articulated in the Draft ALS Strategic Plan, including potential benefits, drawbacks or challenges, other priorities for consideration, or any other comments. The deadline for submission is December 16, 2022.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
CHIPS and Science Act Enshrines Policy for New NSF Technology Directorate
https://www.aip.org/fyi/2022/chips-and-science-act-enshrines-policy-new-nsf-technology-directorate
NSF’s current spending plans for the TIP directorate are well below the act’s annual targets, which begin at $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2023 and rise to $4.1 billion in fiscal year 2027. The Biden administration has requested that Congress provide the directorate $880 million in fiscal year 2023. Appropriators have not proposed specific amounts for the directorate for fiscal year 2023, but pending House and Senate proposals for NSF overall are below the request and could be adjusted downward in the final negotiations. It is expected that NSF will roll out additional TIP use-inspired programs and initiatives in response to the CHIPS and Science Act once Congress finalizes its appropriations for fiscal year 2023.
Department of Energy (DoE)
SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap: Soaring Towards Sustainable Fuel Production Goals | Department of Energy
Join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) on December 13, 2022, from 2-3 p.m. ET for a webinar on the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Grand Challenge Roadmap. This discussion will outline the six action areas that support the Grand Challenge’s goals of:
- Reducing life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to conventional fuel,
- Producing enough SAF to meet 100 percent of aviation fuel demand by 2050, and
- Enhancing fuel sustainability.
DOE Office of Science Request for Information – Responses due on or before December 23, 2022 - Environmental System Science Program
https://ess.science.energy.gov/doe-sc-request-for-information-emerging-technologies/
The DOE Office of Science issued a Request for Information (RFI) titled Accelerating Innovations in Emerging Technologies. This RFI seeks public input to help identify approaches that can accelerate the transition of new scientific discoveries to high-value technologies that will drive the economy of the future. Interested parties are invited to provide information relevant to developing approaches for:
- Accelerating innovations in emerging technologies to drive scientific discovery to sustainable production of new technologies across the innovation continuum;
- Training a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce to support 21st century industries; and
- Meeting the nation’s needs for abundant clean energy, a sustainable environment, and national security.
Responses to the RFI must be received by December 23, 2022, through www.regulations.gov.