WASHINGTON NEWS

FROM THE FEDERATION OF MATERIALS SOCIETIES

MAY 7, 2004 

NSF RELEASES S&E INDICATORS 2004

The biennial report of the National Science Board of the National Science Foundation includes in its newest edition a state-by-state breakdown of two dozen science and technology indicators.  The state statistics in S&E Indicators 2004 focus on secondary and higher education, the S&E workforce, research and development spending, R&D outputs (such as doctoral degrees, patents and academic articles), and the high-tech economy.  In 2000, the most recent year for which complete data were available, the 20 highest-ranking states continue to account for 87 percent of R&D expenditures, while the 20 lowest-ranking states account for only 4 percent.  The new state indicators demonstrate that R&D expenditures do not necessarily reflect a state’s ranking on other indicators, such as 8^th-grade educational performance, bachelor’s degrees conferred, patents awarded, federal R&D spending share, or share of high-tech businesses.  College graduates are more likely to be found in states with strong federal and industry R&D investments or strong high-tech economies.  A wide gap separates the top states for industrial R&D investment from those at the bottom.  Similarly skewed distributions appear among rankings for federal R&D spending.

Access the full report and ratings through http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind04

STATISTICS ON FEDERAL R&D, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING DEGREES

The National Science Foundation also has released Volume 51 of Federal Funds for Research and Development, covering fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003.  The data presented in this report were derived from the Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development, and accuracy of the data depends in part on the federal respondents to the survey.  The R&D obligation data are categorized according to character of the work (basic research, applied research, and development), performer, field of science or engineering (for research but not for development), and federal R&D funding by state.  Obligations for research performance at universities and colleges by fields of science or engineering are also shown, as are R&D plant data.  The report is available at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf04310/pdf

Another NSF report contains data on S&E Degrees 1966-2001.  Of particular interest is Section C, “Classification of Programs.”  The authors note that “It is difficult to establish a completely consistent series of degree data over a long period of time because of changes in definitions, instructions, and field classifications, including the introduction of new specialties.” The report is available at http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/nsf04311/start.htm

DOE REORGANIZES OFFICE OF SCIENCE

The Department of Energy’s Office of Science (SC) has been reorganized to “take (it) into the 21^st century as an efficient, high-performing organization that continues to produce great science and real benefits for the American people,” according to SC Director Raymond L. Orbach.  The new structure eliminates a layer of management, redefines roles and responsibilities for headquarters and field managers and clarifies lines of authority and accountability.  Office of Science policy and direction as well as scientific program development and management will be a headquarters responsibility, while program execution and implementation functions will be the responsibility of the Field, including the National Laboratory Site Offices and the Oak Ridge and Chicago Offices.  The restructuring does not require relocation of staff, and DOE expects no involuntary separations or reductions-in-force during either restructuring or subsequent reengineering, assuming Congressional funding of Administration budget requests.  Further details are available at http://www.secrestruct.doe.gov/indexrollout.html

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR MATH & SCIENCE EDUCATION

By a vote of 411-7, the House has passed legislation designed to recognize and encourage contributions of the private sector in math and science education by establishing a Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education.    The bill, sponsored by retiring House Science Subcommittee on Research Chairman Nick Smith (R-MI), establishes the program at the National Science Foundation.  It is patterned after the Baldrige Awards given annually by the Commerce Department to recognize innovative practices by private sector companies and organizations.  The new Congressional Medal will recognize businesses and other private-sector entities that display an outstanding commitment to math and science education.  NSF will publicize information regarding award winners to encourage the replication of best or promising practices.  The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

CONGRESS APPROVES ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR STANDARDS DEVELOPERS

The Senate has passed legislation approved in slightly different form last year by the House which would amend the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984 to limit recovery of antitrust damages against standards development organizations (SDOs).  As the federal government has increased its reliance on voluntary standards, individuals and organizations taking issue with those standards and their enforcement have discovered they can more easily sue the SDOs which developed the standards rather than challenge the government decision through regulatory or legal channels.  Congress now is recognizing that the threat of treble damages and the cost of defending against antitrust suits pose a threat to voluntary standards development.