PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 772.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 17, 2002
21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act - Directs the President to establish a National Nanotechnology Research Program. Requires such Program, through appropriate Federal agencies, councils, and the National Coordination Office, to: (1) establish goals, priorities, grand challenges (fundamental problems in science and engineering that will require the application of nanotechnology), and metrics for evaluating Federal nanotechnology research, development, and other activities; (2) invest in Federal research and development (R&D) programs in nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals; and (3) provide for coordination of Federal nanotechnology activities.Requires the Program, through its participating agencies, to develop, fund, and manage Federal research programs concerning: (1) long-term basic nanoscience and engineering research; (2) essential grand challenges and interdisciplinary research and education teams; (3) interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers; (4) research infrastructure and equipment; (5) the Center for Ethical, Societal, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology to be established by the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF); and (6) technology transition.Directs the National Science and Technology Council to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program, including establishment of an Information Services and Applications Council.Directs the President to establish a National Nanaotechnology Advisory Panel and a National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.Provides for the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial evaluation of the Program and a biennial study of the relative position of the United Sates compared to other nations with respect to nanotechnology R&D.Provides for the Program to monitor the United States' standing in key research fields that support technological innovation.Requires the NSF Director to: (1) collect and disseminate studies on the societal, ethical, educational, and workforce implications of nanotechnology; and (2) collect data on the size of the anticipated nanotechnology workforce needed and assess the adequacy of the trained talent pool to fill such needs.
People & committees
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D–OR
Legislative record
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Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 772.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Hollings without amendment. With written report No. 107-350.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Hollings without amendment. With written report No. 107-350.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8679-8683)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8678-8679)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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