Summary:
Department of Energy Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act of 2014 - Title I: Innovation Management At Department of Energy - (Sec. 101) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to rename the Under Secretary for Science as the Under Secretary for Science and Energy and expand the functions of the position to include establishment of appropriate linkages between offices under such official's jurisdiction.

(Sec. 102) Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) report on its ability to improve the technology transfer and commercialization of energy technologies, including an assessment of the role and effectiveness of the Technology Transfer Coordinator position; and (2) recommend changes to improve the ability to successfully transfer new energy technologies to the private sector.

(Sec. 103) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the development of a coordinated strategy for DOE nonmilitary national laboratories in the 21st century.

Title II: Cross-Sector Partnerships and Grant Competitiveness - (Sec. 201) Directs DOE to carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program in accordance with this Act, including by giving the contractors of the DOE nonmilitary national laboratories (national laboratories) increased authority to negotiate contract terms and making every such facility eligible for the program.

Permits the directors of the national laboratories to execute agreements with non-federal entities, provided that such funding is only used to carry out the purposes of the federal award. Subjects agreements that are funding agreements to the requirements of the Bayh-Dole Act (concerning patent rights to inventions arising from federally-supported research and development).

 Imposes contractor certification requirements for the avoidance of direct competition with the private sector and conflicts of interest.

Extends the pilot program for two years.

Requires DOE to report to Congress on the overall effectiveness of the pilot program and to annually account for, and justify, incidences of use by non-federal entities of funds derived from a federal contract or award to carry out agreements pursuant to the pilot program.

(Sec. 202) Requires the Secretary of Energy to delegate to the directors of the national laboratories signature authority with respect to certain agreements the total cost of which is less than $1 million.

(Sec. 203) Permits the directors of national laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and pre-commercial technology demonstration activities to: (1) remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest, and (2) demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from national laboratory activities.

(Sec. 204) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions from the cost-sharing requirements for research and development for six years.

(Sec. 205) Authorizes DOE to enter into an agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enable the participation of DOE researchers in the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program.

Title III: Assessment of Impact - (Sec. 301) Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act and on DOE efforts to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the national laboratories.

technology transfer act title innovation management sec amends department_of_energy_organization_act rename secretary science secretary science_and_energy expand functions position include establishment appropriate linkages offices official jurisdiction sec directs department_of_energy doe report ability improve technology transfer commercialization energy technologies including assessment role effectiveness position recommend changes improve ability successfully transfer new energy technologies private sector sec expresses sense congress development coordinated strategy doe nonmilitary national laboratories 21st century title cross sector partnerships sec directs doe carry pilot program accordance act including giving contractors doe nonmilitary national laboratories national laboratories increased authority negotiate contract terms making facility eligible program permits directors national laboratories execute agreements non federal entities provided funding carry purposes federal award subjects agreements funding agreements requirements dole act concerning patent rights inventions arising federally supported research development imposes contractor certification requirements avoidance direct competition private sector conflicts interest extends pilot program years requires doe report congress overall effectiveness pilot program annually account justify incidences use non federal entities funds derived federal contract award carry agreements pursuant pilot program sec requires secretary energy delegate directors national laboratories signature authority respect certain agreements total cost million sec permits directors national laboratories use funds authorized support technology transfer doe carry early stage pre commercial technology demonstration activities remove technology barriers limit private sector interest demonstrate potential commercial applications research technologies arising national laboratory activities sec amends energy policy act exempt institutions higher education nonprofit institutions cost sharing requirements research development years sec authorizes doe enter agreement national_science_foundation nsf enable participation doe researchers program title iii assessment impact sec requires government accountability office gao report congress results projects developed act doe efforts promote technology transfer private sector engagement national laboratories


Summary:
Next Generation Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Next Generation of Research Initiative in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate NIH policies and programs aimed at promoting and providing opportunities for new researchers.

