Sec. 702. NSF organizational review
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/bill/117/hr/2153/ih/section-702A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress that— since its establishment in 1950, the National Science Foundation has been the gold standard for the world in funding basic science and engineering research; the National Science Foundation should continue to fund competitive, merit-reviewed basic research across all fields of science and engineering to achieve its statutory mission; scientific research has become increasingly interdisciplinary, crossing the boundaries of individual fields and the divisions and directorates of the National Science Foundation that support research grants; and as the nature of scientific research changes, it is important for the institutions that support science like the National Science Foundation, to periodically evaluate whether the organization needs to evolve to continue to fund the best science, the best scientists, and the most groundbreaking research.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall contract with the National Academy of Public Administration (referred to in this section as the National Academy ) to conduct a study on the organizational and management structure of the Foundation, to— evaluate and make recommendations for the structure of the Foundation’s directorates, divisions, and offices of the Foundation to efficiently and effectively fund and oversee research grants and education and training programs; evaluate and make recommendations for any structural changes needed to improve the support for cross-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research; evaluate and make recommendations for the long-term planning and development of research infrastructure projects; and make recommendations for the management of the Foundation’s business practices, including personnel and financial management.
Upon completion of the study under subsection (b), the Director shall transmit the study to Congress along with a summary of the Director’s plans, if any, to implement the recommendations of the National Academy.