Bill > HR4159

This bill, the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 2014, aims to strengthen U.S. competitiveness by investing in innovation, research and development, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. It reauthorizes and revises various programs within the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Energy (DOE). Key provisions include establishing an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Education (ARPAED) to foster educational technology advancements, promoting partnerships between community colleges and industry for STEM training, and encouraging the integration of arts and design into STEM education (STEAM). The bill also focuses on broadening participation in STEM fields by addressing barriers for underrepresented groups and supporting caregivers in federal science agencies. Furthermore, it authorizes appropriations for the NSF and NIST for fiscal years 2015-2019, revises programs related to nanotechnology research, and supports advanced manufacturing initiatives through consortia and networks. The DOE's Office of Science programs, including basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, and advanced scientific computing, are also reauthorized and updated.