Since the last Lewis-Burke quarterly international newsletter in June of 2023, Congress has advanced most spending bills to provide appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which is due to begin on October 1, 2023. With time running out and no agreement on final appropriations, Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a lapse in appropriations and avoid a government shutdown. However, at the time of writing, infighting among House Republicans over spending levels and aid to Ukraine have prevented GOP lawmakers from reaching an agreement on short-term spending. Should there be a government shutdown, impacts could be far reaching and could impact programs focused on research, humanitarian aid, and foreign assistance. Outside of the annual appropriations process, international and domestic attention to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors and research security has continued – with significant attention in the U.S. Congress, as well as within the governments of international partners include the European Union and the United Kingdom and on the agenda of various multilateral forums.
This newsletter provides an overview of the latest policy developments in Washington, D.C.; updates on federal agency news including new funding opportunities and announcements; and a brief overview of science policy news around the globe that may impact U.S. international research and education activities.
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A VIEW FROM WASHINGTON
A VIEW FROM WASHINGTON This section provides an update on international policy developments in the federal government, the White House, and Congress. In addition, this edition also includes information about the Administration relevant to international science and higher education.
Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Update
This summer, both the House and the Senate Appropriations Committees advanced most of their 12 annual appropriations bills including the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bills, which provide funding for the Department of State (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), among others. Overall, the House bill aims to fund DOS and USAID at $52.5 billion, a 12.6% decrease relative to fiscal year 2023 enacted levels. The deepest cuts were to programmatic areas addressing climate change, global health programming, and certain humanitarian assistance programs. Even some programs with strong bipartisan support, including educational and cultural exchange, would see decreases. The House proposal included highly political policy riders that would advance pro-life policies, including an expanded Mexico City Policy, and prohibitions on the implementation of the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). On the other hand, the Senate bill funds DOS and USAID at $61.6 billion, a slight increase relative to FY 2023, with levels either flat or slightly decreased relative to prior year funding, including those programs of most interest to the academic community. For reference, the full House bill is available here, and the report language is available here. The full Senate bill is available here, and the report language is available here.
Although most appropriations bills have been introduced in each chamber, Congress has not yet passed spending bills and is not likely to do so before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. To avoid a lapse in funding and avoid a government shutdown, Congress must pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies and programs at FY 2023 levels while they continue to finalize FY 2024 appropriations. A narrow House Republican majority and increasing demands from conservative House Republicans for further funding cuts and controversial policy provisions increases the likelihood of a government shutdown. The impact on federal programs and associated grants and award management will depend on the length of the shutdown and guidance from the White House. If Congress passes a full year CR, the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires a 1 percent across the board cut to all defense and non-defense programs compared to FY 2023 enacted funding levels.
International Programs Face Unexpected Obstacles Being Re-Authorized
Congress has a busy fall legislative schedule with major deadlines and decisions looming on September 30, the end of the fiscal year and when major legislative packages authorizing and funding critical federal programs are set to expire. With the majority in both the House and Senate holding very narrow margins, passage of legislation is difficult. Some programs of interest to the international research and development communities that are experiencing unusual Congressional scrutiny are described below.
PEPFAR Re-Authorization – Congress is considering a fourth reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) this year. PEPFAR is considered one of the most successful global health programs responsible for saving millions of lives through reducing rates of HIV/AIDS – and improving public health infrastructure in many developing countries. While there was a bipartisan agreement among members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the PEPFAR authorization was going to be extended for a five-year period without additional changes, conservatives are now concerned that PEPFAR funds have been utilized to promote abortion services, despite the PEPFAR program policies clarifying that the program does not fund abortions consistent with longstanding legal restrictions.Without a re-authorization, the program would likely still be funded since it operates under permanent authorities. Nonetheless, without authorization, there are some time-bound provisions that would expire.
