May 8, 2013 Honorable Lamar Smith Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson Chairman Ranking Member Committee on Science and Technology Committee on Science and Technology House of Representatives House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Johnson: We are aware of

Guiding Principles for the America COMPETES Act Reauthorization The business, higher education, and scientific and engineering communities greatly appreciate efforts by the Congress and the current and past Administrations to respond to issues raised in the National Academies’ 2007 report, Rising Above the Gathering St

 As representatives of U.S. science, engineering, and higher education organizations, we write to you in strong support for the federal research and development budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF), and its mission—created over 60 years ago—to advance research across a broad spectrum of disciplines, research that has fueled American economic growth for decades

Dear Senator:

I write on behalf of the higher education associations listed below to express our strong support for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and to oppose any efforts to reduce NSF funding below the level currently proposed in S. 2323, the Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) appropriations bill for fiscal year 2013. In particular, we strongly oppose any effort to prohibit NSF from funding the political science program as part of a comprehensive national science agenda.

 AAU Advocacy One-Pager for the National Science Foundation FY13 Budget

As representatives of U.S. science, engineering, and higher education organizations, we write to you in strong support for the federal research and development budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF), and its mission—created over 60 years ago—to advance research across a broad spectrum of disciplines, research that has fueled American economic growth for decades.

 

The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) thanks Congress for its past support of the National Science Foundation (NSF). We recognize that Congress is facing difficult decisions with respect to our national fiscal health. As discussions on FY 2012 appropriations begin, we encourage Members of Congress to make continued federal funding for NSF a priority. Robust federal support for NSF, the cornerstone of America’s research enterprise, is absolutely critical to the nation’s economic health and global competitiveness.

 

 AAU issues a statement in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in follow-up to a report critical of the agency released on May 26 by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK).

AAU President Robert Berdahl thanks the President for his leadership and efforts to sustain strong federal investments in scientific research and student aid, particularly in maintaining the Pell Grant maximum award, in the final FY11 spending measure.

April 4, 2011 Honorable John Boehner Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker Democratic Leader U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives H-232 The Capitol H-204 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Honorable Eric Cantor Majority Leader U.S. House of Representatives H-329 The Capitol Washington

 A group of businesses and business associations sent a letter to leaders of the Senate on March 9 urging them to give funding priority in the FY11 continuing resolution to physical science and engineering research and STEM education.

Dear Chairman Mollohan and Ranking Member Wolf: We are writing to thank you for your consistent support for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and to urge you to continue that support in the fiscal year 201 1 (FY 11) appropriations bill. We ask that you uphold the Administration's FY 1 1 funding level request of $7.424 billion for the National Science Foundation.

This increase of $551.8 million, or 8 percent, over FY10 funding will allow NSF to sustain and expand its vital research and education programs. The request supports the bipartisan commitment made by the Administration and Congress to significantly increase funding for basic scientific research over the next several years.

Basic research, which depends on federal funding, produces fundamental knowledge that frequently leads to major technological advances. The discoveries resulting from federal funding of basic research in the physical sciences and engineering have strengthened national security, improved health care, advanced alternative energy and efficiency technologies, and fueled economic growth.

Whereas the Administration is committed to formulate, fund, and implement a comprehensive plan to address our nation’s short- and long-term energy needs in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner; and
Whereas the Administration has committed to invest $150 billion in research and development for new sources of energy over the next ten years to enable American engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to “catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future” and “transform the economy,” creating five million new jobs; and

Dear Ms. Tamashiro: The Association of American Universities (AAU) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the draft report released by the National Science Board titled “Building a Sustainable Energy Future” (NSB-09-35).
AAU represents 60 leading U.S. public and private research universities and is devoted to maintaining a strong national system of academic research and education. Our institutions conduct over half of all federally sponsored university-based research and nationally award approximately 17 percent of all U.S. bachelor’s degrees, 20 percent of master’s degrees and more than 50 percent of all doctoral degrees. As you might expect, our universities have a significant interest in advancing energy research and training to help address our nation’s energy challenges.

Dear Ms. Richards: On behalf of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), please find attached our response to the August 6, 2008 Federal Register Notice request for comments on the use of cost sharing in National Science Foundation-funded activities.

The year after Sputnik

Dear Representative: This evening, the House will begin consideration of the National Science Foundation (NSF) reauthorization bill (H.R. 1867). The NSF plays a critical role in advancing university-based fundamental research as well as science, engineering and math education at all levels. I am writing to ask that you oppose several expected amendments to H.R. 1867.

Dear Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall: As representatives of the leading public and private research universities in the nation, the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) write concerning two bills the House Science and Technology Committee will consider tomorrow, the “National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007” (H.R. 1867) and the “Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007” (H.R. 1868). AAU and NASULGC believe that both bills contain provisions essential to advancing the national innovation and competitiveness agenda, for which broad based bipartisan support has been expressed in Congress.

Appropriations Table

Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you very much for the steps you took to ensure passage of H.R. 4664, the National Science Foundation Authorization Act, in the closing days of the 107th Congress. This legislation was a high priority for the academic and scientific communities, and we are very pleased that it passed before Congress adjourned

Dear Senator Akaka: As the Senate reconvenes for its post-election session, we hope that you can assist in winning final passage of H.R. 4664/S. 2817, a bill to reauthorize the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter presents the views of the National Science Foundation on S. 2817, the National Science Foundation Doubling Act, a five-year authorization bill covering fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

Dear Mr. Chairman, On behalf of the Association of American Universities, I am writing to express support for passage of a National Science Foundation authorization bill this year. As you know, H.R. 4664 passed the House of Representatives last week. We hope the Senate can pass related legislation as promptly as possible, and we appreciate your efforts to make that happen.

Dear Mr. Chairman, On behalf of the Association of American Universities, thank you for successfully steering H.R. 4664 through the House of Representatives. We strongly support this bill. Your leadership on behalf of the research and education supported by the National Science Foundation has been extremely important. We are also very appreciative of the support shown by your many co-sponsors on this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: My name is Dan Mote, and I am president of the University of Maryland, College Park, the flagship institution of the State of Maryland. I appreciate very much this opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee. I am speaking to you today as the president of a preeminent institution that has built its reputation of distinguished achievement on the impact of its research. I am also speaking as a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASUGLC), which together include universities in each of the 50 states that receive significant support from the National Science Foundation.