September 2021
On August 27, the White House Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy released a memorandum to federal agencies to provide guidance on Multi-Agency Research and Development Priorities for the FY 2023 Budget.
The memorandum highlights five themes that the White House is encouraging agencies to address in their budget proposals:
Regarding the innovation for equity priority, The White House noted: “Federal agencies should prioritize R&D investments in programs with strong potential to advance equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically disadvantaged, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” The priority on innovation for equity contains several areas that federal agencies should consider as part of their proposals: open science and participatory forms of research; data infrastructure, including data linkages and interoperable systems, to measure and promote equity; and diversity and equity in the researcher workforce.
Along with the five priorities, the memorandum contains guidance on STEM education and engagement. The White House is encouraging agencies to be involved in a new initiative, Models of Equitable STEM Excellence, featuring large-scale practices that have been successful in increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion while reducing barriers in STEM. The guidance also encourages federal agencies to focus on new efforts to engage underrepresented groups in STEM education, including through informal educational settings.
“We applaud OMB and OSTP for highlighting the use of research and innovation in the FY 2023 R&D priorities to measure and promote equitable outcomes, including in STEM education,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine.