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Strategic Planning Document - Fundamental Science
APPENDIX 1 - AN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR
SCIENCE IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST
Science in the National Interest, the President's recent
statement on science policy, lays out a series of goals and actions
required to implement them. The Committee on Fundamental Science
Research (CFS), working with the National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC), the President's Committee of Advisors on Science
and Technology (PCAST), the scientific community, and the public,
is committed to carrying out the actions that will permit the
vision of Science in the National Interest to be realized.
The table that forms the bulk of this appendix provides a listing
of the actions promised in Science in the National Interest
and the CFS approach to accomplishing the actions. It lays out
an ambitious agenda of CFS activity that will provide substantive
input for a government-wide approach to fundamental science.
Most of the products are white papers, plans, or frameworks that
will provide options for and help inform policy decisions.
GOALS/ACTIONS FROM
Goal A: MAINTAIN LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE FRONTIERS OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE.
Action 1: Our investment budget in fundamental science will
be improved in the short term as we examine existing
resources and, to match the growing importance of science as a
foundation of modern society, increased with future
improvements in the Federal government's fiscal condition.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- Analyze the base of federal investment in fundamental science. Provide information on undesirable gaps or unproductive duplication in the federal portfolio.
Develop a plan to strengthen the federal investment in fundamental science.
- Timeline
- This Strategic Implementation Plan provides both a preliminary analysis of the base and a plan to strengthen the federal investment.
First stage of implementation complete by September, 1995.
- Measures & Products
- Basic product is complete analysis of the federal investment in fundamental science, with rationale for stronger investment.
Measure will be agency requests for fundamental science in FY 1997 OMB submission.
Action 2: The NSTC will provide ongoing evaluation of America's position in fundamental science, mathematics, and engineering and recommend
actions to assure world leadership in all major fields.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- Explore what world leadership means for US science and what it requires in resources. Examine how the requirements might differ
between a clear lead for U.S. research efforts and the lesser standard of maintaining capability to take advantage of world developments. Assist in the identification of
frontier areas in which leadership is essential for the national interest.
Establish criteria for assessing the state of fundamental science. Establish panels to evaluate the world-wide state of particular
areas and of fundamental science as a whole and the relative state of US work.
The CFS Subcommittee on Research will have responsibility for these efforts. They will be carried out in cooperation with agencies,
OSTP, professional societies, and the National Research Council, among others.
- Timeline
- This first phase should be completed by September, 1995.
Criteria should be established by September, 1995. Process for assessment should be established by September, 1995. Assessments to begin
in January, 1996.
- Measures & Products
- A CFS white paper will lay out the results of these explorations.
A process to provide periodic assessments will be established.
Action 3: Our investment in fundamental science must be accompanied by careful attention to support for international
collaborations. The NSTC, with advice from PCAST, will recommend policies for long-term multinational agreements for the support
of large scientific projects.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- Develop policy options and share them with PCAST.
CFS will create a joint Subcommittee with CISET to address this issue.
- Timeline
- Begin January, 1995. Include as element of international forum scheduled for March, 1995. Prepare options for PCAST meeting in
Fall, 1995.
- Measures & Products
- A CFS/CISET white paper will lay out policy options for the attention of PCAST.
Action 4: We will work with Congress to find mechanisms for long-term authorization and budgeting commitments for large
projects whether conducted exclusively by American scientists or in partnerships with other countries.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- This is tied to Action 3. The joint CFS/CISET subcommittee will lay out a plan for working with Congress to implement the
approach agreed upon following deliberation on the options laid out in the white paper responding to Action 3.
- Timeline
- Begin January, 1995, along with Action 3.
Plan for working with Congress should be ready for implementation by February, 1996.
- Measures & Products
- Product is a new approach to meeting U.S. commitments to international cooperation on large-scale projects.
Goal B: ENHANCE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH AND NATIONAL GOALS.
