Policy Issues

The Materials Research Society (MRS) is an interdisciplinary society whose members worldwide are advancing research and innovation to improve the quality of life. Building from our Core Value of being egalitarian and inclusive, MRS is dedicated to broadening participation within the Society itself, and in the scientific and engineering enterprise at-large. We believe that it is vital to allow scientists and engineers to conduct their critical work and research outside of changing political climates, civil unrest or any other factors that may inhibit the abilities of researchers to globally collaborate and make valued contributions towards improving everyday life for the public at large.

The MRS Government Affairs Committee (GAC) contributes to the development of governmental science and technology policy to advance materials research and innovation by responding to and initiating opportunities to interact with government officials and other organizations on matters of science and technology policy.

The current economic climate poses many challenges for the materials community, whose research priorities are critically affected by both federal and international mandates. With that in mind, the GAC seeks to provide timely information on emerging public policy issues, federal programs and other activities of importance to its members and others in the materials community.

Below are current issues and communications developed to help advance the policy goals of the materials community. Select each title below to read its description, and click Read More to view the downloadable PDF.

Issues

Letter from NIST Coalition to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees to provide strong funding for NIST programs in the FY 2020 appropriations

April 2019

Coalition recommends Congress increase funding for NIST’s Scientific and Technical Research and Services (STRS) programs and construction accounts.

MRS Statement on Administration Budget Proposal for FY 2020

March 19, 2019

In order to remain globally competitive, America needs investment in scientific enterprise and discovery. Over the past hundred years, investments in research and development have spurred scientific advancement, created economic prosperity, unlocked discoveries that improved the health and security of our citizens. Unfortunately, the Administration’s proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2020 calls for deep cuts to agencies and research institutions that are dedicated to these outcomes. These deleterious cuts to the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy (including its advanced energy programs), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology endanger our nation’s global leadership role. We strongly urge Congress to reject these proposed cuts, fully fund the domestic research and development portfolio, and protect the work and essential public service of our nation’s researchers.

Michael Fitzsimmons, President, Materials Research Society

Letter from the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) to Congressional SC on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

March 2019

CNSF recommends Congress reach a bipartisan agreement to raise the budget caps for non-defense discretionary spending.

Impact of the Government Shutdown on America’s Research Enterprise

January 2019

Letter from the Coalition for National Science Foundation (CNSF) urging the President and Congressional Leaders to end the shutdown and enact a FY 2019 Appropriations bill for NSF.

Immediately End the Partial Government Shutdown

January 2019

Letter from MRS President to President Trump and Congressional Leadership to find a path forward and end the stalemate.

Kelvin Droegemeier Confirmed as New Director of OSTP

January 2019

Congratulations to Kelvin Droegemeier on his confirmation by the US Senate to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)

Coalition for National Security Research – Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 DOD Budget

November 2018

Letter from the Coalition for National Security to the Secretary of Defense and Director, Office of Management Budget to include robust and sustained growth in the Dept. of Defense’s basic research S&T program budgets.

Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (H.R. 589)

October 2018

Thank you letters to the House Science and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees from the Energy Sciences Coalition for supporting and advancing H.R. 589.

Energy Sciences Coalition

August 2018

Letter to the Director, Office of Management and Budget, from the Energy Sciences Coalition requesting increased funding for the DOE Office of Science in the President’s FY 2020 budget request.

Science Community Support for Dr. Droegemeier

August 2018

Letter from the Innovation Task Force to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation expressing support for the nomination of Dr Kelvin Droegemeier as Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy.

National Quantum Initiative Legislation – Protect the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)

June 2018

Letter from MRS President to the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Frontiers of Materials Research Webinar on December 12, 2017 – National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

You are invited to participate in a virtual town hall of the Decadal Survey. Register to attend at http://materials-research.eventbrite.com/.

Graduate Student Tuition Waiver

December 2017

Letter from Members of Congress to Congressional Leadership on effects of the tax increase on graduate students.

Repeal to Tax Code – Provision that would apply a Tax to Waivers that Graduate Students Receive

November 2017

Letter from MRS President to Congressional Leadership to repeal Section 117(d)(5) of the current tax code that will hamstring graduate students in their efforts to contribute to America’s continued leadership.

Support the Dept. of Energy’s Office of Science during Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget discussions

October 2017

Letter from the Energy Sciences Coalition (ESC) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide DOE Office of Science with no less than $5.8 billion during FY 2019.

Passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 2810 and S. 1519)

October 2017

Letter of appreciation from the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR) to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services for passage of the NDAA and recommendations for further strengthening the defense scientific research enterprise in the FY18 NDAA Conference Agreement.

Bipartisan Budget Agreement is Needed to Raise the Discretionary Budget Caps

October 2017

Letter from the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR) to Congressional Leadership urging Congress to raise the arbitrary budget caps that hurt our military readiness and severely restrict the U.S. Dept. of Defense’s ability to invest in necessary scientific research

A Bipartisan Budget Agreement is Needed to Maintain Robust Federal Investments in America’s Scientific and Innovation Enterprise

July 2017

Letter from CNSF to Congress to pass a bipartisan budget agreement that increases spending caps for both defense and non-defense discretionary programs.

Materials Research Society Supports Sustained and Robust Federal Investment in Scientific Research

May 2017

MRS statement expressing deep concern regarding the Administration’s FY 18 budget proposal to Congress.

Notice of Information Collection under OMB Emergency Review: Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants (DS-5535), published at 82 Federal Register 20957 on May 4, 2017

May 2017

Multi-society letter to the Department of State and Office of Management and Budget expressing concerns this notice will have a chilling effect on international travelers to the United States.