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42 U.S.C. § 19108 — Challenges and focus areas
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In general** In consultation with the Assistant Director, the Board, and the interagency working group established under part D of subchapter VI, the Director shall identify, and annually review and update as appropriate, a list of—
(1) not more than 5 United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges that may be addressed by technology to guide activities under this part; and
(2) not more than 10 key technology focus areas to guide activities under this part.
**(b) Initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges** The initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges are the following:
(1) United States national security.
(2) United States manufacturing and industrial productivity.
(3) United States workforce development and skills gaps.
(4) Climate change and environmental sustainability.
(5) Inequitable access to education, opportunity, or other services.
**(c) Initial list of key technology focus areas** The initial list of key technology focus areas are the following:
(1) Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances.
(2) High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software.
(3) Quantum information science and technology.
(4) Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
(5) Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation.
(6) Advanced communications technology and immersive technology.
(7) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology.
(8) Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics.
(9) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for the purposes of
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Source location: Title 42, Chapter 163, § 19108; chapter-163-research-and-development-competition-and-innovation.md
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**(a) In general** In consultation with the Assistant Director, the Board, and the interagency working group established under part D of subchapter VI, the Director shall identify, and annually review and update as appropriate, a list of—
(1) not more than 5 United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges that may be addressed by technology to guide activities under this part; and
(2) not more than 10 key technology focus areas to guide activities under this part.
**(b) Initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges** The initial list of societal, national, and geostrategic challenges are the following:
(1) United States national security.
(2) United States manufacturing and industrial productivity.
(3) United States workforce development and skills gaps.
(4) Climate change and environmental sustainability.
(5) Inequitable access to education, opportunity, or other services.
**(c) Initial list of key technology focus areas** The initial list of key technology focus areas are the following:
(1) Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances.
(2) High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software.
(3) Quantum information science and technology.
(4) Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
(5) Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation.
(6) Advanced communications technology and immersive technology.
(7) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology.
(8) Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics.
(9) Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to for the purposes of electric generation (consistent with [section 1874 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1874&num=0&edition=prelim).
(10) Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies.
**(d) Relationship between United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges and key technology focus areas**
(1) In updating the list under subsection (a)(1), the Director shall evaluate national and global technology trends.
(2) In updating the list under subsection (a)(2), the Director shall consider the impact of the selected technologies on United States societal, national, and geostrategic challenges.
(3) The list under subsection (a)(2) may, but is not required to, align directly with the list under subsection (a)(1).
(4) Nothing under this section shall prevent the Director from making limited investments in technologies or areas not identified in subsection (a)(1) or subsection (a)(2).
**(e) Review and updates** The Director, in coordination with the interagency working group established under part D of subchapter VI and in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall annually review and update as appropriate, the list of key technology focus areas for purposes of this division. As part of the annual review, the Director—
(1) shall consider input from relevant industries and stakeholders;
(2) may consider the challenges and recommendations identified in the reports required by sections 6615 and 6615b of this title, as added by section 10611 and 10613 of this division and in other relevant reports, such as technology and global trend reports from the defense and intelligence communities;
(3) shall consider the potential impact of the key technology focus areas on addressing societal, national, and geostrategic challenges; and
(4) subject to the limitation under subsection (a), may add or delete key technology focus areas in light of shifting national needs or competitive threats to the United States (including for reasons of the United States or other countries having advanced or fallen behind in a technological area).
**(f) Reporting** At the conclusion of the annual review and update process required by subsection (e), the Director, in consultation with other Federal research agencies, as appropriate, shall deliver a report to Congress detailing—
(1) the key technology focus areas and rationale for their selection;
(2) the societal, national, and geostrategic challenges and rationale for their selection;
(3) the role of the Foundation in advancing the key technology focus areas;
(4) the impact, including to the academic research community, of any changes to the key technology focus areas; and
(5) the activities and partnerships between the Directorate and the private sector.
**(g) Detailed description** The National Science Foundation shall, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, submit as part of their annual budget requests to Congress, a detailed description of the activities to be funded under this part, including an explanation of how the requested funding is complementary and not redundant of programs, efforts, and infrastructure undertaken or supported by other relevant Federal agencies.
**(h) National Academies** Not later than 5 years after August 9, 2022, the Director shall contract with the National Academies to conduct a review of the key technology focus areas and the societal, national, and geostrategic challenges, including—
(1) an assessment of their selection process;
(2) an assessment of their relevance to the purposes of the Directorate, including to solving challenges with social, economic, health, scientific, and national security implications;
(3) a review of whether Federal investment in the key technology focus areas have resulted in new domestic manufacturing capacity and job creation;
(4) an assessment of any critical, new emerging areas;
(5) an assessment of Federal investments in education and workforce development to support the key technology focus areas; and
(6) an assessment of relative balance in leadership in addressing the key technology focus areas between the United States, allied and partner countries, and the People’s Republic of China.