Requires the NIH to: (1) promote policies and programs to improve opportunities for new researchers; (2) develop or modify policies, as needed, including to strengthen mentorship programs and enhance diversity efforts; and (3) request the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study and report on policies affecting the next generation of researchers as part of a study on biomedical and behavioral research personnel.

generation research act amends public_health_service_act establish national_institutes_of_health nih coordinate nih policies programs aimed promoting providing opportunities new researchers requires nih promote policies programs improve opportunities new researchers develop modify policies needed including strengthen mentorship programs enhance diversity efforts request national_academy_of_sciences conduct comprehensive study report policies affecting generation researchers study biomedical behavioral research personnel


Summary: Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act - Amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to authorize the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support entrepreneurial programs that recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world.

promoting women entrepreneurship act amends science engineering equal opportunities act authorize national_science_foundation nsf support entrepreneurial programs recruit support women extend focus laboratory commercial world


Summary:
Violent Content Research Act of 2013 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS), jointly, to undertake to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of whether exposure to violent video games and programming has a harmful effect on children that is distinguishable from any other factors.

Requires such study and investigation to consider whether: (1) such exposure causes children to act aggressively or causes other measurable harm to children, has a disproportionately harmful effect on the behavior of children already prone to aggression or on the behavior of other identifiable groups of children, and has a harmful effect that is distinguishable from other types of media; (2) any identified harm has a direct and long-lasting impact on a child's well-being; and (3) current or emerging characteristics of violent video games have a uniquely harmful effect on the behavior of children, considering video games' concretely interactive nature.

Requires an identification of gaps in current research which, if closed, could provide information regarding any causal connection between such exposure and children's behavior.

Requires such agencies, in entering into any such arrangements, to request the NAS to report the results to Congress, FTC, FCC, and HSS.

violent content research act directs federal_trade_commission ftc federal_communications_commission fcc department_of_health_and_human_services jointly undertake enter appropriate arrangements national_academy_of_sciences nas conduct comprehensive study investigation exposure violent video games programming harmful effect children factors requires study investigation consider exposure causes children act causes measurable harm children disproportionately harmful effect behavior children prone aggression behavior identifiable groups children harmful effect types media identified harm direct long lasting impact child current emerging characteristics violent video games uniquely harmful effect behavior children considering video games interactive nature requires identification gaps current research closed provide information connection exposure children behavior requires agencies entering arrangements request nas report results congress ftc fcc


Summary:
Federal Data Center Consolidation Act of 2013 - Requires the heads of specified federal agencies, assisted by their chief information officers, to submit to the Administrator for the Office of E-Government and Information Technology of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) each fiscal year: (1) a comprehensive inventory of data centers owned, operated, or maintained by each such agency; and (2) a multi-year strategy to achieve the consolidation and optimization of such data centers that includes performance metrics, a timeline for agency activities to be completed under the OMB Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI), and year-by-year calculations of investments and cost savings.

Provides that for any year that the Department of Defense (DOD) is required to submit a performance plan for the reduction of resources required for data servers and centers, DOD: (1) may submit to the Administrator, in lieu of the multi-year strategy, the defense-wide plan and report on cost savings required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012; and (2) shall submit the comprehensive inventory required by this Act unless the defense-wide plan contains a comparable comprehensive inventory.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish deadlines for annual reporting and requirements such agencies must meet to be considered in compliance with this Act, (2) develop and make publicly available a goal for the amount of planned cost savings and optimization improvements achieved through the FDCCI during a specified period, (3) aggregate the reported cost savings of each agency and optimization improvements achieved to date through the FDCCI and compare such savings to the projected cost savings and optimization improvements achieved through the FDCCI, and (4) report to Congress. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to review and verify the quality and completeness of the asset inventory and strategy of each agency and report to Congress.

Requires such agencies to implement their data center consolidation and optimization strategies consistent with federal guidelines on cloud computing security, including: (1) applicable provisions in the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), and (2) guidance published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Authorizes the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Secretary of Defense to waive the applicability of any provision of this Act to any national security system if such waiver is in the interest of national security. Requires the Director or the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a statement describing the waiver and the reasons for it.

