National Science Foundation Authorization Act

(Measure indefinitely postponed in Senate, H. R. 4991 passed in lieu)

National Science Foundation Authorization Act - Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation $894,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and $1,051,400,000 for fiscal year 1979.

Directs the Foundation to increase support for cooperative research projects involving researchers from the industrial and academic sectors. Directs the Foundation to provide sustained support for projects which encourage the establishment of interdisciplinary teams of researchers to address selected problems of national importance. Directs the Foundation to support activities designed to accomplish specified goals, including: (1) the improvement of public understanding of public policy issues involving science and technology; and (2) the facilitation of participation of qualified scientists and engineers in public activities aimed at the resolution of public policy issues having significant scientific and technical aspects. Requires that the support of such activities include awards and planning grants.

Directs the Foundation to establish three Resource Centers for Science and Engineering to be located at geographically dispersed educational institutions.

Authorizes the appropriation of sums not to exceed $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for expenses of the National Science Foundation incurred outside the United States.

Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to keep the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Human Resources of the Senate fully and currently informed with respect to all activities of the Foundation.