Historical Overview
1992 - 2003
The Science and Technology Policy Institute (S&T PI) is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that provides analytic support to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). It was chartered by an act of Congress in 1991 and began operation in 1992. The National Science Foundation, the sponsor of the FFRDC, awarded the RAND Corporation the contract to manage S&T PI after the nonprofit corporation won a competitive selection process. NSF renewed RAND's contract in April 1998 after a formal review of the government's need for the FFRDC and the value of its contributions to the U.S. science and technology enterprise.RAND continued to operate the institute through November 30, 2003. As of December 1, 2003, S&T PI is managed by the Institute for Defense Analyses.
In July 1998, the President signed legislation that expanded the Institute's charter toinclude work on science policy, as well as technology policy, andchanged its name from the Critical Technologies Institute (CTI) to theScience and Technology Policy Institute. The change reflected evolvingnational needs and a long history of requests from the federalgovernment for analysis of science policy issues in addition to analysisof technology issues.
During its time at RAND, S&T PI's mission, like RAND's, was to help improve publicpolicyby informing decisions through objective analysis. The FFRDC's specialcompetencies were outlined in the Institute's duties as specified in its congressional charter. They included the
- assembly of timely and authoritative information regardingsignificant developments and trends in science and technology researchand development in the United States and abroad
- analysis and interpretation of such with particular attention tothe scope and content of the federal science and technology research anddevelopment portfolio as it affects interagency and national issues
- initiation of studies and analyses of alternatives available forensuring the long-term strength of the United States in the developmentand application of science and technology, including appropriate rolesfor the federal government, state governments, private industry, andinstitutions of higher education in the development and application ofscience and technology.
To carry out these duties, Congress directed the Institute toconsult widely with representatives from private industry, institutionsof higher education, and nonprofit institutions; and to the maximumextent practicable, incorporate information and perspectives derivedfrom such consultations in carrying out its mission.
RAND S&T PI's Work
RAND S&T PI's work between 1992 and November 2003 provided OSTPand Federal agencies with reports on a wide range of issues, including:
| U.S. R&D Portfolio and International Cooperation
- developing performance metrics for science and assessing the U.S.role in international cooperative research.
Space and Transportation
- informing presidential policy decisions on future of the globalpositioning system, assessing cost effectiveness of small spacecraft,and determining how remote sensing capabilities can be used to pursuenational environmental monitoring objectives.
Critical Infrastructure and Information Technology
- determining priorities for the security of the nation's informationinfrastructure, and assessing the potential for criminal exploitation ofcyberpayment technologies. Education and Training
- defining the elements for a national strategy for educationaltechnology.
Health, the Environment and Public Safety
- determining the true cost of clinical research and assessing thenational system for medical technology assessment.
- helping shape the national plan for earthquake hazard reduction.
- supporting presidential advisory bodies in determiningrecommendations on energy research and greenhouse gas reduction, andassessing technical means for monitoring air quality.
|
During its time at RAND, S&T PI also developed a series of unique databases, most notably RaDiUS, the first comprehensive guide to research and development spending and activities of the federal government. RaDiUS Licenses are available for free or a nominal fee to employees and contractors of the U.S. Federal Government, as well as employees and students at U.S. educational institutions and other eligible members of the general public.
A Report to the President: Analytic Perspectives on the Science and Technology Issues Facing the Nation
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998
Contact Information
RAND operated the S&TPI from 1992 - 2003 and maintains this Web site only as an archive of the work that was done during that time.
If you have any questions about the work referenced on this Web site, please contact us via email.
|
Top