The National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 ( P.L. 94-282 ) established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including the position of its Director, within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) to provide scientific and technological analysis and advice to the President. This report provides background on EOP science and technology (S&T) advice to the President and discusses selected issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). For additional information on OSTP, including historical information regarding funding and provision of scientific advice, see CRS Report R43935, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): History and Overview , by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

	Background

Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy as an office within the EOP to, among other things, "serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government." These include:
the compliance of OSTP with statutory restrictions on its use of appropriated funds for certain activities involving China; the reporting structure of the Office of the U.S. Chief Technology Officer; the role of OSTP in ensuring scientific integrity in federally funded and supported research, including the communication of scientific and technical information by federal scientists and engineers; efforts by OSTP to effect change in federal policies regarding public access to the results of federally funded research and development (R&D); and efforts by OSTP to consolidate federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives and activities. 112-10 ) prohibited OSTP from expending funds made available under Division B of the act
to develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company unless such activities are specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this division. Should the CTO be placed in the Executive Office of the President or elsewhere in the executive branch? Should the appointment of the CTO be subject to Senate confirmation? OSTP Role in Ensuring Scientific Integrity

OSTP plays a role in ensuring the scientific integrity of research conducted and supported by the federal government, as well as in the communication of scientific and technical information developed and analyzed by federal scientists and engineers. OSTP Director Holdren subsequently issued a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies providing further guidance on implementing the Administration's policies on scientific integrity. Respondents generally supported increasing public access to such research results. OSTP has been a focus of these efforts due, in part, to the OSTP Director's role as manager of the National Science and Technology Council. In May 2013, the NSTC released the federal STEM education strategic plan. The Obama Administration's FY2015 budget request again proposed a government-wide reorganization of federal STEM education programs.
Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states, "The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government." Further, "The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government."
The OSTP Director is appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation, and may also be appointed Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST). The APST manages the National Science and Technology Council, an interagency body established by Executive Order 12881 that coordinates science and technology policy across the federal government. The APST also co-chairs the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, a council established by Executive Order 13539 and composed of external advisors who provide advice to the President. In the Obama Administration, John Holdren is both the OSTP Director and the APST.
OSTP is engaged in several activities of potential interest to the 114th Congress. Since FY2011, Congress has restricted OSTP's ability to use appropriated funds "to develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company" unless authorized to do so by a subsequent law. The 114th Congress may continue its interest in the participation of OSTP in China-related activities.
OSTP plays a role in ensuring the scientific integrity of research conducted and supported by the federal government, as well as in the communication of scientific and technical information developed and analyzed by federal scientists and engineers. The 114th Congress may continue congressional consideration of the extent to which OSTP oversees these activities.
OSTP has taken actions to provide greater public access to the results of federally funded research and development. In February 2013, OSTP Director Holdren issued a memorandum requiring federal agencies investing at least $100 million per year in research and development to develop policies allowing the general public access to the results of this investment. These policies are in the process of being released and implemented and may spur additional congressional oversight.
Finally, OSTP has inventoried federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education investments and developed a strategic plan for them. In his FY2015 and FY2014 budget requests, the President proposed reorganizations of federal STEM education programs. The extent and success of this reorganization may further focus congressional attention on OSTP's role as a coordinator of cross-agency science and technology activities.