Pres. Bush signs bill authorizing U.S. nanotechnology program

National Science and Technology Council
Committee on Technology
Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET)
National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)

December 3, 2003—President Bush today signed the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, which recently passed the House (H.R. 766) and the Senate (S. 189) with overwhelming support. (Read the text of Public Law 108-153. )

This legislation puts into law programs and activities supported by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), one of the President’s highest multi-agency research and development (R&D) priorities. The authorization bill calls for $3.7 billion for nanotechnology R&D for FY 2005-2008 for five of the 16 agencies comprising the existing NNI: the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The legislation also requires the creation of research centers, education and training efforts, studies into the societal and ethical consequences of nanotechnology, and activities directed toward transferring technology into the marketplace. Finally, the bill sets up advisory committees and regular program reviews, and delineates additional tasks for the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.

“The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act is important recognition for this new field of science and technology for the progress and future of the US economy and society in the next decades,” said Mihail C. Roco, chairman of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Committee, and senior advisor for nanotechnology at the National Science Foundation.

House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) co-sponsored the House legislation. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and George Allen (R-VA) were the Senate co-sponsors.

Congress must pass an appropriations bill for the NNI activities mandated in the legislation before funds will be allocated. The President’s 2004 Budget provides $849 million for the multi-agency National Nanotechnology Initiative, a 9.8 percent increase over 2003.

Established in 2001, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is a federal R&D program that coordinates the multi-agency efforts in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Government departments and agencies participating in the NNI include the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology), Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration), Homeland Security (Transportation Security Agency), Justice, State, and Treasury, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, Intelligence Community, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation and Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Representatives of each department and agency sit on the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Committee. The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office is the secretariat to the NSET and is the point of contact on federal nanotechnology activities for government organizations, academia, industry, professional societies, foreign organizations, and others to exchange technical and programmatic information. In addition, the NNCO develops and makes available printed and other materials as directed by the NSET Subcommittee as well as maintains the National Nanotechnology Initiative Web site.