Washington D.C. – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced its plans to enact new policies to address transparency and accountability for federally funded research.

Chairman Smith: “I am encouraged by the NSF’s announcement that it will increase transparency and accountability for taxpayer-supported scientific research. For more than a year, I have been calling for the NSF to provide public explanations for how NSF research grants are in the national interest and worthy of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. The NSF’s new policy is a step in the right direction. Congress and taxpayers will be eager to see how the new NSF national interest criterion is implemented."

The only information currently available to the public is a brief summary on the agency’s website written by the researcher. The NSF indicated the changes will be incorporated into the agency’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide before the end of the year.

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