u.s. science policy cheryl l. eavey, program director methodology, measurement, and statistics...
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U.S. Science Policy
Cheryl L. Eavey, Program DirectorMethodology, Measurement, and Statistics
Division of Social and Economic SciencesNational Science Foundation
U.S. Science Policy
• In essence, to support the “best” science that meets national needs.
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.
Competing Interests
• Federal agencies
• Congressional committees
• Universities and other research institutions
• Individual researchers
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
T h e P re sid e n to f the
U n ited S ta tes
O ffice ofManagementand Budget
Agriculture Health &Human Services
Interior
NationalScience
Foundation
NationalAeronautic
& SpaceAdministration
EnvironmentalProtection
Agency
SmithsonianInstitution
NuclearRegulatory
Commission
O therAgencies
Transportation Defense Energy Commerce
Science AdvisorO ffice of
Science &Technology Policy
O ther Boards,Councils, Etc.
Major Departments
Independent Agencies
The U.S. Government Includes Both Cabinet Departments and Independent Agencies
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.
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
NSF Is a Science Management Agency
Scientists and institutionsresponding to broad civilianscientific needs of the nation
}30,000 Annual Proposal Actions
1,200full-time
employees
250,000 reviews(50,000 reviewers)
60 advisory groups(6,000
members)About 20,000 award
actionsfor almost $5 billion (academic, industrial,
non-profit, governmental
recipients)
Executive Branch Legislative Branch
Executive Office of the PresidentCabinet DepartmentsIndependent Agencies
SenateHouse of Representatives
Authorize
Appropriate
Request
Manage
U.S. Government Budgetary Process
House and SenateAuthorization 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.
House and SenateAppropriation 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).
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
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.
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.
Disadvantages
• Weakly articulated national policy.• Sporadic coordination across agencies.• Potential for duplication.• Differences in agency funding policies.
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
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)
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