National Science Policy and Priorities Act

National Science Policy and Priorities Act - Title I: Science Policy and Priorities for Civilian Research and Engineering - Science Policy Act - Directs the National Science Foundation to: (1) analyze information regarding Federal expenditures for research and engineering activities in order to focus these activities on meeting the needs of the Nation in such areas as health care, poverty, public safety, pollution, unemployment, productivity, housing, education, transportation, nutrition, communications, and energy resources; (2) develop and recommend to the President and the Congress programs and activities which will contribute to carrying out such policies; and (3) submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress not later than January 31 of each calendar year a report of its activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, $15,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974; and $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, to carry out the provisions of this title.

Title II: Design and Demonstration of Civil Science Systems - Civil Science Systems Act - Establishes, within the National Science Foundation, the Civil Science Systems Administration and a Civil Science Systems Advisory Council to advise the Director of the Civil Science Systems Administration with respect to the discharge of his responsibilities under this Act.

Authorizes the Director to conduct planning studies, to transfer funds to other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and to make grants to, or to enter into contracts with, academic institutions, nonprofit institutes and organizations, State, regional, and local governmental agencies, private business firms, for the conduct of the following programs: (1) planning studies for the design and demonstration of civil science systems capable of providing improved civil services; (2) applied social research into the economic, sociological, political, legal, administrative, and psychological aspects of civil science systems capable of providing improved public services in areas such as health care, public safety, public sanitation, pollution control, housing, transportation, public utilities, communications, and education; (3) testing and evaluating civil science systems which make use of advanced science and technology; (4) establishment of a computerized Civil Science System Information Service to collect and integrate the scientific, technical, and social information pertaining to civil science systems resulting from programs under this title, and to provide such information to interested organizations in Federal, State, and local government, industry, academic institutions, and the nonprofit sector, upon request from such organizations, in accordance with such administrative procedures as are established by the Director; and (5) construction and public exhibition of civil science systems demonstration projects, which illustrate the functioning and associated benefits of alternative, effective civil science systems resulting from research and design activities conducted or assisted under this title.

Authorizes specific appropriations for the various programs established under this Title.

Title III: Transition of Technical Manpower to Civilian Programs - Technical Manpower Transition Act - Establishes an advisory Panel on Transition Manpower to civilian programs to advise the Director with respect to the discharge of his responsibilities under this title.

Authorizes the Foundation to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, academic insititutions, nonprofit institutes and organizations, public agencies, and private business firms, for the purpose of: (1) researching the social, economic, and managerial aspects of transition from defense research and engineering activities to civilian-oriented research and engineering activities; (2) conducting programs at the State, local, or regional level, which are designed to facilitate the transition of scientific and technical activities to civilian programs within the particular State, local, or geographic area; (3) planning or operating training programs for officers and employees of Federal, State, and local government who will be responsible for, or participate in, determining or administering government assisted or conducted programs for civilian, socially oriented research and engineering activities; (4) paying the travel and subsistence expenses of government employees incurred in connection with their participation in training programs carried out under the previous program; (5) establishing community conversion corporations; (6) enabling private corporations to hire scientists, engineers, and technicians for work on projects for which they are not yet fully qualified; (7) awarding career transition fellowships and awards to technicians to enable them to pursue a course of study through which they can acquire specialized technical knowledge and skills in fields other than the ones in which they are already proficient; (8) entering into contracts with scientific, professional, technical, and business associations and labor unions in order to establish and operate placement programs for unemployed or underemployed scientists, engineers, and technicians; and (9) planning, developing, strengthening, or carrying out education programs which design courses and curriculums intended to prepare students for careers in civilian, socially oriented research and engineering activities.

Authorizes specified appropriations for the various provisions of this title.

Title IV: Protection of Pension Rights of Scientists and Engineers - Provides that the Director shall develop, in consultation with appropriate professional societies and heads of interested Federal departments and procurement agencies, recommendations for modifications of Federal procurement regulations to insure that scientists, engineers, and others working in associated occupations employed under Federal procurement, construction, or research contracts or grants shall be protected against forfeitures of pension or retirement rights or benefits.

Title V: General Provision - Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act and specifies certain administrative provisions.