Farm Bill Re-Authorization – The Farm Bill, which provides authorization for domestic and international food assistance programs, support for U.S. farmers, and some agricultural research and conservation programs, is up for re-authorization every five years. At this stage, neither the House nor Senate has introduced draft text and it is unlikely that the bill will be extended before the end of this fiscal year. Nonetheless, bipartisan legislation has been introduced by members from California, Arkansas, and Kansas in both the House and Senate that would modify Title II of Food for Peace, a flagship U.S. foreign assistance program that provides U.S. commodities in both emergency and nonemergency settings. If included in the final Farm Bill re-authorization, the proposal would prevent aid recipients from spending money under Food for Peace on programs that support smallholder farmers around the world, requiring funds are spent on food grown by U.S. farmers. At this stage, since the Farm Bill is unlikely to pass within the next few months, it is unlikely that this proposal would be included, but is something to monitor as the legislation takes shape for those with an interest in USAID’s humanitarian assistance programs.
Rising Geopolitical Concerns Enhance Focus on Research Security
Research security remains an important priority for the Biden Administration, Congress, and federal agencies, especially as it relates to research security threats by the Chinese Communist Party. Federal agency efforts to address risks related to foreign influence in federally funded research, while still encouraging U.S. entities to engage in international collaborations, continue unabated. Pursuant to National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS and Science Act:
The National Security and Technology Council (NSTC) released revised Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support disclosure forms.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) released internal guidance detailing processes for carrying out data analytics to monitor risk, invited workshop proposals to inform a future Research on Research Security Program, and issued a solicitation to stand up a centralized risk assessment resource (now called the SECURE Center) to aid research institutions in identifying and mitigating risk.
The Department of Defense (DOD) released a policy on risk-based reviews of fundamental research proposals selected for award.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the final updated policy guidance for sub-award/consortium written agreements.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) also released a research security framework that “outlines methodologies and requirements for an integrated, mission-focused, risk-balanced approach for safeguarding international science and technology from undue foreign interference while protecting the openness and integrity of the U.S. research ecosystem.” The framework is intended to aid institutions as they stand up their risk assessment and mitigation capabilities.
The continued interest regarding foreign influence on collegiate campuses is further demonstrated by the recently released congressionally-mandated report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine titled Foreign-Funded Language and Culture Institutes at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education: Practices to Assess and Mitigate Risk. The report provides details on foreign-funded institutes on college campuses outside of Confucious Institutes and discusses the potential risks of these institutes, including threats to academic freedom, freedom of expression, national security, and control over governance of the institutes. The report provides examples of “red flag” actions that should prompt additional vetting by U.S. institutions of higher education and guidance on consideration for sensitivity of research when deciding what types of partnerships to enter into with foreign governments or universities.
Emerging Technology Legislation Update
As part of a broader U.S. competitiveness strategy, Congress plans to advance the National Quantum Initiative Act, which is up for reauthorization in December 2023. Congress is also meeting regularly to better understand the positive and negative impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and draft legislation to help regulate applications and uses while also maintaining U.S. leadership. AI legislation is not likely to pass before the end of the year, but legislative activity will be high around a number of bills that are likely to shape a future package next year. The Senate is also holding a series of closed sessions on AI, the first of which included Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and other tech leaders.
U.S. – India Collaborations Promoted to Boost Joint Efforts in Emerging Technologies and Defense
Following the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s, visit to the U.S. in June and the New Delhi Summit hosted by India as the G20 Presidency this September, there have been a range of activities highlighting the importance of enhanced cooperation between the U.S. and India. During the Prime Minister’s visit, the White House released a Fact Sheet that highlighted technology partnerships, defense partnerships, support for enhanced student exchanges and research collaborations, global leadership, and partnerships for sustainable development and global health. The White House also issued a joint statement from the U.S. and India that covered increased partnerships in technology and defense, catalyzing clean energy, enhancing areas of strategic convergence, advancing global growth, and “empowering future generations and protecting the health of our people.” The White House fact sheet welcomed the proposed launch of new Indo-U.S. Global Challenge Institutes that were suggested through an interim report from the India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). iCET involves the Association of American Universities’ (AAU) Task Force on Expanding U.S.-India University Partnerships and Indian counterparts. The proposed Indo-U.S. Global Challenge Institutes would focus on “(1) semiconductor technology and manufacturing; (2) sustainable agriculture and food security; (3) sustainable energy and the environment; (4) health equity and pandemic preparedness; and (5) critical and emerging technologies including AI, cybersecurity, and quantum science.” Given the range of topics included and therefore relevant funding agencies, future Institutes may be funded by non-federal sources such as philanthropic organizations. In a subsequent statement, AAU announced an agreement with Indian research universities to establish the Indo-U.S. Global Challenges Institute, “a virtual network of universities focused on fostering research partnerships and people-to-people exchanges.”
