Accomplishments
of the
National Science and Technology Council
(NSTC)

The Clinton Administration is changing the nature of Federal S&T policy and policymaking. The President established the NSTC in 1993 to coordinate the diverse parts of the Federal research and development (R&D) enterprise and to foster synergy among the varied talents of the Federal S&T workforce. In November 1996, the NSTC completed its third year of operation and moved from the identification of strategic goals, as defined in the 1995 NSTC committees' strategic plans, to implementation of specific initiatives that redirect the Federal Government's investments in S&T toward fundamental national goals, while streamlining Government and saving taxpayers' dollars.

A critical function of the NSTC is the identification and issuance of R&D priorities and goals to serve as guidance for all Federal agencies to use in their budget development. In 1996, the NSTC committees contributed to the development of the FY 1998 R&D budget guidelines for Federal S&T agencies.

A list of initiatives was developed for the NSTC to undertake during 1996 and other issues were addressed in response to rising needs. The issues addressed by the NSTC during 1996 are grouped according to six overarching Presidential themes, though many fall under more than one category. The six themes are:

I. Maintaining World Leadership in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering
II. Promoting Long-Term Economic Growth
III. Sustaining a Healthy, Educated Citizenry
IV. Improving Environmental Quality
V. Harnessing Information Technology
VI. Enhancing National Security and Global Stability

During 1996, each of the nine NSTC committees--fundamental science; health, safety, and food; environment and natural resources; computing, information, and communications; national security; technological innovation; transportation; education and training; and international science, engineering, and technology--achieved significant accomplishments in addressing specific issues within each of the six R&D goal areas.

I. Maintaining World Leadership in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering. The NSTC made several significant accomplishments toward this goal, including addressing the challenge of how to assess fundamental science by offering basic assessment principles and providing information about performance measures. The NSTC also assessed how well agencies had responded to the Presidential Decision Directive (PDD NSTC-5), Guidelines for Federal Laboratory Reform, revealing that progress had been made, but more effort was required to be fully responsive to the PDD. To address bioethical issues arising from research on human biology, the President appointed 18 non- government experts to serve on the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) under the auspices of the NSTC. The NBAC charter was signed by the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology in June 1996 and NBAC met for the first time in October 1996. Another important accomplishment during 1996 was the NSTC review of the United States Antarctic Program, which concluded that the science performed under that program was of high quality and high interest and should be maintained within funding constraints. Finally, in response to communications to the President emphasizing that the Nation's university research system was going through a period of stress, the President directed that a review be conducted, Presidential Review Directive (PRD NSTC-4), to evaluate the need to revisit Federal policies concerning the capacity of U.S. universities to meet the Nation's research and educational requirements of the next century.

II. Promoting Long-Term Economic Growth. The NSTC continued to foster collaborations between industry, academia, and Federal, State and local governments. The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) and the National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI) are examples of how an impetus from the Federal Government can strengthen U.S. industry. Each of the Big Three U.S. automakers-- Ford, Chrysler and General Motors--produced a PNGV concept vehicle demonstrating different "Supercar" possibilities. NEMI successfully transitioned into a completely industry-funded, industry-led incorporation. In the area of construction and building, progress was made toward streamlining and coordinating regulatory permitting of construction projects, as well as meeting the National Construction Goals and the Department of Housing and Urban Developments' National Home Ownership Strategy. To enhance the technology partnerships between the Federal and State governments, the United States Innovation Partnership (USIP) was established. To address civil, military, scientific, and commercial interests, new Presidential Directives were issued for National Space Policy and the Global Positioning System. Additional areas of progress in 1996 that address this goal include biomass energy, aeronautics and aviation R&D, and human factors in transportation systems.

III. Sustaining a Healthy, Educated Citizenry. The NSTC established and presented awards through two new programs that will contribute significantly toward this goal: 1) Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring; and 2) Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The NSTC also developed a policy statement on the Nation's health, safety, and food. With increased attention focused on children's issues Nation-wide, the NSTC sponsored A National Research Initiative for Children for the 21st Century to examine the research agenda on the biological, cognitive, and social development of America's children and adolescents. In addition, the NSTC played a vital role in supporting the President's Education Technology Initiative, launched in February 1996, through active participation in activities such as NetDays, Tech Corps, and America's Technology Literacy Challenge.

