1. U.S. Science Policy Cheryl L. Eavey, Program Director
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
Division of Social and Economic Sciences
National Science Foundation

2. U.S. Science Policy
In essence, to support the “best” science that meets national needs.

3. Defining Characteristic
Science and technology policy in the U.S. is the product of a pluralistic, decentralized system with numerous interests competing for influence and scarce funds.

6. Competing Interests Federal agencies Congressional committees
Universities and other research institutions
Individual researchers

7. Federal Agencies Supporting S&T-Related Research
Department of Energy
Department of Defense
Environmental Protection Agency
National Aeronautics & Space Administration
National Science Foundation
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health

8. The U.S. Government Includes Both Cabinet Departments and Independent Agencies
Major Departments
Independent Agencies

9. NSF Invests in
Ideas to provide a deep and broad fundamental science and engineering knowledge base.
People to develop a diverse, internationally competitive, and globally engaged workforce of scientists, engineers, and well-prepared citizens.
Tools to provide widely accessible, state-of-the-art science and engineering infrastructure.

10. NSF Expects the Collective Outcomes of Its Investments to Yield:
Discoveries at and across the frontier of science and engineering
Connections between discoveries and their use in service to society
A diverse, globally-oriented workforce of scientists and engineers
Improved achievement in mathematics and science skills needed by all Americans

11. NSF Is a Science Management Agency}
Scientists and institutions
responding to broad civilian
scientific needs of the nation
30,000 Annual Proposal Actions
1,200
full-time
employees
60 advisory groups
(6,000 members)
250,000 reviews
(50,000 reviewers)
About 20,000 award actions
for almost $5 billion
(academic, industrial, non-profit, governmental recipients)

12. U.S. Government Budgetary Process
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Executive Office of the President
Cabinet Departments
Independent Agencies
Senate
House of Representatives
Authorize
Appropriate
Request
Manage

13. House and Senate Authorization Committees
House Committee on Science
Jurisdiction over all non-defense federal scientific research and development, including oversight of programs of relevant agencies (e.g., NSF, NASA, EPA).
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Jurisdiction for, among other things, science and technology policy.
Recent Action
Legislation to double NSF’s budget in five years, with new management requirements.

14. House and Senate Appropriation Committees
Discretionary programs are funded via 13 separate appropriation bills.
Research programs considered in different bills.
NSF, for example, competes with NASA and EPA for funding (but not with NIH or DOD).

15. The University System No national universities.
System of private and state-funded universities.
Federal funds represent approximately 60% of academic R&D spending.
Generally speaking, geographic distribution is not a criterion for the allocation of funds.
Interests represented by professional associations; i.e., National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges

16. Individual Researchers
Funds are awarded for projects conducted by individuals or groups of individuals.
Funding decisions generally are made on the basis of a competitive, peer-review process.
Interests represented by associations; e.g., American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Participation in activities of funding agencies via Federal Advisory Committee Act.

18. Advantages Multiple potential sources of funding. “Best” ideas win.
Wide ranging set of topics, ideas, and approaches are supported.
Opportunities for innovation and support of “risky” proposals.

19. Disadvantages Weakly articulated national policy.
Sporadic coordination across agencies.
Potential for duplication.
Differences in agency funding policies.

20. Office of Science and Technology Policy
Broad mandate to advise the President on the impacts of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.
Coordinates some interagency activities
US Global Change Research Program
Nanotechnology

21. Role of Entrepreneurs
In a pluralistic system, lots of points of access and possible influence:
Federal agency staff at multiple levels
Survey and Statistical Methodology
Biocomplexity
Nanotechnology
Congressional influence
NSF/EPA Partnership for Environmental Research
Children’s Research Initiative
Presidential directives
Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI)

22. Future Challenges
Continuing to “make the case” for the value of science for the public good
Balance across the sciences
University/industry partnerships
International collaboration