AT UNGA78 U.S. Joins 32 Nations in New Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, Promotes AI for Impact
On September 18 on the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78), 32 Atlantic countries including the United States adopted the Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation and launched a new multilateral forum called the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation. Through this partnership, participating countries, listed in the White House statement here, intend to implement an action plan that will focus on science and technology cooperation as well as on joint efforts to address shared priorities towards achieving the sustainable development goals including progress towards addressing climate change; environmental degradation; illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; piracy; and maritime governance. Also, of note to the academic community, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken chaired a session at UNGA78, co-hosted by Japan, Kenya, Morocco, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK) that brought together government leaders, technology partners, and other stakeholders to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be utilized to enhance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Secretary Blinken’s remarks from the summit are available here. More UNGA sessions and related side events focused on emerging and digital technologies and the potential for scientific cooperation to address global challenges are anticipated through September 26, when UNGA78 concludes.
FUNDING AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES This section provides information on federal agency activities of interest to the international research and education community across higher education. Presented below is information on student and faculty visas and international education; federal funding and agency engagement opportunities; and issues related to global health.
Education
DHS adds Eight STEM fields to Optional Practical Training Program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced the addition of eight science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields as qualifying fields of study for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The OPT program allows international students in the United States on F1 visa to work for a year in a job directly related to their field of study. Designation as a STEM qualifying field of study is important as students in those fields are able to extend their OPT experience for up to two additional years. The fields of study added were landscape architecture; institutional research, mechatronics, robotics, and automation engineering technology; composite materials technology; linguistics and computer science; developmental adolescent psychology; geospatial intelligence; and demography and population students. The addition of these fields comes after a larger expansion of the OPT program in January 2022, where twenty-two fields of study were added as STEM fields.
Federal Funding, Agency Engagement, and Other Opportunities
NSF DCL: NSF and the Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI) Lead Agency Opportunity in the Mathematical Sciences
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Mathematical Sciences and UEFISCDI released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to support international cooperation under the NSF-UEFISCDI Lead Agency Opportunity in Mathematical Sciences. Researchers in the U.S. and Romania can submit a single collaborative research proposal that will go through a single lead-agency review process. Applicants must submit an expression of interest (EOI) at least 60 days before submitting a full proposal.
NSF DCL: U.S.-UK Research Collaboration under the NSF-UKRI/Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Lead Agency Opportunity
NSF and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have signed a new MOU to support collaborative projects involving the NSF Directorates for Engineering (ENG), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), and Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) and the UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Applicants must submit an EOI at least three months before submitting a full proposal. Additional information is in the DCL here.
NSF International Multilateral Partnerships for Resilient Education and Science System in Ukraine (IMPRESS-U)
NSF recently announced a new collaboration with the Estonian Research Council (ETAG), the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), the Lithuania: Research Council of Lithuania (LT), the National Science Centre (NCN) and Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA), the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU), and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG), plus private donors and foundations. IMPRESS-U aims to “(1) support excellence in science and engineering research, education, and innovation through international collaboration and (2) promote and catalyze integration of Ukrainian researchers in the global research community.” Through this opportunity, the NSF Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) will accept EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals and supplemental funding requests to existing NSF awards. Proposals must include international collaborations in fields of research supported by NSF, including researchers from the U.S., Ukraine, and at least one other participating country. OISE plans to make 10-15 awards through IMPRESS-U. The DCL is available here and additional information is available on the OISE Ukraine page here.