IV. Improving Environmental Quality. The NSTC fostered the development of partnerships between the Federal Government and non- Federal researchers working toward improving environmental quality by making information available to the public on: 1) Federal environmental testing and demonstration sites; and 2) Federally-funded environment and natural resources R&D. The NSTC made progress toward the goal of integrating the many national environmental monitoring systems through a series of workshops, with experts from Federal, State and local governments, academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry, aimed at building the broadest possible foundation for integrating this complex, uncoordinated system. The health and safety issues related to natural disasters, oxygenated fuels and endocrine disrupting chemicals were also addressed through NSTC efforts.

V. Harnessing Information Technology. The NSTC sponsored a number of activities during 1996 related to High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) including the PetaSoft Systems Software Summer Study, workshops on software for high performance computing systems and PetaFlops architecture, and an exhibit at the Supercomputing '96 Conference. The NSTC was also active in supporting the Administration's initiatives on the global and national information infrastructures by coordinating Federal R&D efforts in telecommunications and information technologies.

VI. Enhancing National Security and Global Stability. Two threats with international dimensions, emerging infectious diseases and natural disasters, were addressed by the NSTC. In response to an NSTC study, Vice President Gore announced PDD NSTC-7, directing the Federal Government to strengthen the U.S. ability to respond to the growing threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. To address the international dimensions of natural disasters, the NSTC formed a working group to consider ways in which U.S. engagement internationally in the S&T of natural disaster reduction could be more fully exploited to reduce the costs to life and property from natural hazards. The NSTC also coordinated U.S. positions for Ministerial meetings on S&T with key nations and regions. Additionally, the NSTC prepared several classified reports to allow the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to effectively assess and articulate how the total Federal program on nonproliferation (such as plutonium disposition) and arms control meets the President's goals in this area.

President Clinton established the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) at the same time that he established the NSTC to advise the President on matters involving S&T, and to assist the NSTC in securing private sector involvement in its activities. The PCAST, which consists of distinguished individuals from industry, education and research institutions, and other non- governmental organizations, serves as the highest level private sector advisory group for the President and the NSTC. The direct link to the activities of the NSTC reflects the Administration's intention to incorporate advice from the private sector in developing the S&T budgets and policies of this Administration and to secure private sector advice on the implementation and evaluation of budgets and policies. Appendix A describes accomplishments of the PCAST for 1996.

In the interest of maintaining excellence, while minimizing Federal costs and maximizing effectiveness, the FY 1998 R&D policy principles directed the agencies to:

1. emphasize peer review and select programs through a merit based competitive process;

2. jointly fund research and education programs through industry, university, or State partnerships;

3. support multiple goals that provide promise of a high social rate of return, such as improving the environment and helping American businesses compete internationally; ensuring national security while contributing to a strong technical base in civilian businesses; or coupling research, education, and training to strengthen the technical literacy of our diverse workforce; and

4. establish and use metrics to measure progress and performance realistically.

Accomplishments. The NBAC charter was signed by the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology on July 28, 1996. The key points of the charter are:

• The immediate charge to NBAC is to consider issues in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects and management and use of genetic information.
• The general charge to NBAC is to consider current and prospective issues pertinent to the conduct of research on human biology and behavior and to identify broad, overarching principles to govern the ethical conduct of such research. NBAC will have the authority to establish its own priorities and agenda, in accordance with four criteria described in the charter and subject to NSTC approval.
• NBAC will be composed of experts in the fields of philosophy and theology, social and behavioral science, law, medicine and biological research, in addition to representatives of the general public. Its members will be appointed by the President.

The President appointed 18 members to NBAC, which is chaired by Dr. Harold Shapiro, president of Princeton University. The inaugural meeting was held on October 4, 1996.

Accomplishments. The President directed that a review, Presidential Review Directive (PRD NSTC-4), be conducted by a multiagency task force under the auspices of NSTC, to revisit Federal policies concerning the capacity of universities to meet the Nation's research and educational requirements in the next century. The review will: 1) examine data to determine what might be the major stresses in the areas of research, education, and administrative regulations; and 2) determine what the Federal Government's role should be in addressing any issues raised by the examination.