Action 5: The NSTC will foster, prioritize, and coordinate major cross-agency fundamental research and education
initiatives coupled to national goals.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- Develop strategic implementation plan.
Establish mechanisms for exchange of information regarding new initiatives that can involve fundamental science.
Explore new approaches for facilitating and streamlining interagency collaborations.
CFS will establish working groups to carry out these efforts.
- Timeline
- The CFS strategic implementation plan is now complete.
Working groups will be established in January, 1995.
Mechanisms and approaches to be established in spring of 1995.
- Measures & Products
- Product is enhanced set of mechanisms and approaches
Action 6: Each agency that depends on or contributes to our science and technology base will, with involvement of the
scientific community, delineate its fundamental research and education missions with respect to the national goals; develop
long-range plans for its fundamental science, mathematics and engineering investment; and develop measures to evaluate its
contributions.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- A new CFS working group will focus on agency missions for fundamental science and their links to national goals.
CFS will develop and recommend policies for implementing GPRA's planning and performance assessment requirements as they
pertain to the unique characteristics of fundamental science. Subcommittee on Research to have primary responsibility.
- Timeline
- Begin in January, 1995. Complete work in spring, 1995. Agencies to incorporate in FY 1997 planning.
April policy colloquium will set the stage for a white paper in summer, 1995.
- Measures & Products
- Results of this effort should be visible in FY 1997 OMB submissions.
Product is a white paper that will provide options and approaches for the agencies.
Action 7: A cross-agency review of Federal laboratories will give particular attention to their role in support of national
goals and their effectiveness in performance and support of fundamental science, mathematics, and engineering.
- CFS Role/Strategy
- CFS will provide comment on review currently underway.
CFS will explore mechanisms to establish periodic external peer review of federal laboratories to evaluate performance and
insure that the programs are appropriate to national and agency goals in support of fundamental science.
- Timeline
- Spring, 1995.
Follow-up to review now underway; in conjunction with Action 6.
- Measures & Products
- Product is CFS input to OSTP process.
Product is framework for periodic external review of federal laboratories.
Goal C: STIMULATE PARTNERSHIPS THAT PROMOTE INVESTMENTS IN
FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AND EFFECTIVE USE OF PHYSICAL,
HUMAN, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
Action 8: We will work in partnership with universities and the private sector to modernize our research infrastructure. To
stimulate private sector infrastructure investments in our educational institutions, we will both support elimination of the cap on
tax-free bonds for such purposes and re-evaluate allowances for use of facilities and equipment, consistent with industrial
practice. The NSTC will develop options for how to implement the Federal investment as a systematic, long-term multi-agency,
merit-reviewed program.
-
- CFS Subcommittee on Research Infrastructure and Subcommittee on Research will have primary responsibility.
They will focus on:
- allowances for use of facilities and equipment;
- developing options for an interagency plan for academic infrastructure renewal;
- articulating priorities for fundamental science infrastructure and efficient use of existing facilities.
- Timeline
- Activities currently underway.
January, 1995.
March, 1995.
Summer, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Products include:
- Clear, stream-lined approach;
- Options for policy decisions;
- Approach that provides stability and equity for federal investment in research infrastructure.
Action 9: The NSTC, with advice from PCAST and the
broader scientific community, will advise on impediments to
industry investment in fundamental research and recommend
policies to encourage industry investment. The Clinton
Administration has supported and proposed making the
Research and Experimentation Tax Credit permanent.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Establish a forum through which industry can articulate the benefits and impediments to enhanced investment in fundamental science.
- Timeline
- Summer, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Products include:
- Forum for continued dialogue.
- Policy options developed from initial forum.
Action 10: The unique assets of the Federal research enterprise
will be viewed as a national resource not only for research and
post-graduate education but also for enriching the full
educational continuum. Federal agencies and their technical
facilities will strengthen programs offering research
experiences for pre-college and undergraduate college teachers
and technical training and apprenticeships for the school-to-work transition and for displaced workers.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Agencies will develop plans as part of Action 6.
