WASHINGTON – After passing both the House of Representatives and the Senate, President Obama will soon sign into law the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which includes four bipartisan pieces of legislation authored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) focused on supporting science, manufacturing, and small business.

“I’m thrilled Congress came together in a bipartisan way to pass this critical legislation to jumpstart America’s innovation economy and sharpen our country’s competitive edge,” said Senator Coons. “I’m pleased many of the priorities I’ve been fighting for in the Senate were included in this bill, such as my proposal to help the government utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science in tackling a range of challenges facing our country. This bipartisan bill also includes my legislation to strengthen and expand two key federal programs that support manufacturing companies and train scientists and engineers to start new businesses.” 

A list of Senator Coons’ priorities that were included in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act are below:

Promoting open science, innovation in government
Senator Coons secured his proposal to encourage and increase the use of crowdsourcing and citizen science within the federal government to advance and accelerate scientific research, literacy, and diplomacy. This is the first ever legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), to grant explicit authority to the government to use these methods. Specifically, it provides clarification and guidelines for government agencies to utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science methods, harnessing the resourcefulness and innovation of the public to solve problems without requiring any new funding or authorizations. Delaware Nature Society, The Nature Conservancy, Stroud Water, and the National Park Service are all using open science to monitor and improve water quality in Delaware and learn more about Delaware’s environment. Congressmen Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), David McKinley (D-WV-01) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06) championed a companion bill in the House.

Improving the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program
Senator Coons secured his proposal, co-sponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Angus King (I-Maine), to expand and improve the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to better serve small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. The MEP program is the premier federal program addressing critical needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers. MEP centers offer resources that enable manufacturers to compete globally, support greater supply chain integration, and provide access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Built on a nationwide network of centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP program is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of private sector entities that serve as trusted business advisors and technical experts to thousands of small and medium-sized manufacturers. For years, the Delaware MEP has helped Delaware manufacturers train employees and implement process improvements that allow these important businesses to grow and create jobs.

Strengthening the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps program
Senator Coons secured his proposal, co-sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), to expand and improve the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) highly successful Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program that trains scientists and engineers with the skills needed to start new businesses and create new jobs. I-Corps connects scientists and engineers with the technological, entrepreneurial, and business communities necessary to move discoveries from the laboratory to the market.  This bill builds on NSF’s recent success with I-Corps to help create regional networks for innovation by providing researchers, students, and universities with the training and resources they need to develop products and services that benefit the economy and society. University of Delaware’s Horn Program and many students hoping to create their own companies have benefited from I-Corps. 

Bolstering the field of sustainable chemistry
Senator Coons secured part of his proposal, co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), to support research in the field of sustainable chemistry.  Sustainable chemistry is an innovative field that creates jobs and spurs economic development in the private sector, and includes goals such as reducing chemical risk to human health and the environment, increasing efficient use of resources, and designing products and processes with consideration of the entire lifecycle.  The legislation makes clear the importance and benefits of sustainable chemistry, and reaffirms the importance of the NSF’s Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research Program.  Delaware is home to a number of chemical companies like Croda and White Dog Labs that are seen as leaders in sustainable chemistry.