Accomplishments. In 1996, each USCAR company produced a PNGV concept vehicle that demonstrated different "Supercar" possibilities. At the 1996 Detroit Auto Show, both Ford and Chrysler released their PNGV experimental concept cars--Ford's Synergy 2010 and Chrysler's Intrepid ESX. In December 1996, General Motors introduced the industry's first electric car (EV1) which incorporates various PNGV technologies.

Accomplishments. Three pilot biomass energy projects were funded in 1996 through cooperative agreements with the Departments of Energy and Agriculture. The first project, with the Salix Corporation of New York, seeks to use willow feedstocks to produce power directly and through cofiring. The second project, with the Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers, seeks to develop an integrated alfalfa processing and biomass power system using integrated gasification combined-cycle technology. The third project, with the Iowa-Charlton Valley Partnership, seeks to use underutilized marginal conservation reserve program cropland to grow switchgrass for use in generating power through cofiring at an existing coal-fired facility. Each of these projects, expected to achieve their objectives by the year 2001, will contribute significantly toward demonstrating the feasibility of these technologies, increasing understanding of the problems, and reducing the costs associated with biomass energy systems.

Accomplishments. The NSTC's Electronics Subcommittee of the Committee on Technological Innovation undertook an initiative with the American Electronics Association (AEA) to develop a research partnership with the Nation's electronics manufacturing industry. This effort came to fruition on March 13, 1996, with the announcement of National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, Incorporated (NEMI). NEMI is a consortium created to ensure the sustained growth and competitiveness of electronics manufacturing in the U.S. NEMI is an industry-funded, industry-led, private-public partnership that brings together the largest electronic equipment manufacturers in the U.S. and their key suppliers with government agencies to foster development of the world's best electronics manufacturing supply chain. NEMI will improve manufacturing technology by establishing development and implementation projects between users and suppliers. In addition, NEMI has identified key R&D activities which will require the coordination of its members and outside organizations. NEMI is working with Government and non-government organizations including the NSTC, OSTP, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and SEMATECH to establish linkages to ensure this coordination. NEMI is a prime example of the NSTC providing an initial Federal Government impetus and moving forward to a non- government activity.

Accomplishments. On March 29, 1996, the President approved a new national policy on the future management and use of the GPS, PDD NSTC-6. The President's policy will open the door for rapid growth in a burgeoning civil and commercial GPS market, which already exceeds $1 billion per year,and could add 100,000 jobs to the U.S. economy by the year 2000.

Accomplishments. The President issued a Presidential Decision Directive (PDD NSTC- 8) to update the national space policy to be consistent with the Administration's civilian, national security, and commercial space programs and policies.

Accomplishments. In September 1996, President Clinton named 10 individual and six institutional recipients of the first Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. The winners were selected from 131 nominees, which included 90 individuals and 40 institutions, by leaders in the community using National Science Foundation review procedures.

Accomplishments. The NSTC Committees on Health, Safety, and Food and on Fundamental Science co-sponsored the National Research Initiative for Children for the 21st Century to examine the research agenda on the biological, cognitive, and social development of America's children and adolescents. With OSTP leadership, this work was undertaken by a working group, chaired by representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health, with representation from all Federal stakeholders in research on children, including the Domestic Policy Council. The size and scope of the Federal research portfolio on children and adolescents has been assessed, and gaps in the current knowledge base and in research funding have been identified. The research priorities of the Federal agencies were reviewed and recommendations were formulated for sustainable collaborations and communications within the Federal Government and for partnerships with appropriate public and private sector parties. Recommendations were also made regarding the use of research findings to improve the quality of services and the formulation of policies regarding children.

1. Connect every school and classroom in America to the information superhighway.

2. Provide access to modern computers for all teachers and students.

3. Develop effective and engaging software and on-line learning resources as an integral part of the school curriculum.

4. Provide all teachers the training and support they need to help students learn through computers and the information superhighway.

Accomplishments. The work of the NSTC in this area has supported the President's Educational Technology Initiative, launched in February 1996, and has included public/private partnership activities such as NetDays, Tech Corps, and America's Technology Literacy Challenge.