NSF DCL: Guidelines for Collaborative Proposals between NSF and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of India
NSF and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of India have signed an agreement on research cooperation to support collaborative research projects. Joint proposals in certain topics areas (listed here) will be reviewed solely by NSF. NSF participating programs and Directorates include Engineering (ENG), Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) – Materials Research; and the Multi-directorate Programs: Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program. Proposals should be submitted by January 5, 2024. Additional details are in the full DCL here.
NSF DCL: UKRI/BBSRC – NSF/BIOLead Agency Opportunity in Biological Informatics, Systems Understanding of Host-Microbe Interactions, Synthetic Cells and Cellular Systems, and Synthetic Microbial Communities
This NSF DCL announced topics for the 2023/2024 topics associated with this lead agency agreement opportunity between the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The latest themes are Biological Informatics, Systems Understanding of Host-Microbe Interactions, Synthetic Cells and Cellular Systems, and Synthetic Microbial Communities. Applicants should submit a 2-page Expression of Interest to either NSF or BBSRC by September 27, 2023. Additional information is available here.
New NSF Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet) Solicitation
NSF has released its latest solicitation for the Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet) program, which aims to build collaborations between networks in the U.S. with other international networks. AccelNet supports Design projects at $300,000 for 1-2 years, and Implementation awards at up to $1.5 million for 3-4 years in all areas of research supported by NSF. Full proposals are due December 11, 2023, then in September annually thereafter. More information is available here.
NSF DCL: CO2 Removal and Solar Radiation Modification Strategies: Science, Governance and Consequences
NSF has issued a new DCL involving the Directorates for Geosciences (GEO) and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) to support research that aims to “increase understanding of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) science, governance, and consequences.” The DCL seeks research proposals submitted to certain GEO, SBE, and OISE programs that study “fundamental understanding and assessment of environmental processes, and/or social, cultural, and ethical impacts of CDR and SRM.” More information is here.
USAID Seeks Feedback on Sub-Opportunities Portal
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) welcomes feedback from those who have utilized the Work with USAID Sub-Opportunities Portal to inform improvements in matching prime partners to organizations who are interested in subcontracts or sub-awards. This tool may be especially important to universities and other scientific organizations interested to engage with USAID but who are not well placed to lead USAID contracts –or who have specialized, technical skills in research, data analysis, or that may be high utility across USAID sectors. All input should be sent to the Industry Liaison team. In addition, current USAID partners can continue to submit sub-opportunities here, look for sub-opportunities, and create profiles on the WorkwithUSAID.org website.
USAID Issues Biodiversity Annual Program Statement
The USAID Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation Natural Environment Branch, Biodiversity Division, (DDI/NE/Biodiversity) has released its Biodiversity Annual Program Statement (APS). Through the APS, USAID anticipates implementing its Biodiversity Policy to both conserve biodiversity and integrate biodiversity as a part of its approach to international development. Importantly, this includes the application of science, technology, and learning to enhance biodiversity conservation. While the APS itself is not a request for applications, it signals USAID’s intent to issue concept notes as addendum to the APS over the next year. While the APS does not stipulate the total number of awards, the total value of the APS is estimated at up to $49.5 million, subject to appropriations. More information is available here.
Global Health Opportunities
NIH Requests Climate Change Adaptation Case Studies for Publication
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Climate Change and Health Initiative and the Fogarty Center for Global Health Studies are inviting submissions of case studies focused on climate adaptation in lower- and middle-income countries to advance research on climate adaptation strategies and their impact on human health. Submissions of two-page proposals are welcomed from researchers and practitioners from around the world by October 16, 2023. 8-12 proposals will be selected to develop into full case studies for publication with limited financial support available. All publication and open-access fees will be covered by NIH. More information is available here. Questions can be submitted to FICClimateHealthCaseStudies@mail.nih.gov.
