White House Stands New Committee to Coordinate US Research Community

The White House formed a new joint committee to lead the federal government’s efforts to address the challenges facing the U.S. research community and accelerate innovation, Nextgov reported Tuesday. The Office of Science and Technology Policy said that the committee will coordinate government agencies, academia and the private sector to improve the “safety, integrity and productivity” of research projects. 

“Our nation’s continued global leadership in science and technology depends upon attracting, empowering and retaining our best and brightest talent,” said Kelvin Droegemeier, director of OSTP. “It’s critical we remove any obstacles in the way of the scientists, engineers, and inventors of today and tomorrow, achieving their full potential.” 

The National Science and Technology Council’s committees on Science and Science and Technology Enterprise will lead the group. The committee will initially focus on administrative burdens on federally-funded research, securing research assets, rigor and integrity in research and the existence of safe, inclusive and equitable research settings. Officials from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy will be part of the committee.