NetDay96 was a volunteer effort by California companies, universities, parents, teachers, and engineers to install internal wiring in California schools. On March 9, 1996, the President and Vice President and more than 20,000 volunteers laid six million feet of cable connecting thousands of California schools with the technology needed to link classrooms, libraries, and laboratories to the information superhighway. This effort sparked an enormous response around the Nation and in the fall 1996, over 40 States organized and participated in NetDays, wiring over 25,000 schools, using over 250,000 volunteers. NetDays across the country will continue in April 1997, bringing the Nation dramatically closer to our goal of connecting all classrooms to the Net by the end of the decade.

The President announced the creation of the Tech Corps--a national organization of private sector volunteers with technological expertise dedicated to improving K-12 education at the local level. Tech Corps was launched as a private-sector response to the President's national mission to make all children technologically literate by the dawn of the 21st century. Its purpose is to recruit, place, and support volunteers from the private sector to advise and assist schools in integrating new technologies into the classroom. Official Tech Corps chapters have been formed in 35 States plus the District of Columbia.

To implement his 1996 State of the Union proposal, President Clinton asked Congress to fund a $2 billion, five-year Technology Literacy Challenge designed to catalyze State, local, and private sector partnerships in each State to achieve the four educational technology goals. Congress supported the President's request and appropriated $200 million in FY 1996 for the first installment of funding for the five-year program that will provide State grants to help fulfill this challenge.

Improving environmental quality requires supporting a broad and comprehensive research agenda, including observing, documenting, understanding, assessing and predicting environmental change and its consequences; using natural resources in a sustainable manner; understanding and preserving biodiversity; and developing analytical tools that integrate social, economic and natural sciences to support policy formation. Improving environmental quality also requires the implementation of scientifically-based decisions that would prevent or mitigate activities that adversely affect public health or ecological systems.

Accomplishments. The NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources fostered an interagency effort to integrate the Nation's environmental monitoring and related research. Coordination of the 15,000 Federal environmental monitoring sites and the approximately $650 million annual expenditures will enable policymakers to better understand the causes and effects of environmental change and the ability to predict how an action will affect the health of ecosystems in the future. A framework for this integration is being developed and will be published in Spring 1997. A Mid-Atlantic Regional Workshop, held in April 1996, laid the basis for a pilot demonstration project. A national workshop, with representatives from State and local governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, and academic experts, was held in September 1996, to build the broadest possible foundation for integrating national monitoring efforts.

While the private sector will build and run the Global Information Infrastructure, the Federal Government has a number of important roles to play, including the funding of computing and communications research in our universities, Federal labs, and companies. One of the reasons the U.S. is predominant in so many aspects of information technology is because of the billions of dollars that the Federal Government invested in research in this area and close cooperation between researchers in Government, industry, and academia.

Accomplishments. Throughout 1996, the NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications provided advice to the Office of Management and Budget, OSTP, and the NII Advisory Committee on new technological developments. By working with the mission agencies, the committee helped to coordinate the Federal telecommunications and information technology investments. Through this coordination, the technologies required for the high-speed communications infrastructure were defined.

Accomplishments. Throughout 1996, the NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications has coordinated Federal investments in large scale network engineering, management, and services, and systems software and program development environments for network-centric computing. The Committee worked with the mission agencies to eliminate duplication and identify areas where additional R&D investments are required.

Accomplishments. Coordinated U.S. positions were developed for Ministerial meetings on S&T with the nations and regions noted above. In the case of China, this effort contributed to the five-year renewal of the U.S.- China Science and Technology Agreement.

Accomplishments. The NPAC TWG completed its second year of operation. Its classified reports--the annual NPAC TWG summary, the report of the Technology Needs Subcommittee, and the focus group reports--represent the best source of detailed interagency budget crosscuts in nonproliferation and arms control R&D. These crosscuts allow OSTP to effectively assess and articulate how the total program meets the President's goals in this area. The NPAC reports to the NSTC Committee on National Security.

