# DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act

The Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation are two major government agencies that fund scientific research. Right now, they often work separately on similar problems, which can mean duplicated efforts and missed opportunities for collaboration. This bill tells these two agencies to work together more closely on research projects that matter to both of them.

Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of Energy and the Director of the National Science Foundation to create a formal agreement laying out how they'll collaborate on cutting-edge research. They'd work together on areas like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and fusion energy. The key is that they'll use a competitive process where universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, and private companies can apply for funding to work on these joint projects. This means more organizations get a shot at research money, and researchers can tap into resources from both agencies instead of having to choose between them.

The bill also encourages these agencies to share data, equipment, and facilities with each other and with the broader research community. They can pool money through reimbursable agreements to make their research dollars go further. Additionally, they're supposed to develop education and workforce training programs together to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers. Within two years, the agencies must report back to Congress about what they've accomplished, what opportunities exist to expand their work, and whether they should keep this collaboration going.

For everyday people, this matters because it could speed up breakthroughs in clean energy, medical technology, and computing that eventually make their way into products and services we all use. It also means more research opportunities for scientists and engineers, and potentially more jobs in the research sector.

DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act

Stevens, Haley M.

DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act This bill provides statutory authority for a research and development partnership between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Specifically, the bill requires DOE and NSF to enter into a memorandum of understanding to support cross-cutting and collaborative research and development that furthers the missions of both agencies. Through the partnership, DOE and NSF may conduct research in a variety of focus areas (e.g., artificial intelligence), promote multi-agency and cross-sector data sharing, support research infrastructure, and organize education and training initiatives. DOE and NSF must jointly report on their collaboration.