USAID Issues Request for Information to Improve Market Access for Global Health
The USAID Center for Innovation and Impact (CII) has issued a request for information to inform the design of a forthcoming funding opportunity titled “Local Market Access and Innovative Finance Activity”. The purpose of this activity is for USAID to acquire support services and technical assistance on a range of market access and innovative financing expertise to improve global health outcomes. Comments are welcome through September 28, 2023. More information is available here.
CDC Forecasts $275 million Global Health Immunization Program
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has forecasted a funding opportunity to support activities to strengthen immunization program implementation in high priority but unspecified countries. The full solicitation is anticipated on October 27, 2023, with applications expected to be due by December 26, 2023. CDC anticipates supporting six cooperative agreements, with a total funding level of up to $275 million. More information is available here.
Agency Updates
NCI Working Group Holds AI Engagement Series with European Union
The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Working Group held an engagement series with AI and data science experts from the European Union (EU) on “Equitable and Engaged AI to Advance Biomedical Research.” The overarching objective of the trans-continental meeting was to increase interactivity, facilitate collaboration building, and encourage open sharing of information and novel ideas on AI between the U.S. and EU research ecosystems. The three-day seminar series included panel sessions focusing on privacy preserving AI, community/patient engaged AI for biomedical research, and ethical AI and the inclusion of underserved communities. More information on the seminar series including an agenda and speaker biographies is available here.
NSF Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) Presents Vision to the National Science Board (NSB)
NSF OISE leadership, Dr. Kendra Sharp, presented the office’s new strategic vision, provided an update on international initiatives, collaborative opportunities, and challenges to the August National Science Board (NSB) meeting in August. The OISE strategy includes three key themes; Align OISE investments with NSF cross-cutting themes; Deepen and broaden international partnerships prioritized by a combination of science drivers and countries/regions; and Diversity funding approaches to include more inter-agency, industry, and philanthropy partners. Dr. Sharp outlined three models of international partnership at NSF, PI to PI catalyzed by NSF, direct bilateral, and direct multi-lateral, highlighting that NSF is working to transition bilateral agreements into more multi-lateral activities. Dr. Sharp also highlighted NSF’s visibility in science diplomacy strengthened by U.S. global leadership. The full OISE presentation can be viewed on the NSB YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-_Lf3lY4E) starting at 2:56 into the recording.
Biden Administration Announces Six Month Extension of the Agreement Between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology
In August, the Biden Administration announced that it has requested a six-month extension of the Agreement between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology, to negotiate its renewal ahead of its expiration on August 27, 2023. While this agreement had previously been renewed every five years since 1979 without controversy, the growing concern over China’s rising scientific power and the continuing growth of tensions between the United States and China have led to some concerns. For example, Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08), Chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and nine of his Republican colleagues wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urging him to let the agreement lapse due to the concern that fundamental research conducted under research partnerships facilitated through the science and technology agreement could support technologies that may be harmful to the United States. Supporters of the agreement point to benefits the United States has accrued from it, including the number of Chinese students that study at U.S. universities and end up immigrating to the and making lifelong contributions to our scientific R&D enterprise. They also argue that the U.S. and China cooperating on scientific problems benefits the global scientific community. While both the U.S. and Chinese governments have expressed interest in strengthening the agreement there have not been any public commitments about the agreement past the six-month extension.
USAID Cancels DEEP-VZN Project
The $125 million Discovery & Exploration of Emerging Pathogens – Viral Zoonoses (DEEP VZN) Program, was launched by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in October of 2021 to both train people in developing countries to both collect and characterize viruses found in animals, and to identify and develop strategies to thwart pathogens that might gain the capacity to jump to humans and spark a global pandemic. This July, USAID cancelled the program due to concerns about biosafety and biosecurity. The cancellation of this project calls into question the role that USAID will continue to play in helping to build capacity among developing country partners to respond to emerging viruses of pandemic potential. More details about the cancellation are available here.
