APLU Hails Passage of the America Competes Act

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today issued the following statement on the passage of the America Competes Act.

“House passage of the America Competes Act is a key step forward in securing American science and innovation leadership. We thank House leadership for its work to advance this legislation and Senate leadership for passing companion legislation last year.

[Read APLU’s Statement on the College Transparency Act as Part of the Competes Act]

“The Competes Act includes a host of provisions that are vital to enhancing U.S. science and innovation competitiveness. This includes enabling the National Science Foundation to create a new directorate focused squarely on helping springboard discoveries in the lab into practical applications in the marketplace to solve vexing societal challenges. We also appreciate the House’s focus on supporting research capacity building at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and Emerging Research Institutions. These institutions are major drivers of scientific talent and have an essential role in ensuring America’s STEM talent and innovations better reflects the diversity of the country. For the U.S. to be the global innovation leader, we must harness the talents of all our public research universities.

“The bill also supports increased authorized investment and program improvements for NSF, the Department of Energy Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In helping more international doctoral STEM graduates obtain green cards to stay in the U.S. after graduation, this bill would also shore up the U.S. innovation ecosystem and ensure we’re in a position to be the clear destination for the world’s brightest minds.

“We look forward to working with House and Senate leadership over the next few weeks to reach a final agreement. This historic science and innovation legislation should be sent to President Biden’s desk as soon as possible. Our nation’s competitiveness depends on it.”