New and Notable

Comment Sought on National Nanotechnology Strategy
The federal National Nanotechnology Initiative is seeking public input through 30 Nov. on its proposed national nanotechnology strategy.  The strategy lays out targeted guidance for agency leaders, program managers, and the research community for planning and implementation of nanotechnology R&D investments and activities.   more

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Academy Report Focuses on Underrepresented
Minorities in Science and Engineering
The National Academies of Science report outlines a roadmap for increasing involvement of underrepresented minorities in science and engineering.    more

Public Comments Sought on Copyright and
Innovation in the Internet Economy
The Department of Commerce's Internet Policy Task Force seeks public comment from all interested stakeholders on the challenges of protecting copyrighted works online and the relationship between copyright law and innovation in the Internet economy.    more

NASA Reauthorization Passes Before Congressional Recess
Before recessing, the House of Representatives approved the Senate version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (S.3729), by a vote of 304 to 118, clearing the way for Presidential signature. The bill authorizes an additional shuttle flight before phase-out and extends planned use of the space station, makes development of commercial crew taxis a priority, and directs NASA to begin work on a new heavy-lift capacity for exploration missions.  A Senate report accompanying the bill outlines the key provisions of the three year, $58B reauthorization.  

Dr. Subra Suresh Confirmed as NSF Director
Former MIT Engineering Dean Subra Suresh has been confirmed by the Senate as the new director of the National Science Foundation.    more

Follow-up to Rising Storm Report Released
 "Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5," cites growing economic and educational challenges to U.S. competitiveness in order to strengthen the case for reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act.  The report is the subject of a Sept. 29 hearing by the House Science and Technology Committee.    more

FCC Frees Up "White Space" For "Super Wi-Fi" Technologies
On Sept. 23, the Federal Communications Commission took steps to free up vacant airwaves between TV channels -- called “white spaces” -- to unleash a host of new technologies, marking the first significant block of spectrum released for unlicensed use in more than 20 years.   more

Applications Sought for 2012 Government Fellowships
Each year, IEEE-USA sponsors three government fellowships for qualified IEEE members to spend a year in Washington serving as advisers to the U.S. Congress or to key U.S. Department of State decision-makers. This program links science, technology and engineering professionals with government, and provides a mechanism for IEEE's U.S. members to learn firsthand about the public policy process while imparting their knowledge and experience to policymakers.    more

Applications Sought for 2011 WISE Internships
IEEE-USA is seeking applications from IEEE U.S. student members to participate in the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) 2011 Summer program.  WISE brings together outstanding engineering and computer students from several engineering societies for nine weeks to learn about the public policy process, including how government officials make decisions on complex technological issues and how engineers can contribute to legislative and regulatory public policy decisions.    more

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Updated:  09 December 2010
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