Repeals this Act effective on October 1, 2018.

requires heads specified federal agencies assisted chief information officers submit administrator omb fiscal year comprehensive inventory data centers owned operated maintained agency multi year strategy achieve consolidation optimization data centers includes performance metrics timeline agency activities completed omb year year calculations investments cost savings provides year department_of_defense dod required submit performance plan reduction resources required data servers centers dod submit administrator lieu multi year strategy defense wide plan report cost savings required national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year shall submit comprehensive inventory required act defense wide plan contains comparable comprehensive inventory requires administrator establish deadlines annual reporting requirements agencies meet considered compliance act develop publicly available goal planned cost savings optimization improvements achieved specified period aggregate reported cost savings agency optimization improvements achieved date compare savings projected cost savings optimization improvements achieved report congress directs comptroller_general gao review verify quality completeness asset inventory strategy agency report congress requires agencies implement data center consolidation optimization strategies consistent federal guidelines cloud computing security including applicable provisions guidance published national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist authorizes director national_intelligence dni secretary defense waive applicability provision act national security system waiver interest national security requires director secretary submit specified congressional committees statement describing waiver reasons repeals act effective october


Summary:
America Implementing New National Opportunities To Vigorously Accelerate Technology, Energy, and Science Act or America INNOVATES Act - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to: (1) rename the position of the Under Secretary for Science the Under Secretary for Science and Energy, and (2) require the Under Secretary to establish appropriate linkages between offices under his or her jurisdiction and perform functions and duties prescribed by the Secretary of Energy (DOE).

Directs the Secretary to ensure that the following duties and responsibilities are carried out through one or more appropriate statutory or administrative entities: (1) evaluation, coordination, and promotion of the transfer of National Laboratory research and development (R&D) results to the market in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Coordinator; (2) recommendations to the Secretary of best practices for the National Laboratories; and (3) implementation of other appropriate duties to improve National Laboratory operations and performance.

Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the development of a coordinated strategy for the national laboratories in the 21st century.

Directs the Secretary to carry out the three-year DOE pilot program under the Agreements for Commercializing Technology.

Requires each agreement entered into under the pilot program to increase the authority of the contractor of the applicable National Laboratory to negotiate contract terms, such as intellectual property rights, indemnification, payment structures, performance guarantees, and multiparty collaborations.

Directs the Secretary to delegate to the directors of the National Laboratories signature authority with respect to any cooperative R&D agreement, non-federal work-for-others agreement, or any other appropriate agreement, the total cost of which (including National Laboratory contributions and project recipient cost share) is less than $1 million.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to permit the directors of the National Laboratories to use funds allocated for technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and pre-commercial technology demonstration activities to remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest and demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from National Laboratory activities intended to meet the federal government's research needs.

Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Secretary to inform small business concerns seeking funding under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs about resources available to them at National Laboratories and federally funded R&D centers.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt any activity performed by an institution of higher education or nonprofit institution from the requirement that at least 20% of the cost of a research or development activity be provided by a non-federal source.

Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act.

america act amends department_of_energy_organization_act rename position secretary science secretary science_and_energy require secretary establish appropriate linkages offices jurisdiction perform functions duties prescribed secretary energy doe directs secretary ensure following duties responsibilities carried appropriate statutory administrative entities evaluation coordination promotion transfer national_laboratory research development results market collaboration recommendations secretary best practices national_laboratories implementation appropriate duties improve national_laboratory operations performance expresses sense senate development coordinated strategy national laboratories 21st century directs secretary carry year doe pilot program requires agreement entered pilot program increase authority contractor applicable national_laboratory negotiate contract terms intellectual property rights indemnification payment structures performance guarantees multiparty collaborations directs secretary delegate directors national_laboratories signature authority respect cooperative agreement non federal work agreement appropriate agreement total cost including national_laboratory contributions project recipient cost share million amends energy policy act permit directors national_laboratories use funds allocated technology transfer doe carry early stage pre commercial technology demonstration activities remove technology barriers limit private sector interest demonstrate potential commercial applications research technologies arising national_laboratory activities intended meet federal government research needs amends small business act direct secretary inform small business concerns seeking funding small_business_innovation_research sbir small_business_technology_transfer sttr programs resources available national_laboratories federally funded centers amends energy policy act exempt activity performed institution higher education nonprofit institution requirement cost research development activity provided non federal source requires government accountability office gao report congress results projects developed act


Summary:
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2014 or America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Establishes, revises, and extends specified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, as well as education, research, and training programs.