PCAST is co-chaired by the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, Dr. John H. Gibbons, and Mr. John Young, former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hewlett-Packard Co. The membership includes:

• Norman Augustine, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Francisco Ayala, Professor, University of California, Irvine
• Murray Gell-Mann, Professor, Santa Fe Institute and Professor Emeritus, California Institute of Technology
• David Hamburg, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York
• John Holdren, Professor, Harvard University
• Diana MacArthur, Chair and CEO, Dynamac Corporation
• Shirley Malcom, Directorate Head, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Mario Molina, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Peter Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden
• Sally Ride, Director, California Space Institute, and Professor, University of California - San Diego
• Judith Rodin, President, University of Pennsylvania
• Charles A. Sanders, Former Chairman and CEO, Glaxo-Wellcome, Inc.
• Phillip Sharp, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• David Shaw, CEO, D.E. Shaw and Co.
• Charles Vest, President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Virginia Weldon, Senior Vice President, Monsanto Company
• Lilian Shiao-Yen Wu, Research Staff, Thomas J. Watson Research Center, IBM

The Committee's fifth and sixth plenary sessions were held April 18-19, 1996, and September 16-17, 1996, respectively. At the April meeting, PCAST returned to the issue of reviewing the Federal R&D budget priorities, but focused more narrowly on how various Federal Government agencies support research universities in their budgets. In addition, they reviewed drafts from several of the PCAST working groups, reviewed progress on NSTC initiatives, and received briefings by the OSTP Associate Directors on new NSTC initiatives. At the September meeting, PCAST sponsored a "round-table" with invited university presidents, corporate executives, and Nobel laureates to discuss key issues on university-Government partnerships. PCAST also discussed S&T issues related to improving international cooperation.

During 1996, in addition to providing informal advice to the President and several Federal agencies, writing letters, and working with Congress to help its members understand the importance of the S&T enterprise to the Nation's security and economic growth, PCAST issued the following three reports to the President:

• Principles on the U.S. Government's Investment Role in Technology (June 1996) provides criteria to be used by policymakers in identifying essential investments in technology, as well as targets of opportunity for support. The transmittal letter underscores the importance of these investments for the Nation's economic security. Copies of the Principles were also forwarded to members of Congress with a special interest in or responsibility for S&T issues.

• Letter Report on Research Universities (June 1996) concluded that the stresses on these institutions threaten their two fundamental missions: 1) discovery of new knowledge; and 2) preparation of the next generation. PCAST recommended that the Federal Government initiate a full policy and administrative review, including its current policies, programs, and regulations affecting the university- Government partnership, and that the results of this review be reported to the President. In response to this letter report, as well as to similar letters from corporate leaders and Nobel laureates, the President directed the NSTC to issue a Presidential Review Directive (PRD NSTC-4), Review of the University-Government Partnership, calling for an assessment by June 1997. Actions recommended could then be incorporated into agency budget planning for FY 1999.

• Preventing Deadly Conflict (November, 1996) concluded that: 1) scientific research can clarify the causes of deadly conflict at the individual, group, and international levels; 2) R&D sharpen the concepts and techniques of conflict resolution; 3) application of research can diminish the development of prejudice and ethnocentrism during childhood and adolescence; and 4) international cooperation among scientists can help prevent deadly conflict. PCAST recommended that the Administration support enhanced activities in each of these areas as well as encourage ongoing efforts already underway at several U.S. Government agencies. Furthermore, PCAST recommended that the NSTC should coordinate the efforts across the Government.

For Copies of PCAST Reports and Letters and Further Information, Contact: PCAST Executive Secretariat
202-456-6100 (phone) 202-456-6026 (fax)

Also Available on the PCAST Home Page via Link from the OSTP Home Page at: /WH/EOP/OSTP/html/OSTP_Home.html

NSTC PRDs:

1. Federal Laboratories, dated 5/5/94--Interagency review of the Department of Defense (DoD) the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)--the three largest laboratory systems--to evaluate and develop recommendations for ways to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. The NSTC's review provides guidance, building upon and integrating the individual agency reviews. Completion of review led to PDD-5.

2. Space Policy dated, 5/15/95--Comprehensive review of national space policy identifying and recommending changes and ensuring written policies reflect the Administration's civilian, national security, and commercial space programs and policies. Identifies and recommends changes to related national security directives containing guidance on space policies and programs. Completion of review led to PDD-8.

3. Global Positioning System (GPS) Policy Review, dated 5/18/95-- Review of GPS policy issues and recommendations on national policy on the future management and use of GPS. Considers national security, economic policy and foreign policy issues. Completion of review led to PDD-6.

