Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program (NITRD)

ABOUT THE NITRD PROGRAM The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program is the Nation’s primary source of federally funded research and development (R&D) in advanced information technologies (IT) in computing, networking, and software. NITRD is among the oldest and largest of formal Federal programs that coordinate the activities of multiple agencies to tackle multidisciplinary, multitechnology, and multisector R&D needs. The 23 NITRD member agencies now invest approximately $5 billion annually in R&D programs that identify, develop, and transition to practical use the advanced networking and IT capabilities needed by the Federal Government and the Nation. Advanced networking and IT capabilities underpin U.S. technological leadership in the world, as well as American military superiority, national security, economic prosperity, energy dominance, health, innovation, maintenance of a cutting-edge IT research infrastructure, and expansion of the skilled cyber-enabled workforce. NITRD’s interagency communication and collaboration in IT R&D leverage agency strengths, help avoid duplication, and foster development of interoperable systems, thus improving the cost-effectiveness of Federal research investments. The NITRD collaboration framework also supports individual and joint agency outreach to academia and industry to foster alliances and strengthen the national innovation ecosystem. Under the current Administration, the NITRD Program has enhanced Federal R&D and community engagement across NITRD's broad portfolio of information technology R&D through interagency reports, community presentations, information portals, and expert convenings. Here are highlights of recent NITRD accomplishments. ORGANIZATION The NITRD Program is managed by the Subcommittee on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD Subcommittee) of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Science and Technology Enterprise (CSTE) and operates under the aegis of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). NITRD Organization Chart The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) was established by the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-282) to provide the President and others within the Executive Office of the President with advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of the economy, national security, homeland security, health, foreign relations, the environment, and the technological recovery and use of resources, among other topics. OSTP leads interagency science and technology policy coordination efforts, assists the Office of Management and Budget with an annual review and analysis of Federal research and development in budgets, and serves 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. More information is available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is the principal means by which the Executive Branch coordinates science and technology policy across the diverse entities that make up the Federal research and development enterprise. A primary objective of the NSTC is to ensure science and technology policy decisions and programs are consistent with the President's stated goals. The NSTC prepares research and development strategies that are coordinated across Federal agencies aimed at accomplishing multiple national goals. The work of the NSTC is organized under committees that oversee subcommittees and working groups focused on different aspects of science and technology. More information is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/nstc. The NITRD Subcommittee comprises senior representatives of the 23 Federal member agencies and departments that invest in IT-related R&D programs, as well as representatives of OSTP and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Subcommittee interacts routinely with Congress, OMB, OSTP, and the Federal agencies with budgets and interests in IT R&D. It meets in person three times a year, and online as needed, to plan, review, and coordinate NITRD policies, programs, and activities. The NITRD Subcommittee is co-chaired by the Director of the NITRD NCO and an OSTP-designated representative from among the NITRD member agencies (NITRD Subcommittee and Group Co-Chairs). Each NITRD Subcommittee member agency identifies a primary representative and an alternate to the NITRD Subcommittee. (NITRD Subcommittee Representatives and Alternates). ↑ Top LEGISLATION The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program (formerly known as High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program) was created by the High Performance Computing Act of 1991, (P.L. 102-194) and amended by the Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-305), and the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69). NITRD was reauthorized by Congress in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017 (P.L. 114-329). High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 [As Amended Through P.L. 110–69, Enacted August 9, 2007] High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 [As Amended Through P.L. 114–329, Enacted January 6, 2017] (This unofficial version is provided