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Nuclear energy research and development** The Foundation shall not support any research or development activity in the field of nuclear energy, nor shall it exercise any authority pursuant to [section 1870(e) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1870/e&num=0&edition=prelim) in respect to that field, without first having obtained the concurrence of the Secretary of Energy that such activity will not adversely affect the common defense and security. To the extent that such activity involves restricted data as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [[42 U.S.C. 2011](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section2011&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.] the provisions of that Act regarding the control of the dissemination of restricted data and the security clearance of those individuals to be given access to restricted data shall be applicable. Nothing in this chapter shall supersede or modify any provision of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
**(b) Research relating to national defense**
(1) In the case of scientific or engineering research activities under this chapter in connection with matters relating to the national defense, with respect to which funds have been transferred to the Foundation from the Department of Defense in accordance with the provisions of [section 1873(f) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1873/f&num=0&edition=prelim), the Secretary of Defense shall establish such security requirements and safeguards, including restrictions with respect to access to information and property, as he deems necessary.
(2) In the case of scientific or engineering research activities under this chapter in connection with matters r
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 1874
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Requirements**
(1) **Quadrennial reviews required** — Not later than December 31, 2023, and every four years thereafter, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall complete a review of the science and technology enterprise of the United States (in this section referred to as the “quadrennial science and technology review”).
(2) **Scope** — The quadrennial science and technology review shall be a comprehensive examination of the science and technology strategy of the United States, including recommendations for maintaining global leadership in science and technology and advancing science and technology to address the societal and national challenges and guidance regarding the coordination of programs, assets, capabilities, budget, policies, and authorities across all Federal research and development programs.
(3) **Consultation** — The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall conduct each quadrennial science and technology review in consultation with the following:
(A) The National Science and Technology Council.
(B) The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
(C) The National Science Board.
(D) The National Security Council.
(E) The heads of other relevant Federal agencies.
(F) Other relevant governmental and nongovernmental entities, including representatives from industry, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, Members of Congress, and other policy experts.
(4) **Coordination** — The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall ensure that each quadrennial science and technology review is coordinated with other relevant statutorily required reviews, and to the maximum extent practicable incorporates information and recommendations from existi
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 6615b
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In general** Not later than December 31 of the year immediately after the calendar year in which a review under [section 6615b of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section6615b&num=0&edition=prelim) is completed, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall, in coordination with the National Science and Technology Council, develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive national science and technology strategy of the United States to meet national research and development objectives for the following 4-year period (in this section referred to as “the national science and technology strategy”).
**(b) Requirements** In developing each national science and technology strategy described in subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall—
(1) **consider—**
(A) the recommendations and priorities developed by the review under [section 6615b of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section6615b&num=0&edition=prelim);
(B) the most recently published interim or final national security strategy report submitted pursuant to [section 3043 of title 50](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title50-section3043&num=0&edition=prelim);
(C) other relevant national plans, reports, and strategies; and
(D) the strategic plans of relevant Federal departments and agencies; and
(2) **include a description of—**
(A) strategic objectives and research priorities necessary to maintain and advance—
(i) the leadership of the United States in science and technology, including in the key technology focus areas, including near-term, medium-term, and long-term economic competitiveness; and
(ii) the leadersh
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 6615
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Definitions** In this section:
(1) **Advanced nuclear reactor** — The term “advanced nuclear reactor” has the meaning given the term in [section 16271(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section16271/b&num=0&edition=prelim).
(2) **Eligible entity** — The term “eligible entity” means each of—
(A) a State;
(B) an Indian Tribe (as defined in [section 5304 of title 25](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title25-section5304&num=0&edition=prelim));
(C) a Tribal organization (as defined in [section 5304 of title 25](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title25-section5304&num=0&edition=prelim));
(D) a unit of local government;
(E) an electric utility (as defined in [section 796 of title 16](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title16-section796&num=0&edition=prelim));
(F) a National Laboratory (as defined in [section 15801 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section15801&num=0&edition=prelim));
(G) an institution of higher education (as defined in [section 1001(a) of title 20](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section1001/a&num=0&edition=prelim)); and
(H) a private entity specializing in—
(i) advanced nuclear technology development;
(ii) nuclear supply chains; or
(iii) with respect to nuclear technologies and nonelectric applications of nuclear technologies, construction, project financing, contract structuring and risk allocation, or regulatory and licensing processes.
(3) **Program** — The term “program” means the program established under subsection (b)(1).
(4) **Secretary** — The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 18901
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Definitions** In this section:
(1) **Appropriate committees of Congress** — The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) **Cooperative extension services** — The term “cooperative extension services” has the meaning given the term in [section 3103 of title 7](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3103&num=0&edition=prelim).
(3) **Site connectivity infrastructure** — The term “site connectivity infrastructure” means localized driveways and access roads to a facility as well as hookups to the new facility for drinking water, waste water, broadband, and other basic infrastructure services already present in the area.
(4) **Venture development organization** — The term “venture development organization” has the meaning given such term in [section 3722(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section3722/a&num=0&edition=prelim).11 See References in Text note below.
