On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved legislation to create a Technology and Innovation Directorate within the National Science Foundation as well as provide billions in new funding to the agency. The bipartisan Endless Frontiers Act (EFA) was approved on a 24-4 vote and is expected to receive full consideration in the chamber by the end of the month. Significant changes were made to the legislation in recent days including a reduction of funding directed to the new technology directorate. The committee-approved version authorizes $81 billion for NSF for FY21-26, including $52 billion to existing basic research activities and $29 billion to the new directorate. Additionally, the bill authorizes $17 billion for the Department of Energy.
Yesterday, the House Research and Technology Subcommittee advanced its version of EFA, the NSF for the Future Act. The House bill authorizes $72.7 billion for NSF over the same period as EFA, with $59.5 billion to the existing basic research mission and $13.2 for a new Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions. The House bill is also on track for consideration by the full chamber in the coming weeks.
FSU Federal Relations continues to work with the higher education community to engage the Florida delegation on the NSF bills.
