CHIPS and Science Act, Reauthorizing NSF, Signed into Law
CHIPS and Science Act, Reauthorizing NSF, Signed into Law
 
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August 2022

On August 9, President Joe Biden signed into law the CHIPs and Science Act. As earlier reported in a July AERA Highlights story, the law supports domestic production of semiconductors, along with science provisions that include reauthorization for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Key items to support NSF’s work in advancing research and innovation in the final legislation include:

  • Authorization for a range of activities that would support the conduct and dissemination of STEM education research on pre-K–12 through graduate education
  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Decadal Survey of STEM Education Research in pre-K–12 education
  • Funding for research on STEM education and workforce needs
  • Grants focused on research on the graduate education system and outcomes of various interventions and policies
  • Graduate education funding study that would examine the role NSF has had in supporting graduate student education
  • Topics for new data fields in National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) surveys, such as the skilled technical workforce, working conditions and work-life balance, and harassment and discrimination

After the Senate advanced the legislation by a 64–33 vote on July 27, the House passed the bill on a 243–187 vote on July 28. President Biden applauded the passage of the legislation in an August 2 speech.

For NSF, the CHIPS and Science Act provides an overall authorization of $81 billion over five years, with $61 billion for core NSF activities and $20 billion for the new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate.

The CHIPS and Science Act also includes several provisions within NSF to advance research in STEM education and promote broadening participation in STEM education and the STEM workforce.

“We are very pleased with the commitment of Congress and this administration to advancing the U.S. scientific enterprise through this bill,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “We applaud the attention to the importance of STEM education and the role of federal agencies such as NSF in developing STEM talent.”