Amends the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 2010 to revise requirements for updating the five-year STEM education strategic plan and require the Office of Science and Technology Policy to convene a subcommittee on research productivity.

 Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to revise requirements for prize competitions to stimulate innovation.

Establishes requirements for educational and outreach activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Reauthorizes specified National Institute of Standards and Technology programs and amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to modify the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Reauthorizes specified National Science Foundation (NSF) programs and establishes requirements for grants and educational programs. Establishes grants and requirements for specified activities to promote STEM education and teacher training.

Requires the NSF to encourage the development of the Innovation Corps and other training programs that focus on graduate student professional development. Establishes grants for traineeship programs.

Requires the National Science Board to assess metrics for evaluating science and engineering comprehension in grades K-12.

Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to award grants for STEM secondary schools.

Reauthorizes the Department of Commerce's Regional Innovation Program and permits loan guarantees for science park infrastructure.

National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2014 - Amends the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act to revise requirements for management and review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative.

america competes reauthorization act america creating opportunities meaningfully promote excellence technology education establishes revises extends specified science technology engineering mathematics stem programs education research training programs amends america competes reauthorization act revise requirements updating year stem education strategic plan require office_of_science_and_technology_policy convene subcommittee research productivity amends stevenson-wydler_technology innovation act revise requirements prize competitions stimulate innovation establishes requirements educational outreach activities national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration national_institute_of_standards_and_technology reauthorizes specified national_institute_of_standards_and_technology programs amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act modify reauthorizes specified national_science_foundation nsf programs establishes requirements grants educational programs establishes grants requirements specified activities promote stem education teacher training requires nsf encourage development training programs focus graduate student professional development establishes grants traineeship programs requires national_science_board assess metrics evaluating science engineering grades k-12 requires department_of_education doe award grants stem secondary schools permits loan guarantees science park infrastructure national nanotechnology initiative amendments act amends 21st century nanotechnology research development act revise requirements management review


Summary:
Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2014 - Directs the President to establish an interagency Sustainable Chemistry Program to promote and coordinate federal sustainable chemistry research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and training activities.

Directs the President to establish an Interagency Working Group that includes representatives from specified federal agencies to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program.

Requires the Interagency Working Group to establish an Advisory Council on Sustainable Chemistry to make recommendations to it and provide it with advice and assistance.

Requires participating agencies to report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Program activities and appropriations.

Requires the Interagency Working Group to submit a report to Congress, as well as to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Instructs the Interagency Working Group to lead agencies in awarding grants to institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with companies across the value chain in the chemical industry to: (1) create collaborative research, development, demonstration, technology transfer, and commercialization programs; and (2) train students and retrain professional scientists and engineers in the use of sustainable chemistry concepts and strategies.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to contract with the National Research Council to assess the current status of sustainable chemistry research in the United States.

Directs the Interagency Working Group to produce a national strategy for sustainable chemistry that provides a framework for advancing sustainable chemistry research.

directs president establish interagency promote coordinate federal sustainable chemistry research development demonstration technology transfer commercialization education training activities directs president establish interagency_working_group includes representatives specified federal agencies oversee planning management coordination program requires interagency working_group establish recommendations provide advice assistance requires participating agencies report office_of_management_and_budget omb program activities appropriations requires interagency working_group submit report congress government_accountability_office gao instructs interagency_working_group lead agencies awarding grants institutions higher education establish partnerships companies value chain chemical industry create collaborative research development demonstration technology transfer commercialization programs train students retrain professional scientists engineers use sustainable chemistry concepts strategies requires director national_science_foundation nsf contract national_research_council assess current status sustainable chemistry research united_states directs interagency_working_group produce national strategy sustainable chemistry provides framework advancing sustainable chemistry research


