National Science Foundation Authorization and Science and Technology Equal Opportunities Act

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-1474)

National Science Foundation Authorization and Science and Technology Equal Opportunities Act - =Part A: National Science Foundation Authorization= - Authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1981. Makes funds authorized for 198l available for: (1) mathematical and physical sciences; (2) astronomical, atmospheric, earth and ocean sciences; (3) United States Antarctic Program; (4) biological, behavioral, and social sciences; (5) Ocean Drilling Programs; (6) Science Education Programs; (7) engineering and applied science; (8) scientific, technological, and international affairs; (9) Cross-Directorate Programs; and (10) program development and management.

Establishes minimum amounts to be spent for specified programs, including Earthquake Hazards Mitigation, the Small Business Innovation Program, Research and Development in Appropriate Technology, Science Improvement Programs, Science Education Programs relating to Appropriate Technology, for salaries of faculty members at institutions of higher education with limited programs in science and engineering, Ethics and Values in Science and Technology, the Handicapped in Science, Innovation Centers, and International Cooperative Science Activities. Limits the use of cross-directorate program funds for United States/Union Soviet Socialist Republics cooperative research. Requires that not less than ten percent of the funds for equipment and instrumentation be made available for grants to two-and four-year colleges for equipment and instrumentation costing less than a specified amount.

Directs the National Science Foundation to report to Congress by December 31, 1980, on the Ocean Margin Drilling Project. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on marine earth sciences research. Requires that all Federal funding of such Drilling Project be provided from the Windfall Profit Tax Account.

Limits the amount of funds which may be used for official consultation or representation at the discretion of the Director of the National Science Foundation and for the expenses of the National Science Foundation incurred outside the United States. Permits the transfer of funds from one category to another as specified.

Requires the Foundation to consolidate all Directors. Requires the Director of the Foundation, with the Secretary of Education, to develop and transmit to Congress a proposed joint science education program plan.

Requires the Director to require that all Foundation grants contain a brief statement of the purpose of the research being undertaken.

Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to require the President to give due regard to equitable representation of scientists who are women and who represent minority groups in making nominations for the National Science Board.

Eliminates the Civil Service Commission clearance of personnel with access to specified information or property requirement.

Makes individuals who make outstanding contributions in the behavioral or social sciences eligible to receive a National Medal of Science.

=Part B: Women, Minorities, Science, and Technology= - Science and Technology Equal Opportunities Act - Declares it the policy of the United States that men and women have equal opportunity in education, training and employment in scientific and technical fields.

Authorizes the Foundation to support activities designed to increase the participation of women in courses of study leading to degrees in scientific and technical fields and to provide career encouragement and traineeship and fellowships opportunities for women in such areas. Authorizes the Foundation to support, programs in science and mathematics in elementary and secondary schools which emphasize the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and information by female student awareness of career opportunities requiring scientific and technical skills. Authorizes the Foundation to support activiites in continuing education in science and engineering to provide opportunities for women in the work force or women whose careers have been interrupted to acquire new knowledge, techniques, and skills in such fields.

Authorizes the Foundation to undertake a comprehensive research program designed to increase understanding of the potential contribution of women in science and technology and to facilitate the participation and advancement of women in such careers. Authorizes the establishment of a visiting women scientists program. Authorizes the Foundation to support activities to improve the availability and quality of public information concerning the importance of the participation of women in careers in science and technology.

Authorizes the Foundation to support activities of museums and science centers which demonstrate the potential to interest and involve women in science and technology. Authorizes the making of grants to be known as the National Research Opportunity Grants to specified women scientists to conduct scientific research in a field chosen by the recipient. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such grants. Authorizes the Foundation to make grants to individuals or academic institutions for full-time or part-time visiting professorships for women in science. Authorizes the Foundation to support demonstration project activities of individuals, public agencies, and private entities designed to encourage the employment and advancement of women in science, engineering, and technology.

Authorizes the Foundation to undertake or support a comprehensive science education program to increase the participation of minorities in science and technology and to initiate research at minority institutions. Requires the Director of the Foundation, with the assistance of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Technology, to prepare and submit to specified congressional Committees a report proposing a comprehensive program to promote minoirty participation in such fields.

Directs the President, with the assistance of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Foundation, to prepare and transmit to Congress: (1) a report proposing a comprehensive national policy and program for the promotion of equal opportunity for women and minorities in science and technology; and (2) a report proposing a comprehensive policy concerning the impacts of science and technology on women and miniorities.

Establishes within the Foundation a Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Technology to advise the Foundation concerning the implementation of this Act. Establishes two subcommittees of such Committee; the Subcommittee on Women in Science and Technology and the Subcommittee on Minorities in Science and Technology and the Subcommittee on Minorities in Science and Technology. Sets forth membership requirements for such Committee. Requires the Committee to report annually on its activities to the Director and requires the Director to submit such report to Congress with comments.

Requires the Director biennially to prepare and transmit to Congress and specified Federal official a report concerning the participation and status of women in science and technology, including an accounting and comparison by sex, race, and ethnic group, and by discipline, of the participation of women and men in scientific and technical positions.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 to carry out this Act to be taken from sums appropriated for the National Science Foundation.