(5) **Community development financial institution** — The term “community development financial institution” has the meaning given in [section 4702 of title 12](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title12-section4702&num=0&edition=prelim).
(6) **Minority depository institution** — The term “minority depository institution” means an entity that is—
(A) a minority depository institution, as defined in section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ([12 U.S.C.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 15 U.S.C. § 3722a
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In general** The Director shall establish Translation Accelerators to further the research, development, and commercialization of innovation in the key technology focus areas.
**(b) Partnerships**
(1) **In general** — Each Translation Accelerator shall be comprised of a partnership including 2 or more of the following entities:
(A) An institution of higher education.
(B) A for-profit company.
(C) A nonprofit organization.
(D) A Federal agency.
(E) Another entity, if that entity is determined by the Director to be vital to the success of the program.
(2) **Institutional or organizational level** — The Director shall work to ensure that such partnerships exist at the institutional or organization level, rather than solely at the principal investigator level.
(3) **Cost share** — Not less than 25 percent of the funding for an institute shall be provided by non-Federal entities.
(4) **Number of centers and institutes established** — The Director shall endeavor to establish a balance in the number of Regional Innovation Engines and Translation Accelerators.
**(c) Authorization of appropriations** From within funds authorized for the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, there are authorized to carry out the activities under this section and [section 19108 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section19108&num=0&edition=prelim) $6,500,000,000 for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 19110
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In general** The Director, acting through the Directorate, shall fund undergraduate scholarships (including at community colleges), graduate fellowships and traineeships, and postdoctoral awards in the key technology focus areas.
**(b) Implementation** The Director may carry out subsection (a) by making awards—
(1) directly to students; and
(2) to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education, including those institutions or consortia involved in operating Regional Innovation Engines established under [section 19108 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section19108&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(c) Broadening participation** In carrying out this section, the Director shall take steps to increase the participation of populations that are underrepresented in STEM, which may include—
(1) establishing or augmenting programs targeted at populations that are underrepresented in STEM;
(2) supporting traineeships or other relevant programs at historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority-serving institutions;
(3) enabling low-income populations to pursue associate, undergraduate, or graduate level degrees in STEM;
(4) addressing current and expected gaps in the availability or skills of the STEM workforce, or addressing needs of the STEM workforce, including by increasing educational capacity at institutions and by prioritizing awards to United States citizens, permanent residents, and individuals that will grow the domestic workforce; and
(5) addressing geographic diversity in the STEM workforce.
**(d) Encouraging innovation** In carrying out this section, the Director shall encourage innovation in graduate education, including through enc
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 19114
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Establishment** The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, acting through the National Science and Technology Council, shall establish or designate an interagency working group to coordinate the activities specified in subsection (c).
**(b) Composition** The interagency working group shall be composed of the following members (or their designees), who may be organized into subcommittees, as appropriate:
(1) The Secretary of Commerce.
(2) The Director of the National Science Foundation.
(3) The Secretary of Energy.
(4) The Secretary of Defense.
(5) The Director of the National Economic Council.
(6) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(7) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(8) The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(9) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(10) The Director of National Intelligence.
(11) The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(12) Such other Federal officials as the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy considers appropriate, including members of the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Technology.
**(c) Coordination** The interagency working group shall seek to ensure that the activities of different Federal agencies enhance and complement, but, as appropriate, do not duplicate, efforts being carried out by another Federal agency, with a focus on the following:
(1) The activities of the National Science Foundation Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Directorate in the key technology focus areas, such as within the Regional Innovation Engines under [section 19108 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section19108&num=0&edition=prelim) and test beds under [section 19110
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 19261
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 9302
TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 19108
tion materials, and related manufacturing
technologies.
(d) Relationship between United States societal,
national, and geostrategic challenges and
key technology focus areas
(1) In updating the list under subsection (a)(1),
the Director shall evaluate national and global
technology trends.
(2) In updating the list under subsection (a)(2),
the Director shall consider the impact of the se-
lected technologies on United States societal,
national, and geostrategic challenges.
(3) The list under subsection (a)(2) may, but is
not required to, align directly with the list
under subsection (a)(1).
(4) Nothing under this section shall prevent
the Director from making limited investments
in technologies or areas not identified in sub-
section (a)(1) or subsection (a)(2).
(e) Review and updates
The Director, in coordination with the inter-
agency working group established under part D
of subchapter VI and in consultation with the
Director of National Intelligence and the Direc-
tor of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall
annually review and update as appropriate, the
list of key technology focus areas for purposes
of this division. As part of the annual review,
the Director—
(1) shall consider input from relevant indus-
tries and stakeholders;
(2) may consider the challenges and rec-
ommendations identified in the reports re-
quired by sections 6615 and 6615b of this title,
as added by section 10611 and 10613 of this divi-
sion and in other relevant reports, such as
technology and global trend reports from the
defense and intelligence communities;
(3) shall consider the potential impact of the
key technology focus areas on addressing soci-
etal, national, and geostrategic challenges;
and
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 42 U.S.C. § 19108
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