May 26, 2020

AAU Summary of S. 3832: Endless Frontier Act

Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act on May 21, 2020. Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) introduced the House companion bill, HR 6978, the following day. The primary aims of the bill are to fund research, technology transfer, and workforce in 10 “key technology areas” defined in the bill. It provides $100 billion over 5 years to a new Technology Directorate in the renamed NSF - the National Science & Technology Foundation - and creates a new Deputy Director for Technology. The measure also creates new Regional Technology Hubs funded by the Department of Commerce that would attract new investment in the area for advancing innovation capacity through regional workforce and infrastructure development. These Regional Technology Hubs would be funded at $10 billion over 5 years.