Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 116 Part 4.djvu/607

 PUBLIC LAW 107-368—DEC. 19, 2002 116 STAT. 3035 (7) Commercial application of the results of Federal investment in basic and computing science is consistent with longstanding United States technology transfer policy and is a critical national priority, particularly with regard to cybersecurity and other homeland security applications, because of the urgent needs of commercial, academic, and individual users as well as the Federal and State Governments. SEC. 3. POLICY OBJECTIVES. In allocating resources made available under section 5, the Foundation shall have the following policy objectives: (1) To strengthen the Nation's lead in science and technology by— (A) increasing the national investment in general scientific research and increasing investment in strategic areas; (B) balancing the Nation's research portfolio among the life sciences, mathematics, the physical sciences, computer and information science, geoscience, engineering, and social, behavioral, and economic sciences, all of which are important for the continued development of enabling technologies necessary for sustained international competitiveness; (C) expanding the pool of scientists and engineers in the United States; (D) modernizing the Nation's research infrastructure; and (E) establishing and maintaining cooperative international relationships with premier research institutions, with the goal of such relationships being the exchange of personnel, data, and information in an effort to alleviate problems common to the global community. (2) To increase overall workforce skills by— (A) improving the quality of mathematics and science education, particularly in kindergarten through grade 12; (B) promoting access to information technology for all students; (C) raising postsecondary enrollment rates in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology disciplines for individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b); (D) increasing access to higher education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology fields for students from low-income households; and (E) expanding science, mathematics, engineering, and technology training opportunities at institutions of higher education. (3) To strengthen innovation by expanding the focus of competitiveness and innovation policy at the regional and local level. SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 42 USC 1862n In this Act: (1) ACADEMIC UNIT.— The term "academic unit" means a department, division, institute, school, college, or other subcomponent of an institution of higher education.

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