Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/4033

 124 STAT. 4007 PUBLIC LAW 111–358—JAN. 4, 2011 SEC. 505. NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING STATIS- TICS. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the Founda- tion a National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics that shall serve as a central Federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of objective data on science, engineering, technology, and research and development. (b) DUTIES.—In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Director, acting through the Center shall— (1) collect, acquire, analyze, report, and disseminate statis- tical data related to the science and engineering enterprise in the United States and other nations that is relevant and useful to practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the public, including statistical data on— (A) research and development trends; (B) the science and engineering workforce; (C) United States competitiveness in science, engineering, technology, and research and development; and (D) the condition and progress of United States STEM education; (2) support research using the data it collects, and on methodologies in areas related to the work of the Center; and (3) support the education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale, nationally representative data sets. (c) STATISTICAL REPORTS.—The Director or the National Science Board, acting through the Center, shall issue regular, and as nec- essary, special statistical reports on topics related to the national and international science and engineering enterprise such as the biennial report required by section 4(j)(1) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(j)(1)) on indicators of the state of science and engineering in the United States. SEC. 506. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION MANUFACTURING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. (a) MANUFACTURING RESEARCH.—The Director shall carry out a program to award merit-reviewed, competitive grants to institu- tions of higher education to support fundamental research leading to transformative advances in manufacturing technologies, proc- esses, and enterprises that will support United States manufac- turing through improved performance, productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness. Research areas may include— (1) nanomanufacturing; (2) manufacturing and construction machines and equip- ment, including robotics, automation, and other intelligent sys- tems; (3) manufacturing enterprise systems; (4) advanced sensing and control techniques; (5) materials processing; and (6) information technologies for manufacturing, including predictive and real-time models and simulations, and virtual manufacturing. (b) MANUFACTURING EDUCATION.—In order to help ensure a well-trained manufacturing workforce, the Director shall award grants to strengthen and expand scientific and technical education and training in advanced manufacturing, including through the Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program. Grants. 42 USC 1862p–1. Reports. Public information. 42 USC 1862p.