by the NITRD National Coordination Office) American Innovation and Competitiveness Act 2017 (Public Law 114-329) Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Modernization Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-329 SEC. 105) America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69) High-Performance Computing and Networking (Public Law 110-69 SEC. 7024) Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-305) High Performance Computing Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-194) ↑ Top PCAST The NITRD authorizing language mandates a periodic review of the program’s activities, progress, and direction. The reviews are performed by a working group consisting of members of the President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology (PCAST) and outside experts from the fields covered by the NITRD program, as needed. The working group and PCAST often consult with government agencies, leading academic and national laboratory experts, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to assess the state of research and development in IT fields, the preparation of the future IT workforce, and the coordination of IT activities. The working group also assesses the operation and effectiveness of the coordination activities carried out by the NITRD Subcommittee. PCAST Reports on NITRD: Ensuring Leadership in Federally Funded Research and Development in Information Technology, PCAST Report, August 11, 2015. Designing a Digital Future: Federally Funded Research and Development in Networking and Information Technology, PCAST Report, January 17, 2013. Designing a Digital Future: Federally Funded Research and Development in Networking and Information Technology, PCAST Report, December 16, 2010. ↑ Top MEMBER AGENCIES The following Federal departments and agencies conduct or support R&D in advanced networking and information technologies, report IT research budgets in the NITRD budget crosscut, and provide support for NITRD Program coordination: Department of Commerce (DOC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Military Services: Air Force, Army, Navy National Security Agency (NSA) Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (DOE/CESER) Office of Science (DOE/SC) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) Department of the Interior (DOI) U.S. Geological Survey Department of Justice (DOJ) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Department of State (DOS) Department of State (DOS) Independent Agencies National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) National Science Foundation (NSF) DARPA DHS DoD DOE DOE/NNSA DOI DOT FDA NARA NASA NIH NIJ NIST NOAA NSF USDA VA 279.2 72.1 72.1 1,291 935.9 40 40 1.7 1.7 16.2 16.2 38.5 38.5 0.2 0.2 139.3 139.3 1,156.8 7 7 167.2 167.2 42.9 42.9 1,299.5 13.1 13.1 5.2 5.2 Agency Budget DARPA 279.2 DHS 72.1 DoD 1,291 DOE 935.9 DOE/NNSA 40 DOI 1.7 DOT 16.2 FDA 38.5 NARA 0.2 NASA 139.3 NIH 1,156.8 NIJ 7 NIST 167.2 NOAA 42.9 NSF 1,299.5 USDA 13.1 VA 5.2 NITRD FY2020 Budget ($ in Millions) by Agency [source] Representatives of over 40 other Federal departments and agencies participate in NITRD activities and have mission interests in advanced networking and IT R&D and applications; they support NITRD Program coordination but do not participate in the NITRD Subcommittee. ↑ Top NITRD PROGRAM BUDGET REPORTING NITRD PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET The annual NITRD Program Supplement to the President’s Budget provides a technical summary of NITRD research investments and activities planned and coordinated through the NITRD Program in a given Federal budget cycle, as required by the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194) and reauthorized by Congress in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017 (P.L. 114-329). The budget reporting and technical program summaries are organized by NITRD Program Component Areas (PCAs). The Supplement provides NITRD members’ budget reporting for the most recently completed budget cycle, the current budget cycle, and the budget requests for the next fiscal year. Budget information for the entire span of the NITRD Program, mirroring that reported in the annual Supplements, is captured in visual and interactive forms in the NITRD Dashboard. PROGRAM COMPONENT AREAS (PCAs) The NITRD PCAs are major subject areas for Federal IT R&D. PCAs are intended to facilitate budgetary comparisons from year to year in each area. The PCA set evolves over time, reflecting changes in IT R&D activities at Federal agencies and IT R&D priorities of the Administration. NITRD's FY2020 PCAs are: AI - Artificial Intelligence CHuman - Computing-Enabled Human Interaction, Communication, and Augmentation CNPS - Computing-Enabled Networked Physical Systems CSP - Cyber Security and Privacy EdW - Education and Workforce EHCS - Enabling-R&D for High-Capability Computing Systems HCIA - High-Capability Computing Infrastructure and Applications IRAS - Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems LSDMA - Large-Scale Data Management and Analysis LSN - Large-Scale Networking SPSQ - Software Productivity, Sustainability, and Quality 11.9% 10.1% 11.6% 9.8% 8.4% 8.5% 6.1% 23.9% AI 11.9% CHuman 10.1% CSP 11.6% CNPS 2.9% HCIA 