To Strengthen the Federal Government-University Research Partnership

Executive Order 13185 of December 28, 2000

To Strengthen the Federal Government-University
Research Partnership

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, and in order to keep the Federal Government-
University research partnership strong, it is hereby
ordered as follows:

Section 1. Principles of the Government-University
Partnership. The partnership in science and technology
that has evolved between the Federal Government and
American universities has yielded benefits that are
vital to each. It continues to prove exceptionally
productive, successfully promoting the discovery of
knowledge, stimulating technological innovation,
improving the quality of life, educating and training
the next generation of scientists and engineers, and
contributing to America's economic prosperity and
national security. In order to reaffirm and strengthen
this partnership, this order sets forth the following
guiding and operating principles that are fully
described in the April 1999 National Science and
Technology Council report, “Renewing the Government-
University Partnership.” These principles shall
provide the framework for the development and analysis
of all future Federal policies, rules, and regulations
for the Federal Government-University research
partnership.

    (a) The guiding principles that shall govern
interactions between the Federal Government and
universities that perform research are:
    (1) Research is an investment in the future;
    (2) The integration of research and education is
vital;
    (3) Excellence is promoted when investments are
guided by merit review; and
    (4) Research must be conducted with integrity.
    (b) The operating principles that shall assist
agencies, universities, individual researchers, and
auditing and regulatory bodies in implementing the
guiding principles are:
    (1) Agency cost-sharing policies and practices must
be transparent;
    (2) Partners should respect the merit review
process;
    (3) Agencies and universities should manage
research in a cost-efficient manner;
    (4) Accountability and accounting are not the same;
    (5) The benefits of simplicity in policies and
practices should be weighed against the costs;
    (6) Change should be justified by need and the
process made transparent.
    (c) Each executive branch department or agency that
supports research at universities shall regularly
review its existing policies and procedures to ensure
that they meet the spirit and intent of the guiding and
operating principles stated above.

Sec. 2. Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) Review
of the Government-University Research Partnership. (a)
The OSTP, in conjunction with the National Science and
Technology Council, shall conduct a regular review of
the Government-University research partnership and
prepare a report on the status of the partnership. The
OSTP should receive input from all departments or
agencies that have a major impact on the Government-
University partnership through their support of
research and education, policy making, regulatory
activities, and research administra tion. In addition,
OSTP may seek the input of the National Science Board
and the President's Committee of Advisors for Science
and Technology, as well as other stakeholders, such as
State and local governments, industry, the National
Academy of Sciences, and the Federal Demonstration
Partnership.

    (b) The purpose of the review and the report is to
determine the overall health of the Government-
University research partnership, being mindful of the
guiding and operating principles stated above. The
report should include recommendations on how to improve
the Government- University partnership.
    (c) The Director of OSTP shall deliver the report
to the President.

Sec. 3. Judicial Review. This order does not create any
enforceable rights against the United States, its
agencies, its officers, or any person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    December 28, 2000.