Board for International Food and Agricultural Development Promotes Climate-Centric Approach to Food Security
On September 11th, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD) hosted a public meeting to discuss food, nutrition, and agriculture related topics. The first half of the meeting was focused on discussing the U.S. Government Global Food Security Research Strategy, with USAID Chief Climate Officer Gillian Caldwell, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security Chief Scientist Rob Bertram, and USDA Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics Chavonda Jacobs-Young emphasizing the importance of incorporating the “climate change lens” into agriculture and food research. The latter half of the meeting was intended to support the development and implementation of the agency’s 2022-2030 climate strategy, with the BIFAD Subcommittee on Systemic Solutions for Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation in Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems being allocated time to showcase research findings, set goals and expectations, and share potential recommendations from their draft report. USAID/BIFAD continues to work towards innovating their agriculture and food systems through research and annual events like this. More information on the event can be found here.
WHAT WE'RE READING This section provides a snapshot of global news of interest to the U.S. higher education community.
IPBES Releases Report on Invasive Species Trends, Prevention, and Control
A new international report states that invasive species cost the world more than $423 billion each year. The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published a new Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control on September 4. The report details current and projected threats of invasive species to global ecosystems, evaluates the effectiveness of various invasive species management strategies, and discusses the leading methods of introduction and spread of invasive species. In the document, IPBES states that human activities have introduced more than 37,000 invasive species, of which more than 3,500 are harmful invasive alien species, but maintains that many prevention methods, as well as early detection and rapid response (EDRR), have been demonstrated to be effective against establishment of alien species. The report specifically calls out the importance of sustained investments in research, innovation, and “environmentally sound technology” to enhance prevention and control of invasive species, as well as bolstering research capacity in certain regions, facilitating international collaboration and information sharing, and strategic engagement across governmental sectors and with external stakeholders including the scientific community. A summary of the report is available here.
World Bank Reforms Reignite on the Global Stage
Debates about how the World Bank should meet its mission have reignited in light its role in addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the war in Ukraine. With the new leadership of Ajay Banga and competition due to emerging financial institutions including the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), experts have been advocating for significant reform. No matter what direction the Bank goes in, it will have significant global economic impact by shaping financial markets and influencing the extent that developing countries are able to adopt digital technologies and train the next generation workforce. Earlier this year, Banga proposed to increase the bank’s financial capacity by $50 billion over this decade, with the expectation that this will increase six-fold the total lending the bank can lend to developing countries. In addition, the proposed reforms also propose that bank shareholders, including the United States and other wealthy countries, guarantee loans if developing countries are unable to pay them back. The U.S. supports these reforms and Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen and President Biden have promoted the increased capitalization and a shift the focus of the bank significantly towards addressing climate change and pandemic preparedness at the G20 and elsewhere. In contrast, African States, have proposed that the World Bank to continue its focus on poverty alleviation by focusing on the provision of “basic public goods” with an emphasis on food, water, and energy security.
UK to Hold First Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence
The UK will host the first global summit on AI on November 1-2, 2023, involving world leaders from international governments, industry, and academia. The summit will “consider the risks of AI, especially at the frontier of development, and discuss how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action.” More information on the summit is available here. The summit was announced during a visit to the U.S. in June by the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The accompanying press release stated, “The UK and US are two of the only three countries in the world to have a tech industry valued at more than $1 trillion. This is thanks, in part, to the strength of our universities and research institutions – between us, our countries are home to 7 of the world’s top 10 research universities.”
UK and EU Agree Deal for UK Participation in Horizon Europe
On September 7, the EU and UK announced a new agreement for UK researchers to participate in Horizon Europe. Following the UK’s departure from the EU at the start of 2020, the UK’s participation in the world’s largest research collaboration program was uncertain. As the former largest recipient of Horizon program funding, the UK will now continue to participate as a fully associated member for the rest of Horizon Europe to 2027. Further information is available here.
