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Government Watch

On Tuesday, February 17, 2009 the New Administration signed into law the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which the president signed at the Museum of Nature and Science in Denver and contains billions of dollars in funding for science including, among other programs:

• $2.5 billion for the National Science Foundation for research and related activities, and $400 million for construction of major research equipment and facilities
• $16.8 billion to the Department of Energy for energy efficiency and renewable energy including $4.5 billion to modernize the electrical grid, $400 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, and $1.6 billion for science.
• $400 million to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for science.
• And $230 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for "operations research and facilities." Detailed list of spending.

The agenda of the House Committee on Science and Technology of the 111th Congress provides greater detail on the key issues, including nanotechnology initiatives that this funding will begin to address.

In making his remarks before signing the bill into law, President Obama said, "Just as President Kennedy sparked an explosion of innovation when he set America's sights on the moon, I hope this investment will ignite our imagination once more, spurring new discoveries and breakthroughs that will make our economy stronger, our nation more secure, and our planet safer for our children."

The Nanotechnology Research Foundation looks forward to the opportunity this legislation offers to participate in making President Obama's vision a reality. Because of the diligent efforts of our great volunteers, we are well positioned to take a leadership role in the scientific journey about to begin. Many thanks to all of you for your hard work and your tremendous support.  

The America Competes Act focuses on three primary areas of importance to maintaining and improving United States' innovation in the 21st Century:

• Increasing research investment
• Strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from elementary through graduate school
• Developing an innovation infrastructure

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Government Departments and Agencies

Federal agencies that participate in the National Nanotechnology Initiative under the auspices of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council.