Summary:
Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2015

Directs the President to implement a National Engineering Biology Research and Development Program to advance societal well-being, national security, and economic productivity and competitiveness through:

 advancing areas of research at the intersection of the biological, physical, and information sciences and engineering; supporting social science research that advances the field of engineering biology and contributes to the adoption of new products, processes, and technologies; expanding the number of researchers, educators, and students with engineering biology training; accelerating the translation and commercialization of engineering biology research and development by the private sector; and improving the interagency planning and coordination of federal government activities related to engineering biology. Directs the President to designate an interagency committee on engineering biology to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program.

Requires the President to designate an advisory committee on engineering biology research and development to assess the progress being made in implementing the Program.

Directs the National Science Foundation to contract with the National Academies to convene a workshop to review the ethical, legal, environmental, and other appropriate societal issues related to engineering biology research and development.

Requires the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out specified research activities as part of the Program.

engineering biology research development act directs president implement advance societal national security economic productivity competitiveness advancing areas research biological physical information sciences engineering supporting social science research advances field engineering biology contributes adoption new products processes technologies expanding number researchers educators students engineering biology training accelerating translation commercialization engineering biology research development private sector improving interagency planning coordination federal government activities related engineering biology directs president designate interagency committee engineering biology oversee planning management coordination program requires president designate advisory committee engineering biology research development assess progress implementing program directs national_science_foundation contract national academies convene workshop review ethical legal environmental appropriate societal issues related engineering biology research development requires national_science_foundation national_institute_of_standards_and_technology department_of_energy national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa environmental_protection_agency carry specified research activities program


Summary:
Department of Energy Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act of 2015

TITLE I--INNOVATION MANAGEMENT AT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

(Sec. 101) Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) report annually on its ability to improve the technology transfer and commercialization of energy technologies, including an assessment of the role and effectiveness of the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions; and (2) recommend changes to improve the ability to successfully transfer new energy technologies to the private sector.

 (Sec. 102) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOE should encourage the nonmilitary national laboratories (national laboratories) and federally funded research and development centers to inform small businesses of the opportunities and resources that exist pursuant to this Act.

(Sec. 103) Requires DOE to report on its capabilities to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and non-light water reactor prototypes and related demonstration facilities at DOE-owned sites. Instructs DOE, for purposes of such report, to consider DOE's capabilities to facilitate privately-funded prototypes of up to 20 megawatts thermal output.

TITLE II--CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS AND GRANT COMPETITIVENESS

 (Sec. 201) Directs DOE to carry out the Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program in accordance with this Act, including by giving the contractors of the DOE nonmilitary national laboratories increased authority to negotiate contract terms and making every such facility eligible for the program.

Permits the directors of the national laboratories to execute agreements with non-federal entities, provided that such funding is only used to carry out the purposes of the federal award. Subjects agreements that are funding agreements to the requirements of the Bayh-Dole Act (concerning patent rights to inventions arising from federally-supported research and development).

 Imposes contractor certification requirements for the avoidance of direct competition with the private sector and conflicts of interest.

Extends the pilot program until October 31, 2017.

Requires DOE to report to Congress on the overall effectiveness of the pilot program and to annually account for, and justify, incidences of use by non-federal entities of funds derived from a federal contract or award to carry out agreements pursuant to the pilot program.

(Sec. 202) Requires DOE to delegate to the directors of the national laboratories signature authority with respect to certain agreements the total cost of which is less than $1 million, if such an agreement falls within the scope of: (1) a strategic plan for the national laboratory that has been approved by DOE; or (2) the most recent congressionally approved budget for DOE activities to be carried out by that laboratory.

Makes this section inapplicable to any agreement with a majority foreign-owned company.

(Sec. 203) Permits the directors of national laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early-stage and pre-commercial technology demonstration activities to: (1) remove technology barriers that limit private sector interest, and (2) demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from national laboratory activities.

