Advances in science and technology can help drive economic growth, improve human health, increase agricultural productivity, and help meet national priorities. The federal government establishes and maintains the legal and regulatory framework that affects science and technology activities in the private sector. Many science and technology policy issues may come before the 113 th Congress. Each issue section provides some background information and outlines the policy issues that may be considered. Overarching S&T Policy Issues

Several issues of potential congressional interest apply to federal science and technology policy in general. In addition, there are dozens of informal congressional caucuses in areas of S&T policy such as research and development, specific S&T disciplines, and STEM education. For Further Information
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Science and Technology Policy ( [email address scrubbed] , [phone number scrubbed])
CRS Report RL34736, The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress , by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

		Federal Funding for Research and Development

The federal government has long supported the advancement of scientific knowledge and technological development through investments in research and development (R&D). This report included 212 recommendations for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy spanning a broad range of topics including ocean science and technology. For Further Information
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in Natural Resources Policy ( [email address scrubbed] , [phone number scrubbed])

	Energy

The science and technology related-energy issues that may come before the 113 th Congress include the funding and role of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and the Department of Energy Office of Science, reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, and the development of biofuels and of ocean energy technology.
Science and technology (S&T) have a pervasive influence over a wide range of issues confronting the nation. Public and private research and development spurs scientific and technological advancement. Such advances can drive economic growth, help address national priorities, and improve health and quality of life. The constantly changing nature and ubiquity of science and technology frequently create public policy issues of congressional interest.
The federal government supports scientific and technological advancement by directly funding research and development and indirectly by creating and maintaining policies that encourage private sector efforts. Additionally, the federal government establishes and enforces regulatory frameworks governing many aspects of S&T activities.
This report briefly outlines an array of science and technology policy issues that may come before the 113th Congress. Given the ubiquity of science and technology and its constantly evolving nature, some science and technology related-issues not discussed in this report may come before the 113th Congress. The selected issues are grouped into 11 categories:
Overarching S&T issues, Workforce and Education, Agriculture, Biomedical Research and Development, Physical Science and Material Sciences Defense, Space, Environment, Energy, Homeland Security, and Information Technology.
Each of these categories includes concise analysis of multiple policy issues. The information and analysis presented in this report should be viewed as introductory rather than comprehensive. Each section identifies available CRS reports and the appropriate CRS experts for further information and analysis.