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

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.

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.