(Sec. 204) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions from the cost-sharing requirements for research and development for six years.

(Sec. 205) Authorizes DOE to enter into an agreement with the National Science Foundation to enable the participation of DOE researchers in the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program.

TITLE III--ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT

 (Sec. 301) Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the results of projects developed under this Act and on the impact of DOE efforts to promote technology transfer and private sector engagement at the national laboratories.

technology transfer act title innovation management department energy sec directs department_of_energy doe report annually ability improve technology transfer commercialization energy technologies including assessment role effectiveness director recommend changes improve ability successfully transfer new energy technologies private sector sec expresses sense congress doe encourage nonmilitary national laboratories national laboratories federally funded research development centers inform small businesses opportunities resources exist pursuant act sec requires doe report capabilities authorize host oversee privately funded fusion non light water reactor prototypes related demonstration facilities doe owned sites instructs doe purposes report consider doe capabilities facilitate privately funded prototypes megawatts thermal output title cross sector partnerships grant competitiveness sec directs doe carry pilot program accordance act including giving contractors doe nonmilitary national laboratories increased authority negotiate contract terms making facility eligible program permits directors national laboratories execute agreements non federal entities provided funding carry purposes federal award subjects agreements funding agreements requirements dole act concerning patent rights inventions arising federally supported research development imposes contractor certification requirements avoidance direct competition private sector conflicts interest extends pilot program october requires doe report congress overall effectiveness pilot program annually account justify incidences use non federal entities funds derived federal contract award carry agreements pursuant pilot program sec requires doe delegate directors national laboratories signature authority respect certain agreements total cost million agreement falls scope strategic plan national laboratory approved doe recent congressionally approved budget doe activities carried laboratory makes section inapplicable agreement majority foreign owned company sec permits directors national laboratories use funds authorized support technology transfer doe carry early stage pre commercial technology demonstration activities remove technology barriers limit private sector interest demonstrate potential commercial applications research technologies arising national laboratory activities sec amends energy policy act exempt institutions higher education nonprofit institutions cost sharing requirements research development years sec authorizes doe enter agreement national_science_foundation enable participation doe researchers program title iii assessment impact sec requires government accountability office report congress results projects developed act impact doe efforts promote technology transfer private sector engagement national laboratories


Summary:
Science Prize Competitions Act

Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 regarding prize competitions, allowing an agency to waive liability insurance requirements for participants.

Allows an agency to enter into a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other agreement with a private sector for-profit as well as a nonprofit entity (as under current law) to administer a prize competition.

Permits the use of funds from private sector for-profit entities to support a prize competition.

Prohibits an agency from giving special consideration to any private sector for-profit entity in return for a donation.

Limits the use of federal funds to those made available by appropriations Acts.

science prize competitions act amends stevenson-wydler_technology innovation act prize competitions allowing agency waive liability insurance requirements participants allows agency enter grant contract cooperative agreement agreement private sector profit nonprofit entity current law administer prize competition permits use funds private sector profit entities support prize competition prohibits agency giving special consideration private sector profit entity return donation limits use federal funds available appropriations acts


Summary:
American Innovation Act

This bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require certain adjustments to discretionary spending limits in FY2016-FY2021 to accommodate increases in appropriations for agencies that perform basic science research.

Adjustments are required for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy Office of Science, Department of Defense science and technology programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research and Services, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate.

The bill also requires annual appropriations for each of the programs and agencies referenced in this bill to be at least the amount appropriated in FY2015.

The bill exempts appropriations provided pursuant to this bill from sequestration. Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.

american innovation act bill amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act require certain adjustments discretionary spending limits fy2016 fy2021 accommodate increases appropriations agencies perform basic science research adjustments required national_science_foundation science technology programs national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa science mission directorate bill requires annual appropriations programs agencies referenced bill appropriated fy2015 bill exempts appropriations provided pursuant bill sequestration sequestration process automatic usually board spending reductions budgetary resources permanently cancelled enforce specific budget policy goals