NSF MID-SCALE PROJECT INVESTMENTS.

SEC. 109. NSF MID-SCALE PROJECT INVESTMENTS. (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Foundation funds major research facilities, infrastructure, and instrumentation that provide unique capabilities at the frontiers of science and engineering. (2) Modern and effective research facilities, infrastructure, and instrumentation are critical to maintaining United States leadership in science and engineering. (3) The costs of some proposed research instrumentation, equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities fall between programs currently funded by the Foundation, creating a gap between the established parameters of the Major Research Instrumentation and Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction programs, including projects that have been identified as cost-effective additions of high priority to the advancement of scientific understanding. (4) The 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey recommended a mid-scale innovations program. (b) Mid-scale Projects.— (1) In general.—The Foundation shall evaluate the existing and future needs, across all disciplines supported by the Foundation, for mid-scale projects. (2) Strategy.—The Director of the Foundation shall develop a strategy to address the needs identified in paragraph (1). (3) Briefing.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Foundation shall provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress on the evaluation under paragraph (1) and the strategy under paragraph (2). (4) Definition of mid-scale projects.—In this subsection, the term “mid-scale projects” means research instrumentation, equipment, and upgrades to major research facilities or other research infrastructure investments that exceed the maximum award funded by the major research instrumentation program and are below the minimum award funded by the major research equipment and facilities construction program as described in section 507 of the AMERICA Competes Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-358; 124 Stat. 4008).