4. Review of the University-Government Partnership, dated 9/26/96-- A Government-wide policy and administration review of the U.S. university research system. The NSTC will form a task force to conduct the review to determine what might be the major stresses in the areas of research, education, and administrative regulations, and determine what the Federal Government=s role should be in addressing any issues raised by this examination. Due 6/30/97.

NSTC PDDs:

1. Establishment of Presidential Review and Decision Series/NSTC, dated 1/25/94.

2. Convergence of U.S. Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite Systems, dated 5/5/94--Integrates the Department of Commerce (DOC) and DoD polar-orbiting environmental satellite systems to reduce the cost of acquisition and operation. Directs DoD, NASA and DOC to: create an Integrated Program Office no later than 10/1/94 and form a convergence Executive Committee to ensure that both civil and national security requirements are satisfied; coordinate program plans, budgets and policies; and ensure that agency funding commitments are equitable and sustained.

3. Landsat Remote Sensing Strategy, dated 5/5/94--Provides for continuation of the Landsat 7 program, assuring continuity and quality of Landsat-type data and reducing the risk of a data gap.

4. National Space Transportation Policy, dated 8/5/94--Establishes national policy, guidelines, and implementing actions for the conduct of national space transportation programs that will sustain and revitalize U.S. space transportation capabilities. Recognizes criticality of space program for achieving national security, scientific, technical, commercial and foreign policy goals. Assures that reliable and affordable access to space through U.S. space transportation capabilities is a fundamental goal of the U.S. space program. Makes DoD the lead agency responsible for improvement and evolution of current Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) fleet. Makes NASA responsible for improving the space shuttle system, focusing on reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Assigns the Department of Transportation (DOT) and DOC responsibility for private sector and State/local government arrangements. Directs NASA and DoD to develop a Memorandum of Agreement to consolidate future expendable launch service requirements.

5. Guidelines for Federal Laboratory Reform, dated 9/24/95-- Response to NSTC PRD 1. Review of DoD, DOE, and NASA, concluding that these laboratories provide essential services to the Nation in fundamental science, national security, environmental protection and cleanup, and industrial competitiveness. States that all three DOE nuclear weapons labs are essential. Directs DOE to maintain nuclear weapons responsibilities and capabilities adequate to support the science-based stockpile stewardship program required to ensure continued confidence in the safety and reliability of the nuclear- weapons stockpile in the absence of nuclear testing. Directs Federal agencies to: 1) review and, as appropriate, rescind internal management instructions and oversight that impede laboratory performance; 2) clarify and focus the mission assignments of their laboratories; and 3) achieve all possible budget savings through streamlining and management improvements before productive R&D programs are sacrificed.

6. U.S. Global Positioning System Policy, dated 3/28/95--Response to NSTC PRD 3. Establishes national policy for the management and use of the U.S. GPS and related U.S. Government augmentations. The policy presents a strategic vision for the future management and use of GPS, addressing a broad range of military, civil, commercial and scientific interests, both national and international.

7. Emerging Infectious Diseases, dated 6/12/96--Establishes national policy and implementing actions to address the threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases by improving surveillance, prevention, and response measures. A Task Force under the auspices of the NSTC will provide strategic planning and further coordination on issues of emerging infectious diseases. The task force will provide the President with annual reports on the progress realized, including recommendations for further action.

8. National Space Policy, dated 9/19/96--Response to NSTC PRD 2. Updates the national space policy to be consistent with the Administration=s civilian, national security, and commercial space programs and policies.

For Fact Sheets and/or Press Releases on NSTC Presidential Directives, Contact: National Science and Technology Council Executive Secretariat
202-456-6100 (phone) 202-456-6026 (fax)

1. High Performance Computing and Communications Program Successes, NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications, June 1994

2. High Performance Computing and Communications Technology for the National Information Infrastructure, NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications, 1994

3. Technology for a Sustainable Future: A Framework for Action, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, July 1994

4. Partnership of a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) Program Plan, NSTC Committee on Technological Innovation, July 1994

