Two science agencies coordinate research—but Congress won't fund it yet
H.R. 1350 — DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act · Filed by Haley Stevens (D-MI) · 2 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 13, 2025 · Passed chamber
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What it does
This bill directs the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation to coordinate research and development activities through a memorandum of understanding, focusing on joint priorities in areas like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, fusion energy, and advanced manufacturing. The bill establishes a competitive, merit-reviewed process open to federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, nonprofits, and other entities, and requires a report to Congress within two years on coordination achievements and future opportunities.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is establishing a memorandum of understanding and competitive process between DOE and NSF for joint R&D activities. It is fundamentally a coordination and governance instrument, not a funding authorization or appropriation.
What the text implies
- The bill does not appropriate funds; it creates a coordination framework. Actual research funding depends on separate appropriations, meaning the bill's impact is contingent on Congress funding the coordinated activities.
- The competitive, merit-reviewed process may shift research priorities toward areas jointly prioritized by DOE and NSF leadership, potentially deprioritizing research areas favored by one agency alone.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
institutions of higher education; nonprofit research institutions; national laboratories