National Nanotechnology Initiative – Strategic Plan
National Nanotechnology Initiative – December 2007 – 52 pages
http://www.nano.gov/NNI_Strategic_Plan_2007.pdf
“Advances in nanotechnology – the ability to see, measure and control matter at the scale of atoms and molecules – are leading to novel applications in areas ranging from aerospace to agriculture. The NNI Strategic Plan outlines the goals and priorities of the initiatives and describes approaches for achieving them. The plan supports leading edge research, sustains the extensive infrastructures of facilities, seeks to facilitate technology transfer, and addresses environmental, health and societal concerns.”
John F. Sargent Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress – Report - Web posted June 22, 2008 – 15 pages
Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34511.pdf
Nanoscale science, engineering and technology, commonly referred to collectively as nanotechnology, is believed by many to offer extraordinary economic and societal benefits. Congress has demonstrated continuing support for nanotechnology and has directed its attention primarily to three topics that may affect the realization of this hoped for potential: federal research and development (R&D) in nanotechnology; U.S. competitiveness; and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns. The report provides an overview of these topics and two others: nano-manufacturing and public understanding of and attitudes toward nanotechnology.
Science and Engineering Indicators: 2008
National Science Foundation - National Science Board - January 15, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind08/
“This biennial report shows the condition of science and engineering research and education in the U.S. It is the most comprehensive source of information on research and development conducted by universities, industry, and the federal government. The Board made three major recommendations: (1) the federal government should enhance the level of funding for basic research; (2) industry, government, the academic sector, and professional organizations should encourage greater intellectual interchange between industry and academia; and (3) new data are needed to track implications for the U.S. economy of the globalization of manufacturing and services in high technology industry.”
Research and Development: Essential Foundation for U.S. Competitiveness in a Global Economy: A Companion to Science and Engineering Indicators 2008
National Science Foundation - National Science Board - January 15, 2008 – 12 pages
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsb0803/nsb0803.pdf
““Innovation is a key to economic competitiveness and the technological breakthroughs that improve our lives.” The U.S. industry and the government are the pillars of financial support for U.S. research and development (R&D). However, indicators show stagnation and decline in some disciplines especially basic research. The industry share of support in universities and colleges has been declining over the last several years; likewise, government support for academic R&D began falling in 2005. These indicators raise important questions about the future of U.S. competitiveness in international markets.”
Advancing Research in Science and Engineering Investing in Early-Career Scientists and High-Risk, High-Reward Research
American Academy of Arts and Sciences – Report – 2008 – 69 pages
http://amacad.org/arisefolder/ariseReport.pdf
“The American Academy of Arts and Sciences assembled a committee of academic and business leaders to stimulate discussion of, and action on, two issues central to the nation’s research efforts that have not received sufficient attention: • Support for early-career faculty.• Encouragement of high-risk, high-reward, potentially transformative research. We strongly believe that, regardless of overall federal research funding levels, America must invest in young scientists and transformative research in order to sustain its ability to compete in the new global environment. In this report, we outline a series of recommendations for all key stakeholders, including government, universities, and foundations.”
Rebecca Skinner & Blake Naughton
College Costs and Prices: Issues for Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act
US Congress Library - Congressional Research Service - RL34224 - October 30, 2007 – 44 pages
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34224_20071030.pdf
“The cost of attending U.S. colleges and universities is a growing concern. Many Americans believe that college is now out of financial reach for most students. Federal policymakers are concerned about affordability, access for low-income students, and financial aid. This report presents the current status and the historical trends of college costs. The report concludes with an overview of the relevant issues related to the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965.”
Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation
Library of Congress - Congressional Research Service (CRS) - RL31146 - December 10, 2007 – 26 pages
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL31146_20071210.pdf
“More than six years after 9/11, the security concerns over foreign student visas are being weighed against competitiveness concerns. Foreign students must “satisfy Department of State (DOS) consular officers abroad and immigration inspectors upon entry . . . that they are not ineligible for visas under the so-called ‘grounds for inadmissibility’ of the Immigration and Nationality Act . . .”; consequently, student visa debates have expanded to include both security issues and market-based discussions. These diverse sets of issues have raised concerns with universities and advocacy groups while bills before Congress have focused on attracting foreign students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.”
Shayerah Ilias & Ian Fergusson
Intellectual Property Rights and International Trade
Library of Congress - Congressional Research Service (CRS) - December 20, 2007 – 52 pages
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34292_20071220.pdf
“This report provides background on intellectual property rights (IPR) and discusses the role of U.S. international trade policy in enhancing IPR protection and enforcement abroad. IPR are legal rights granted by governments to encourage innovation and creative output by ensuring that creators reap the benefits of their inventions or works and they may take the form of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, or geographical indications. U.S. industries that rely on IPR contribute significantly to U.S. economic growth, employment, and trade with other countries. Counterfeiting and piracy in other countries may result in the loss of billions of dollars of revenue for U.S. firms as well as the loss of jobs.”
Daniella Markheim & Caroline Walsh
A Safe and Bountiful Harvest: How to Ensure America's Food Safety
The Heritage Foundation - Backgrounder #2096 - January 10, 2008 – 8 pages
http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/upload/bg_2096.pdf
http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/bg2096.cfm
“Recent food scares have increased public scrutiny of and debate about the effectiveness of America’s food safety system. With U.S. households and businesses expected to demand more and more food imports, most of the new ideas focus on ensuring that the system has the capacity to monitor and protect families from an influx of foreign food. Yet a review of past product recalls clearly demonstrates that policymakers need to be mindful that Americans are just as likely to be harmed by products made in the United States.”
