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

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.

OMB Federal Travel Restrictions

January 2014

Letter from the MRS President and Executive Director to Senators Carper and Coburn on the impact OMB federal travel restrictions have on the national research enterprise and our innovation-based economy.

Eliminate Sequestration

December 2013

Letter from the Task Force on American Innovation to the Congressional Committees on the Budget urging they reach an agreement in the FY14 budget that provides relief from the sequester and helps close our nation’s innovation deficit by ensuring sustained and robust support for scientific research and STEM education.

Innovation Deficit

October 2013

Letter from the Task Force on American Innovation to President Obama urging sustained and robust support for scientific research and STEM education to close our nation’s innovation deficit.

Federal Helium Reserve

September 2013

Letter to U.S. Congressional leadership from multiple science and technology organizations requesting Congress act urgently to approve legislation to secure the helium supply and send legislation to the president before October 1.

Public Access Data Policies

July 2013

Joint professional society letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy to consider a separate public access plan and timeline for scientific data beyond that for public access for publications and data directly associated with scholarly publications.

AAAS R&D Budget Analysis with Materials Science Chapter 2014

June 2013

MRS contributes a materials chapter for the AAAS R&D Budget book that assesses the proposed federal government budget for FY2014. The full report may be viewed at the AAAS website: http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/rdreport2014/.

NSF Merit Review Process for Awarding Research Grants

May 2013

Letter to U.S. Representative Lamar Smith, Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, urging Congress to avoid legislative attempts that could undermine a decades-long system of success and ultimately impede discovery and innovation.

Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-12-12 on Federal Employee Participation in Conferences

May 2013

Letter to U.S. Congressional Leadership from multiple science and technology organizations to prevent Memorandum M-12-12 from being applied in a way that hampers the legitimate and necessary interactions among scientific and technical researchers.

Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act (H.R. 527)

April 2013

Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Leadership to promptly schedule a floor vote on H.R. 527 to ensure a secure and continuous supply of helium in maintaining U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge scientific research.

Federal Restrictions on Employee Travel-Reject Senate Amendment 67

March 2013

Letter to U.S. Congressional Leadership from MRS President to reject Senate Amendment 76 to the Continuing Resolution, HR 933, which would restrict the number of government employees who can attend any conference meeting to 25 people.

Sequestration

February 2013

Joint professional society letter to U.S. Congressional Leadership to avoid drastic, indiscriminate cuts to federal science research and development programs.