Novi Times

Washington, D.C. – Reps. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Jim Baird (R-IN) introduced the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act (H.R. 2980) to support the Department of Energy’s longstanding partnership with the National Science Foundation, working on a wide range of research topics such as physics, quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and workforce and education development. The bill would enhance both DOE and NSF’s capabilities to maximize their impacts by leveraging each other’s investments in research and development.

“I am proud to sponsor the bipartisan DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act,” said Ranking Member Stevens. “These two agencies are absolutely critical to ensuring our national competitiveness both today and for the decades to come. This bill further strengthens the legislative foundation we secured with the landmark CHIPS and Science Act last summer. Ensuring our premiere science are able to foster a collaborative research environment is critical to supporting our overall R&D enterprise, and this bill will do just that. Importantly, by strengthening education and training, the bill will also advance efforts to build a strong STEM workforce. I would like to thank my colleague Congressman Baird for joining me in introducing this bill, and I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in advancing these provisions as soon as possible.”

“The United States has earned its reputation as a world leader in scientific research and innovation, and now more than ever, we must reinforce critical partnerships that promote domestic advancements,” said Congressman Baird.“As we face increased competition in this space from China, we must continue to empower the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation to continue their collaborations with well-vetted scientific and engineering fields so that the U.S. can continue its global leadership in this space. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Stevens to deliver a commonsense and bipartisan approach that promotes American innovation and our cutting-edge technology.” 

Specifically, the bill would: 

• Authorize collaborative research in a variety of focus areas, including advanced physics, fusion science, biological and computational science and engineering, artificial intelligence, quantum information sciences, advanced manufacturing technologies, and microelectronics.
• Promote collaboration and data and information sharing between Federal agencies, National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations.
• Direct DOE and NSF to provide access and secure data transfer capabilities to appropriate entities.
• Authorize collaboration in organizing education, training, and research initiatives relating to STEM education and workforce development.

Congresswoman Stevens serves as the Ranking Member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where she serves as a leading voice in support of the United States’ premiere federal research agencies. 

Original source can be found here.