23.9% EHCS 6.1% LSDMA 8.5% LSN 8.4% IRAS 9.8% SPSQ 4.1% EdW 2.7% PCA Budget AI 654.4 CHuman 556.7 CSP 638.4 CNPS 159.4 HCIA 1,313.6 EHCS 333.1 LSDMA 466.1 LSN 463.2 IRAS 537.7 SPSQ 225.8 EdW 147.4 NITRD FY2020 Budget ($ in Millions) by PCA [source] ↑ Top INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUPS The NITRD technical coordination efforts are focused in its Interagency Working Groups (IWGs) where member- and participating-agency representatives exchange information and collaborate on research plans and activities such as testbeds, workshops, and cooperative solicitations. Such activities enable agencies to coordinate and focus their R&D resources on important, shared problems with the common goals of making new discoveries, developing new technological solutions, and transitioning those to practical use. Additional benefits accrue from cultivating a vibrant scientific and intellectual enterprise in which researchers across various agencies, disciplines, and sectors share ideas and results, speeding the overall pace of innovation. The NITRD IWGs are: Artificial Intelligence R&D Big Data Computing-Enabled Networked Physical Systems Cyber Security and Information Assurance Health IT R&D High End Computing Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems Large Scale Networking Privacy R&D Software Productivity, Sustainability, and Quality Wireless Spectrum R&D ↑ Top NITRD NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE (NCO) The NITRD National Coordination Office (NCO) provides day-to-day support to the NITRD Program, the NITRD Subcommittee, and its IWGs by providing technical staff expertise, planning, coordination, point of contact, physical and virtual meeting venues, and administrative assistance for Program activities. The NCO continuously seeks to enhance its ability to be a catalyst for collaboration, exchange of information, and outreach to foster knowledge, methods, R&D, technology transfer, and innovation for U.S. global leadership in networking and information technology and their applications. The budget for the NCO is set by the NITRD Subcommittee. Key NCO Activities on behalf of the NITRD Program and in cooperation with its oversight and participating bodies are as follows: Prepare and disseminate the NITRD Supplements to the President’s Budget, which provides annual budgetary and program summaries for agency research activities planned and coordinated through NITRD, as required by law. Prepare and disseminate other NITRD documents and resources, such as multiagency strategic plans, workshop reports, recommendations on specific R&D topics, and Federal agency resource guides in specific areas of interest to the Nation’s IT community. Maintain the NITRD website, including its electronic publications library, news updates about current NITRD activities, and the Federal IT resource guides and inventories. Support external reviews by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) of the NITRD Program, transmit the results of these evaluations to Congress, and undertake to effect positive changes in the Program in response to the reviews. Hold public meetings and provide expert presentations on IT topics, as appropriate. ↑ Top HISTORY OF NITRD FUNDING In its first annual report to the Congress, NITRD - then the HPCC Program - reported an estimated FY1991 multiagency budget of $489.4 million and a proposed FY1992 budget of $638.3 million. Eight Federal agencies were represented in that budget: DARPA, DOE, EPA, NASA, NIH, NIST, NOAA, and NSF. Since 1991, the NITRD program has evolved to address the dramatic expansion in information technologies, applications, and Government needs by adjusting the R&D focus to address emerging areas of interest. Today, there are 23 agency members of the NITRD Program, which now encompasses more than $5.5B in Federal IT R&D reported in FY2020. Additional information on NITRD-related R&D expenditures may be found at the NITRD dashboard website. History of NITRD Funding 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Fiscal Year Budget ($ in Millions) FY Total 2000 1,546 2001 1,928.4 2002 1,830 2003 1,976 2004 2,115 2005 2,256 2006 2,855 2007 2,967 2008 3,341.1 2009 3,882.2 2010 3,793.2 2011 3,727 2012 3,809.4 2013 3,567.6 2014 3,885.6 2015 4,378.6 2016 4,858.6 2017 5,126.4 2018 5,310.5 2019 5,700.5 2020 5,505.8 ↑ Top DIRECTORS Kamie Roberts Kamie Roberts (August 2018 - present) Bryan Biegel Bryan Biegel (August 2016 - August 2018) Keith Marzullo Keith Marzullo (June 2015 - July 2016) George O. Strawn George O. Strawn (November 2009 - June 2015) Ernest L. McDuffie Ernest L. McDuffie acting director (September 2009 - November 2009) Christopher L. Greer Christopher L. Greer (October 2007 - September 2009) Charles Romine Charles Romine acting director (January 2007 - October 2007) Simon Szykman Simon Szykman (May 2005 - January 2007) David B. Nelson David B. Nelson (December 2002 - April 2005) Cita M. Furlani Cita M. Furlani (October 2000 - November 2002) Kay Howell Kay Howell (December 1997 - September 2000) Sally E. Howe Sally E. Howe acting director (July 1997 - December 1997) John C. Toole John C. Toole (March 1995 - July 1997) Donald A.B. Lindberg Donald A.B. Lindberg (September 1992 - March 1995)