Germany’s Economic Outlook Forecasts Potential Budget Cuts
As Germany works to avoid an economic recession due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and a reliance on Russia for energy security—the country is now facing significant budget cuts. The 2024 federal budget provides 445.7 billion euros for revenues and expenditures, nearly 31 billion euros less than the current fiscal year. Reduced spending is likely to heavily impact education, healthcare, and childcare. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development acknowledges Germany’s currently lackluster economy in their Economic Snapshot for the country, but maintains a “things get worse before they get better” view, projecting that the Western Europe country’s economy will begin to rebound by 1.3% in 2024, following restructured and expanded domestic supply chains-specifically in the energy space. In support of this, the German Cabinet approved an equivalent of $63.2 billion for green initiative investments, independent of Germany’s investments in research and development for clean energy technologies, as a part of their broader climate strategy. Berlin is hopeful that the expanded public investment in energy initiatives and R&D will produce significant research and development in the coming years.
Impacts of the War in Ukraine on Academics
The U.S. Ambassador to Poland and international science leaders convened in Warsaw on June 29, 2023, to celebrate Ukrainian scientists chosen for substantial, long-term funding. Eighteen Ukrainian research teams, spanning diverse scientific fields, were granted approximately $8 million in total funding, providing them with the stability needed to advance their projects. The international community, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the Polish Academy of Sciences, were supportive of this effort as a demonstration of solidarity amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These international solidarity commitments continue to be a growing part of larger efforts that are needed to help support researchers continue their work. In a report issued by the International Science Council, they state governments, institutions of higher education, and other scientific organizations need to stand together and be open, inclusive, and flexible in supporting displaced Ukrainian researchers and continue to coordinate and communicate collaborative responses that strengthen Ukrainian scientists and science systems in their time of need.
US Workers are Helping Expand Australia’s Tech Industry
An August 2023 report commissioned by Microsoft Australia and LinkedIn and prepared by Accenture, titled Harnessing the Hidden Value, showcases the positive impact US tech workers have had on Australia’s tech industry in recent years, most notably since the 2021 formation of the multifaceted AUKUS alliance. Currently, US-tech firms in Australia employ over 102,000 Australians, accounting for one-in-five tech-related/adjacent Australia graduates. United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, stated that she expects the renewed US-Australia relationship to spur innovation and developments in crucial emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and biotechnology. Kennedy and the report also mention tech-supported green initiative collaboration between US and Australian researchers. Expect to see continued technological cooperation between the US and Australia and growth in Australia’s tech industry in the coming years.
Chinese Draft Law Recommends Revocation of Degrees for Graduates Caught Using AI for Academic Papers
China’s National People’s Congress is currently reviewing a draft law that would revoke the degrees of graduates from Chinese universities if they are found to have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write academic essays or thesis dissertations. This bill is an update of a 2013 law that aimed to eliminate falsification of research data, plagiarism, and researchers lying about their credentials. In addition to allowing the revocation of degrees for the use of AI, the draft law would also allow for institutions of higher education to revoke a degree if they found the student had lied about their identity or admissions qualifications or utilized bribes to gain admission. The National People’s Congress has not announced a public timeline for the review of the draft law, and there is the potential for the law to become a part of the Chinese government’s larger effort to create it first national AI law, which it will be working on throughout 2023 and 2024.
Chinese Researchers Leaving United States Due to Increasingly Tense Research Environment
A new report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal found that increasingly, Chinese researchers are leaving the U.S. to take positions in China or at universities in other Western countries. Between 2010 and 2021, the number of Chinese scientists who left the U.S. for another country grew from 900 to 2,621. This is due to both an effort by the Chinese government to recruit top talent back to China and growing tensions between the two countries creating a suspicious and sometimes tense research environment for Chinese scientists at U.S. universities. Chinese scientists are leaving the U.S. as its students face higher barriers to entry to study here due to delays in visa processing and American students express a growing disinterest in studying Chinese language and culture. Experts in scientific collaboration between the U.S. and China worry that the combination of these factors, all of which are influenced by the increasing geopolitical tensions with the Chinese Communist Party, will put the U.S. at a scientific and technological disadvantage and result in a lack of understanding in the U.S. about the Chinese government.