CFS will develop integrated plan and recommend adjustments as appropriate.
- Timeline
- Summer, 1995
Fall, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Product is a coordinated approach to defining and implementing opportunities.
Action 11: The Clinton Administration will maintain a strong
commitment to Federal-state-industry partnerships for forging
stronger links between the educational community and the
workplace and for seeding merit-reviewed research programs
across the nation as important investments in developing
research capabilities and associated educational benefits.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Establish a forum through which industry and states can articulate the benefits and impediments to enhanced investment in
fundamental science, possibly in connection with Action 9 above.
- Timeline
- Summer, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Products include:
- Forum for continued dialogue.
- Policy options developed from initial forum.
Goal D: PRODUCE THE FINEST SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.
Action 12: The NSTC will produce a human resources
development policy for sustaining excellence and promoting
diversity in the science and technology workforce.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Work in conjunction with CET through joint Subcommittee on Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education.
Provide policy options that address the implications of projected changes in demographics for the U.S. in the 21st century.
- Timeline
- Not yet established.
- Measures & Products
- Product is policy options for decision making.
Action 13: Every Federal agency's educational programs in
science, mathematics, and engineering will have, as one
measure of success, its impact on increased participation by
underrepresented groups.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Work in conjunction with CET through joint Subcommittee on Excellence in Science,
Mathematics and Engineering Education.
Provide framework for addressing impact.
Agencies to incorporate in planning related to Action 6.
CFS to review plans to assure action has been taken in all agencies.
- Timeline
- Subcommittee has been charged with action.
January, 1995
Summer, 1995
Fall, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Products include:
- Framework for addressing impact;
- Report analyzing agency responses.
Action 14: The NSTC will develop a new program of Presidential awards for individuals and institutions that have
outstanding records in mentoring students from underrepresented groups toward significant achievement in science, mathematics,
and engineering.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Work in conjunction with CET through joint Subcommittee on Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education.
Develop program.
- Timeline
- Subcommittee has been charged with action.
January, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Product is establishment of the new program.
Goal E: RAISE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
LITERACY OF ALL AMERICANS.
Action 15: We will work with the research and educational
communities to implement mathematics and science education
standards to meet the needs for higher achievement, to prepare
students for high quality jobs of the future, and to foster
excellence in and appreciation of science.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Primary responsibility lies with CET. CFS will maintain contact through joint Subcommittee.
- Timeline
- Mathematics standards are in place. Draft Science standards issued December, 1994; final standards due during 1995.
- Measures & Products
- No formal CFS product.
Action 16: We must involve teachers in career-long professional development where researchers work in
partnership with practicing teachers to bring the excitement of research and its discoveries into the classroom.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Work in conjunction with CET through joint Subcommittee on Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education.
Develop plan for such partnerships.
- Timeline
- Subcommittee has been charged with action.
January, 1995
- Measures & Products
- Product is an implementable plan of action to be addressed in agency plans in connection with Action 6.
Action 17: Federal agencies will encourage research scientists
to use their research experiences in support of public
understanding and appreciation of science.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Work in conjunction with CET through joint Subcommittee on Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education.
Tie to Action 15.
- Timeline
- Not yet established.
- Measures & Products
- Product is an implementable plan of action for working with the research and education communities.
Action 18: This Administration will encourage the
development of industry-state-local government consortia and
regional alliances to bring telecommunications and other
information resources to elementary and secondary schools,
two and four-year colleges, and universities. The National
Information Infrastructure will play a central role. We must
educate our children for the twenty-first century workplace in
a twenty-first century setting.
- CFS Roles/Strategy
- Primarily the responsibility of CET and HPCC. CFS will maintain contact to assist as appropriate.
- Timeline
- See CET strategic implementation plan.
- Measures & Products
- No formal CFS product.
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