President Bush signs America Competes Act

Last month, President Bush signed into law the "America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act." Both the House and Senate then passed the America Competes Act, following months of negotiations.

The Act (H.R. 2272), also known as America Competes, aims to strengthen U.S. innovation and competitiveness through investments in technology development and education.

The legislation establishes several new federal programs to encourage innovation and commercialization. The existing Advanced Technology Program (ATP) will be replaced by the new NIST Technology Innovation Program (TIP), which will provide competitive grants to small- and medium-size businesses commercializing new technology. Over three years, up to $3 million may be awarded to small companies, while joint ventures may be eligible for $9 million over five years.

After the legislation was signed, ASME President Sam Y. Zamrik released a statement applauding both chambers of Congress and the administration for agreeing to this landmark legislation, stating, "Funding increases are a vital investment in the future prosperity and security of our nation, and your support for fundamental research at the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy Office of Science, and National Institute of Standards and Technology — as well as math and science education programs — puts us on the right path."

America Competes will keep research programs at the NSF, NIST, and DOE Office of Science on a near-term doubling path. The bill also authorizes $33.6 billion over fiscal years 2008 through 2010 for research and education programs across the federal government. Many of the provisions in the legislation are based upon the recommendations in the 2005 National Academies report, "Rising above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future."

The legislation also creates an independent branch of the DOE called the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E), which is modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA) and will address short- and long-term research goals for America's energy policy. Other stated goals for ARPA-E include decreasing foreign energy dependency, reducing energy emissions, and improving energy efficiency.

Zamrik's letter of support to Congressional leaders is available at www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/GovRelations/
PositionStatements. President Bush's remarks on the American Competitiveness Initiative can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/
20070809-1.html.

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