ACS Requests Funding for CHIPS and Science Act in FY24

October 18, 2022

Dear Director Young and Director Prabhakar:

On behalf of the over 150,000 members of the American Chemical Society, I write to ask the administration to incorporate the authorizations included in the recently passed “CHIPS and Science Act” into its fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request. Numerous provisions included in the Act could rejuvenate the scientific enterprise in the United States and ensure the U.S. remains competitive in the research areas vital to national success in this century. Funding at the level authorized in this legislation represents an important investment in research, development, and technology demonstration.

Department of Energy Office of Science

The Society respectfully requests the DOE SC receive $9.5 billion in the FY 2024 budget. Within the budget request, robust support should be provided for efforts to conserve helium for research. With the auction of the strategic reserve, researchers are vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes, making conservation of helium vital to research, industry and national security. Sustainable and green chemistry within the Office of Science should be incorporated into new and ongoing initiatives to complement efforts at NIST and NSF, as well as meet the provisions of CHIPS and Science Act.

National Institute of Standards and Technology

The Society requests that the NIST budget be at least $1.65 billion overall, including $1.047 billion for science and technical research and services laboratory activity. Additionally, there should be explicit budgeting for no less than $20 million for circular economy and sustainable chemistry research in FY 2024. Sustainable chemistry is a forward-looking approach to the chemical enterprise, marrying innovation with reduced toxicity, a cleaner environment, and lower costs.

National Science Foundation

The Society requests an NSF budget of $12 billion for research and related activities. In particular, we ask for a portion of the Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure Program to be focused on helium conservation and $50 million to support sustainable chemistry research and meet the provisions of the CHIPS and Science Act and the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act concerning sustainable chemistry. The Society also asks the administration to fully support the authorization of $32.5 million for implementing the provisions of the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act included in the CHIPS and Science Act under Title V, Subtitle D.

The Society supports robust budgeting for carrying out the provisions of the STEM Opportunities Act, Rural STEM Education Research Act, and MSI STEM Achievement Act incorporated into the CHIPS and Science Act as Title V, Subtitle A-C. Ensuring an inclusive and safe research enterprise requires investment in communities that have not historically benefited from support, resources, and opportunities to engage in STEM fields.

As the administration weighs its request to Congress for FY 2024, we hope that the CHIPS and Science Act will provide the basis for robust funding across the federal research landscape. Should there be any way ACS may assist in the process, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Anthony Pitagno
Senior Director, Government Affairs
American Chemical Society