[Federal Register: August 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 151)]
[Notices]
[Page 46631-46632]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06au03-86]
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OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Research
Business Models
ACTION: Request for information regarding National Science and
Technology Council/Committee on Science/Subcommittee on Research
Business Models.
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SUMMARY: The Subcommittee on Research Business Models is undertaking a
review of policies, procedures, and plans relating to the business
relationship between federal agencies and research performers with the
goal of improving the performance and management of federally sponsored
basic and applied scientific and engineering research. As part of that
effort, the Subcommittee will hold a series of regional workshops in
the Fall of 2003 to solicit input and feedback from the research
performer community. This notice is intended to collect data that will
assist the Subcommittee in setting agendas for those regional
workshops.
DATES: Submit comments on or before September 22, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Due to potential delays in OSTP's receipt and processing of
mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we encourage respondents to
submit comments electronically to ensure timely receipt. We cannot
guarantee that comments sent via surface mail will be received before
the comment closing date.
Electronic comments may be submitted to: nstc_rbm@ostp.eop.gov.
Please include in the subject line the words ``NSTC Research Business
Models Comments'' and a reference to the relevant items, enumerated
below as A-J. Please put the full body of your comments in the text of
the electronic message and as an attachment. Be certain to include your
name, title, organization, postal address, telephone number, and E-mail
address in the text of the message.
Comments may be mailed to Michael J. Holland; Office of Science &
Technology Policy; 1650 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20502.
But again, we strongly encourage respondents to submit comments
electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Notice,
please call Michael Holland, Office of Science & Technology Policy,
(202) 456-6069 (direct) and e-mail: mholland@ostp.eop.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This notice requests data and specific examples from the general
public and all interested parties regarding the activities of the
Subcommittee on Research Business Models chartered under the Committee
on Science of the National Science and Technology Council. The
Committee on Science realizes that much has changed about the practice
of scientific research over the last several years. The purpose of the
Subcommittee on Research Business Models is to advise and assist the
Committee on Science and the NSTC on policies, procedures, and plans
relating to business models to improve the efficiency, effectiveness
and accountability of the Federal research and development enterprise
in a manner cognizant of currently available resources. The
Subcommittee will
[sbull] Facilitate a strong, coordinated effort across federal
agencies to identify and address important policy implications arising
from the changing nature of basic and applied research.
[sbull] Examine the concomitant influence these changes have had or
should have on business models and business practices for the conduct
of basic and applied research sponsored by the Federal government and
carried out by academic, industrial, and government entities.
[sbull] Review the challenges to improved performance and
mechanisms for more transparent accountability of the research
enterprise.
The membership of the Subcommittee includes representatives from
fifteen Federal departments and agencies that support or are engaged in
research activities. The Subcommittee on Research Business Models will
consult and coordinate with other ongoing, relevant efforts including,
but not limited to, those of the Interagency Electronic Grants
Committee (IAEGC) and the CFO Grants Management Council (GMC) Public
Law 106-107 Workgroups.
Request for Information
In order to assist the public in its response, the Subcommittee has
identified the following areas in which they would like to receive
comments, including how changes in these areas have impacted research
costs. However, the Subcommittee welcomes comments and suggestions in
other areas that may not be included in the following questions.
A. Accountability. What constitutes accountability for the
Federally-supported research enterprise? How can performers best
demonstrate results or return on Federal research investments? Please
suggest mechanisms whereby research managers can more transparently
demonstrate responsible use of public resources.
B. Inconsistency of policies and practices among Federal agencies.
Can you identify specific Federal policies and practices that if
simplified would improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the
research enterprise? Can the impact of inconsistent policies and
practices among Federal agencies on the research environment be
quantified? Among the variations in policies and practices, which
practices appear to be the best? Why?
C. Inconsistency of policies and practices among universities. Can
you identify specific university policies and practices that if
simplified would improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the
research enterprise?
D. State and Institutional requirements. What is the prevalence and
impact of state and institutional requirements that are added to
Federal requirements for research funding?
E. Regulatory requirements. Is there a more efficient approach to
meeting the intent of the current suite of administrative requirements
and regulations? Please provide examples.
F. Research support. How can public funding mechanisms and policies
encourage or discourage innovative approaches to research? Does the
current process for research funding
[[Page 46632]]
encourage or discourage innovative research? How do support mechanisms
influence the mix of investigators supported (e.g., principal
investigators, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate
students, or technicians)? How can changes in the conduct of science
and engineering necessitate modified funding models? Are data available
to help decide these questions?
G. Multidisciplinary/collaborative research. Are any funding
organizations, either inside or outside of government, employing
funding mechanisms or strategies that are particularly effective in
encouraging multidisciplinary work, collaborative activities, and other
innovative approaches? Are there any data available relevant to these
questions?
H. Research Infrastructure. What information is available to
examine policies at the Federal, State, local or institutional level
that affect research infrastructure and the costs of building,
maintaining and/or operating the research infrastructure' What factors
influence performers' investments in research infrastructure? What data
are available to demonstrate that? What information is available on the
mix of sources used to finance research infrastructure?
I. Information Technology. How has information technology impacted
the efficiency, performance, or costs of research management? Are there
data to demonstrate any effect?
J. Technology transfer optimization. Are data available to examine
whether intellectual property and patent agreements have changed
relationships among universities, industry, and the government?
Authority
The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) was established
under Executive Order 12881 on November 23, 1993, and subsequently
reestablished by President Bush. The Committee on Science is chartered
under the NSTC. The purpose of the Committee on Science is to advise
and assist the NSTC, with emphasis on those federally supported efforts
that develop new knowledge in the sciences mathematics, and
engineering.
Kathie L. Olsen,
Associated Director.
[FR Doc. 03-19935 Filed 8-5-03; 8:45 am]
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