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

MSIC Statement on S.883

May 2015

The American Mineral Security Act of 2015 (S.883) Statement to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee from The Minerals Science and Information Coalition on the importance of prioritizing both the science and information components of USGS's Mineral Resources Program.

AAAS R&D Budget Analysis for FY2016 with Materials Science Chapter

April 2015

MRS contributed a materials chapter for the AAAS R&D Budget book that assesses the proposed federal government budget for FY2016. The full report may be viewed at the AAAS website.

Impact of Federal Conference and Travel Policies on Science and Technology

April 2015

Multi-organization letter to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leadership expressing deep concerns about the impact of the Administration regulations and legislative initiatives related to government travel on the science and engineering enterprise and the pace of innovation.

National Minerals Information Center (NMIC)

February 2015

Letter from the Minerals Science and Information Coalition to Acting Director, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), commending USGS and NMIC for work as the primary national source of minerals science and information.

Confirmation Hearings for US DOE Posts

November 2014

Letter to Senator Harry Reid from the Energy Sciences Coalition requesting prompt confirmation of nominees for the Under Secretary for Science and Energy and Director of the Office of Science at the US DOE.

Coalition for National Security Research – FY2015 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

November 2014

Letter from the Coalition for National Security Research urging Congress to include strong investments in the U.S. Department of Defense Science and Technology FY2015 accounts.

Appropriations for US DOE ARPA-E

November 2014

Letter to U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committee Chairs from the Energy Sciences Coalition urging high priority be given to funding for critical scientific research supported by the DOE ARPA-E.

Administration’s Fiscal Year 2016 Proposed Budget for US DOE

November 2014

Letter to Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), requesting OMB provide robust and sustained funding for the US DOE Office of Science.

Close the Innovation Deficit

November 2014

113 national organizations have signed a letter to Congress urging the enactment of an omnibus FY15 appropriations bill that provides strong funding for research and higher education. For additional information, please go to the Close the Innovation Deficit website at http://www.innovationdeficit.org.

Office of Management and Budget Policy on Federal Employee Travel

October 2014

Letter to the Director of OMB from National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine requesting OMB 12-12 be modified to maintain the effectiveness and productivity of the scientific research enterprise.

APS-MRS Response Letter to OSTP on Critical Minerals RFI

September 2014

APS-MRS Response Letter to OSTP on Request for Information to Inform Strategy on Critical Materials Letter to Cyrus Wadia, OSTP, from APS and MRS Presidents on critical and strategic materials supply chains and their importance to America.

FIRST Act

August 2014

Letter from MRS President to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leadership regarding the FIRST Act, part of America COMPETES legislation that represents a foundational piece of the federal commitment to the American scientific enterprise.

MRS Public Comment on the MGI Strategic Plan

August 2014

The MRS long-term commitment to promote and facilitate interdisciplinary materials research and technology is consistent with MGI’s goal of integrated materials research linking computation, data, and experiment across academia, government and industry. The MGI Strategic Plan may be viewed here: http://www.nist.gov/mgi/upload/MGI-StrategicPlan-2014.pdf.

Energy Critical Elements Act of 2014

July 2014

Letter from MRS President to the House Science, Space and Technology Committee Leadership in support of H.R. 1022, Energy Critical Elements Act of 2014, to enhance the future U.S. position in critical minerals and materials.

Scientific and Engineering Group Letter on S_ 1347

July 2014

Coburn-Heitkamp substitute to Senate Bill 1347, Conference Accountability Act of 2013 Multi-Society letter to Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs expressing concern about the current and proposed restrictions on the ability of federal and contractor scientists and engineers to participate in scientific and technical conferences.

AAAS R&D Budget Analysis with Materials Science Chapter 2015

May 2014

MRS contributes a materials chapter for the AAAS R&D Budget book that assesses the proposed federal government budget for FY2015. The full report may be viewed at the AAAS website: http://www.aaas.org/page/aaas-report-xxxix-research-and-development-fy-2015

Close the Innovation Deficit with Strong Federal Investments in Research

April 2014

50 leading business, higher education, scientific, and patient organizations urge members of Senate Appropriations Committee panel to make strong, sustained investments in research in order to Close the Innovation Deficit.

Driving Innovation Through Federal Investments

April 2014

Letter to Senate Committee on Appropriations thanking the Committee for holding a hearing on how federal investments in scientific research and engineering drive innovation.

Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013

March 2014

Joint support letter from APS and MRS to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Task Force on American Innovation–Close the Innovation Deficit

February 2014

Letter from TFAI urging Congressional Leadership to take significant steps during the FY 2015 appropriations process to help close the innovation deficit and maintain our nation’s innovation and economic leadership.