42 U.S.C. § 1862s–1 | Transparency and accountability

(a)

Findings

(1)

1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by introductory text.

  building the understanding of and confidence in investments in basic research is essential to public support for sustained, predictable Federal funding;

(2)

the Foundation has improved transparency and accountability of the outcomes made through the merit review process, but additional transparency into individual grants is valuable in communicating and assuring the public value of federally funded research; and

(3)

the Foundation should commit to transparency and accountability and to clear, consistent public communication regarding the national interest for each Foundation-awarded grant and cooperative agreement.

(b)

Guidance

(1)

In general

The Director of the Foundation shall issue and periodically update, as appropriate, policy guidance for both Foundation staff and other Foundation merit review process participants on the importance of transparency and accountability to the outcomes made through the merit review process.

(2)

Requirements

The guidance under paragraph (1) shall require that each public notice of a Foundation-funded research project justify the expenditure of Federal funds by—

(A)

describing how the project—

(i)

42 U.S.C. 1861 reflects the statutory mission of the Foundation, as established in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 ( et seq.); and

(ii)

addresses the Foundation’s intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria; and

(B)

clearly identifying the research goals of the project in a manner that can be easily understood by both technical and non-technical audiences.

Pub. L. 114–329, title I, § 102Jan. 6, 2017130 Stat. 2971(, , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act May 10, 1950, ch. 171 64 Stat. 149 section 1861 of this titleThe National Science Foundation Act of 1950, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i), is , , which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, and not as part of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 which comprises this chapter.

section 102 of Pub. L. 114–329 section 102 of Pub. L. 114–329 section 1862p–14 of this titleSection is comprised of . Subsec. (c) of amended .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

section 2 of Pub. L. 114–329 section 1862s of this titleFor definitions of terms used in this section, see , set out as a note under .