5. Science in the National Interest, NSTC Committee on Fundamental Science, August 1994

6. A Strategic Planning Document for Meeting the 21st Century, NSTC Committee on Education and Training, March 1995

7. Preparing for the Future through Science and Technology, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, March 1995

8. America in the Age of Information, NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications, March 1995

9. Bridge to a Sustainable Future, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, April 1995

10. Interagency Federal Laboratory Review Final Report, NSTC Federal Laboratory Review Working Group, May 1995

11. High Performance Computing and Communications 1996 Implementation Plan, NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications, May 1995

12. High Performance Computing and Communications Foundation for America's Information Future, NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications, 1995

13. Setting a New Course for U.S. Coastal Ocean Science, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, July 1995

14. Biotechnology for the 21st Century: New Horizons, NSTC Committee on Fundamental Science, July 1995

15. Global Microbial Threats in the 1990's, NSTC Committee on International Science, Engineering, and Technology, July 1995

16. Goals for a National Partnership in Aeronautics Research and Technology, NSTC Committee on Transportation, August 1995

17. Infectious Disease--A Global Health Threat, NSTC Committee on International Science, Engineering, and Technology, September 1995

18. National Security Science and Technology Strategy, NSTC Committee on National Security, September 1995

19. National R&D Strategy for Toxic Substances and Hazardous Solid Waste, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, September 1995

20. Construction and Building: Federal Research and Development in Support of the U.S. Construction Industry, NSTC Committee on Technological Innovation, October 1995

21. Forum on Future Directions in Transportation R&D, NSTC Committee on Transportation, October 1995

22. Our Changing Planet: The FY 1996 U.S. Global Change Research Program, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, October 1995

23. NSTC Accomplishments (November 1993 - September 1995), NSTC Executive Secretariat, October 1995

24. Interagency Report on Orbital Debris, NSTC Committee on Transportation, November 1995

25. Building a Scientific Basis to Ensure the Vitality and Productivity of U.S. Ecosystems, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, December 1995

26. National Planning for Construction and Building R&D, NSTC Committee on Technological Innovation, December 1995

27. Interagency Assessment of Potential Health Risks Associated with Oxygenated Gasoline, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, February 1996

28. Meeting the Challenge (A Research Agenda for America's Health, Safety, and Food), NSTC Committee on Health, Safety, and Food, February 1996

29. United States Antarctic Program, NSTC Committee on Fundamental Science, April 1996

30. Strategy for National Earthquake Loss Reduction, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, April 1996

31. NSTC Accomplishments--Calendar Year 1995, NSTC Executive Secretariat, May 1996

32. Human-Centered Transportation Systems Brochure, NSTC Committee on Transportation, May 1996

33. Assessing Fundamental Science Report, NSTC Committee on Fundamental Science, July 1996

34. Technology in the National Interest, NSTC Committee on Technological Innovation, July 1996

35. Program Guide to Federally Funded Environment and Natural Resources R&D, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, June 1996

36. Environmental Technologies Testing and Demonstration Sites: A Federal Directory, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, September 1996

37. Our Changing Planet: The FY 1997 U.S. Global Change Research Program, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, September 1996

38. Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Brochure, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, September 1996

39. The Federal Research and Development Program in Materials Science and Technology, NSTC Committee on Technological Innovation, November 1996

40. High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Advancing The Frontiers of Information Technology, NSTC Committee on Computing, Information, and Communications, November 1996

41. The Health and Ecological Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Framework for Planning, NSTC Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, November 1996

Reports and Further Information May be Obtained by Contacting: The NSTC Executive Secretariat
202-456-6100 (phone) 202-456-6026 (fax)

Reports are Also Available on the NSTC Home Page via Link from the OSTP Home Page at: /WH/EOP/OSTP/html/OSTP_Home.html

The accomplishments of the private sector President's Committee on Science and Technology (PCAST) for 1996 are also included as Appendix A of this report. PCAST was established at the same time as the NSTC with a primary function to assist the NSTC to ensure that Federal S&T policies reflect the full spectrum of the Nation's needs.

For Additional Copies and Further Information, Contact: National Science and Technology Council Executive Secretariat
202-456-6100 (phone) 202-456-6026 (fax)

Also Available on the NSTC Home Page via Link from the OSTP Home Page at: /WH/EOP/OSTP/html/OSTP_Home.html