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. MRS is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity 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

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.

Fiscal Year (FY) 18 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill

May 2017

Letter from Senator Bill Nelson to the Senate Appropriations SC to request consideration of projects that are of significant importance to Floridians.

FISCAL YEAR 2018 Funding Statement for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science

April 2017

Letter from the Energy Sciences Coalition that has been shared with the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations staff.

White House Executive Order on Visas and Immigration

January 2017

Multi-organizational letter to President Trump stressing the new Executive Order has profound implications for diplomatic, humanitarian and national security interests.

AAAS Science & Technology in Congress FY 2017

October 2016

Report assembled by AAAS Office of Government Relations in collaboration with more than two dozen scientific, engineering, and higher education institutions known collectively as the Intersociety Working Group. The report highlights and explains ongoing issues in Washington DC science and funding.

FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 4904 and S. 2943)

July 2016

Letter from the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR) to U.S. House and Senate Committees on Armed Services commending their leadership in moving the NDAA through their respective chambers and the support provided for the defense scientific research enterprise in both pieces of legislation.

Congressional Directed Medical Research Program – National Defense Authorization Act

July 2016

Letter of appreciation from the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR) to U.S. Senator Richard Durbin for his leadership in supporting the defense research enterprise.

Introduction of S.3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act

July 2016

Letter of Appreciation from the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) to Members of the United States Senate on the introduction of S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which authorizes funding for the National Science Foundation.

The National Science Foundation plays a unique and vital role in the nation’s innovation and scientific enterprise

June 2016

Letter from the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation encouraging passage of a longer authorization bill (S.3084) that sets aspirational funding targets to inform appropriators of the resources NSF needs to accomplish its mission.

Strong Investments in America’s Innovation Ecosystem–High Priority for Federal Research Funding

November 2015

Letter from multiple coalitions to U.S. House of Representatives Leadership to enact legislation that provides real growth for federal investments in R&D across the board and enact policies that ensure the U.S. remains the global innovation leader.

Provide robust funding for the Defense Science and Technology (S&T) and Defense Basic Research programs

November 2015

Letter from the Coalition for National Security Research to the US Congressional Appropriations Committees Leadership urging support for increased funding levels for 6.1 basic research.

Multi-year Sustained Investments Needed for Our National Innovation Infrastructure

August 2015

Letter from MRS in reply to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s request for input from the science and research community on the Reauthorization of America COMPETES.

Reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act

June 2015

Letter to the U.S. Senate from the Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI) expressing support for S.1398 that makes clear the nation needs strong, sustained investment in scientific research.