NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3707
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T20:43:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act (H.R. 3707) aims to strengthen collaboration between the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) by directing them to conduct joint research and development (R&D) activities. These efforts focus on advancing shared priorities, such as agricultural innovation, food security, and scientific progress, to address national challenges more effectively.
Key Provisions
- Mandatory Collaboration: The Secretary of Agriculture and the NSF Director must implement cross-cutting R&D activities through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or other interagency agreements. These agreements require a competitive, merit-based review process for funding and participation, involving federal agencies, universities, nonprofits, and other entities.
- Research Focus Areas: Collaborative projects may target topics like:
- Biology related to plants, animals, and microbes for agricultural issues.
- Food and nutrition security.
- Rural economic growth.
- Cyber-physical systems (e.g., integrated digital and physical technologies).
- Smart communities, advanced sensors for soil and plants, and nano-biosensing for food safety, water quality, and disease detection.
- Monitoring pathogens, allergens, and contaminants in food or water.
- Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, robotics, digital agriculture, blockchain, and communication tools for farming.
- Precision agriculture tools and workforce education needs.
- Support Mechanisms:
- Promote data sharing, open development, and partnerships among federal agencies, educational institutions (including community colleges and technical schools), and nonprofits.
- Fund research infrastructure, such as facilities, equipment, and broadband access.
- Develop technologies for commercial use.
- Launch STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education initiatives, including extension programs, teacher workshops on agriculture, K-12 curricula, and resource distribution.
- Award grants to universities, community colleges, technical schools, or nonprofits to create Centers for Agricultural Research, Education, and Workforce Development.
- Facilitate ongoing public-private partnerships even after MOUs end.
- Agreements and Reporting: USDA and NSF can enter reimbursable agreements with each other or other entities and collaborate with additional federal agencies. Within two years of enactment, they must report to Congress on coordination efforts, technical expansions, achievements, future opportunities, and plans for continued work.
- Research Security: All activities must comply with security standards from the CHIPS and Science Act (a 2022 law focused on U.S. research competitiveness and protecting against foreign risks).
- Definitions: Clarifies terms like "appropriate committees of Congress" (key House and Senate panels on agriculture and science), "community college," "institution of higher education," and "area career and technical education school" (vocational programs under existing education laws).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new requirements for mandatory, structured collaboration between USDA and NSF, which were not previously mandated by law. It builds on existing interagency practices but formalizes them through required MOUs, competitive processes, and a congressional reporting mandate. It does not amend prior laws directly but aligns with the CHIPS and Science Act by incorporating its research security provisions. No repeals or major overhauls of current statutes are specified.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances efficiency by pooling USDA's agricultural expertise with NSF's broad scientific funding, potentially reducing duplication and accelerating innovations in food systems and rural tech. Could expand agency capabilities through shared infrastructure and reimbursable agreements.
- Citizens: Improves food safety, nutrition access, and rural job opportunities via advanced technologies and education programs. Farmers and rural communities may benefit from precision tools and economic revitalization, while students gain better STEM and agricultural training.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though advancements in biosecurity and emerging technologies could indirectly strengthen U.S. global competitiveness in agriculture and science, aligning with national security goals in laws like the CHIPS and Science Act.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily USDA and NSF, with potential involvement from other agencies (e.g., those handling education or technology).
- Educational Institutions: Universities, community colleges, and technical schools, which can receive grants and participate in research/education programs.
- Nonprofits and Private Sector: Eligible for partnerships, funding, and technology commercialization.
- Rural and Agricultural Communities: Farmers, workers, and residents benefiting from R&D in food security, precision agriculture, and economic development.
- Educators and Students: K-12 teachers, preschool through college students, and workforce trainees through literacy programs and STEM initiatives.
- Congress: Oversight committees (e.g., House Agriculture and Science, Space, and Technology; Senate counterparts) receive reports and influence future funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable interagency duties without creating new regulatory burdens, emphasizing merit-based competition to ensure fairness. Compliance with the CHIPS and Science Act reinforces protections against research risks, such as foreign interference.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I) to direct federal agencies and allocate resources for public welfare, including agriculture and education. No apparent conflicts with separation of powers, as it coordinates executive branch activities.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan priorities like innovation and rural investment (introduced by Reps. Baird and Salinas across party lines). Could influence future budgets for USDA/NSF, fostering cross-agency efficiency amid debates on federal R&D spending. The bill's referral to multiple committees signals potential for amendments during legislative review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (8 pages)