H.R. 254: American Science First Act

The bill titled the American Science First Act aims to establish restrictions on the National Science Foundation (NSF) regarding the awarding of grants and other forms of assistance. Here are the key components of the bill:

Prohibitions on Grants

The bill specifically prohibits the Director of the National Science Foundation from providing financial assistance such as grants to any individual or organization that:

• Is affiliated with or has a relationship (very broadly defined to include research partnerships, joint ventures, or contracts) with entities listed in Supplement No. 4 of part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations.
• Is included on lists maintained by the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 and the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. These lists typically include companies that are believed to be engaged in activities that could threaten national security.
• Includes any parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate that is owned or controlled by the above-mentioned entities.

Definitions and Regulations

The bill references the Export Administration Regulations, which are federal regulations that govern the export of goods, services, and technology from the United States. The aim is to prevent sensitive technologies and information from potentially falling into the hands of adversarial nations or entities.

Purpose of the Bill

The overarching purpose of this bill is to ensure that U.S. federal funds, particularly those allocated by the NSF for scientific research and development, do not support or benefit organizations linked to Chinese communist military companies. It reflects a broader concern about national security and the potential risks associated with international collaborations that include entities deemed hostile to U.S. interests.

Impact of the Bill

If this bill is enacted, it would further formalize the restrictions on collaborations between U.S. researchers and Chinese military-affiliated companies. This could impact various fields of research, particularly those involving advanced technologies.

Relevant Companies

• BABA - Alibaba Group: May be impacted due to its affiliations and past collaborations with military-linked entities in China.
• TCEHY - Tencent Holdings: Potential restrictions on research funding could affect collaborations in technology fields.
• TSM - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company: Could experience cascading effects due to its involvement in technological developments with entities that might be on the restricted list.