Office of Science and Technology Policy 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and in collaboration with the European Commission, will hold the 2012 ``EU-U.S.: Bridging NanoEHS Research Efforts'' joint workshop on October 25-26, 2012 in Helsinki, Finland. The purpose of this workshop is to further promote and deepen the EU- U.S. collaboration on nanosafety research and to develop the Communities of Research (CoRs). The event is aimed at administrators, policy makers, decision makers, and scientists from the EU and the U.S. NNCO and the European Commission will also host meetings for the CoRs on the topic of environmental, health, and safety issues related to nanomaterials between the publication date of this Notice and September 30, 2013. These CoRs will provide a platform for scientists from the U.S. and EU to develop a shared repertoire of protocols and methods to overcome research gaps and barriers. The co-chairs for each CoR will convene meetings and set meeting agendas with administrative support from the European Commission and the NNCO. The CoRs directly address Goal 4.2 of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan: ``Develop tools and procedures for * * * international outreach and engagement to assist stakeholders in developing best practices for communicating and managing risks.'' However, the CoRs are not envisioned to provide any government agency with advice or recommendations. The CoRs were proposed at the first U.S.-EU workshop on Bridging NanoEHS Research Efforts, which was held in Washington, DC in March 2011. Based on feedback from the workshop participants, the following six CoR themes were announced in 2012: Exposure through the Life Cycle, with Material Characterization. Ecotoxicity Testing and Predictive Models, with Material Characterization. Predictive Modeling for Human Health, with Material Characterization. Databases and Ontologies. Risk Assessment. Risk Management and Control. The CoRs will hold several Webinars and/or conference calls between the publication date of this Notice and September 30, 2013. The envisioned end date for the CoRs is September 30, 2013.

The Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 (ARPA), Public Law 98-373, established the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) to develop national Arctic research policy five-year Federal research plans to implement ARPA. Chaired by the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), IARPC is composed of representatives from ten agencies. More information on IARPC can be found at: https:// www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/iarpc/start.jsp. The IARPC's Arctic Research Plan: FY2013-2017 (Five-Year Plan) describes research priorities for the next five years that are expected to benefit from interagency collaboration; not all research conducted by Federal agencies is included in the Five-Year Plan. The Five-Year Plan focuses on seven priority areas designed to enhance the goals and objectives of Federal agencies in Arctic research: (1) Sea ice and marine ecosystem studies. (2) Terrestrial ecosystem studies. (3) Atmospheric studies effecting energy flux. (4) Observing systems. (5) Regional climate models. (6) Adaptation tools for sustaining communities. (7) Human health.

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), will hold the ``2012 Regional, State, and Local (RSL) Initiatives in Nanotechnology Workshop'' on May 1-2, 2012. This workshop will bring together leaders of regional, state, and local organizations to engage in dialog with the Federal government; economic development groups; investors and entrepreneurs; technology leaders; and scientists and engineers from industry, business, government, and academia. The discussion will address a wide range of resource, organizational, and policy issues impacting RSL nanotechnology initiatives. The workshop, cosponsored by the Federal agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), will examine the current landscape of U.S. RSL nanotechnology initiatives and their status; RSL best practices, business models, resources, and opportunities for partnering; and the role of nanotechnology RSLs in future U.S. economic growth and job creation. Dates and Addresses: The workshop will be held at the Embassy Suites Portland-Downtown Hotel, 319 SW Pine Street, Portland, OR, 97204 on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. For directions, please visit www.nano.gov/RSL12. Registration: Due to space limitations, pre-registration for the workshop is required. Individuals planning to attend the workshop should register online at https://www.nano.gov/rslregistration. Written notices of participation by email should be sent to RSL12@nnco.nano.gov or mailed to RSL 2012 Workshop, c/o NNCO, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Stafford II, Suite 405, Arlington, VA 22230. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached; otherwise registration will close on April 27, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. Those interested in presenting 3-5 minutes of public comments at the meeting should also register at https://www.nano.gov/rslregistration. Written or electronic comments should be submitted by email to RSL12@nnco.nano.gov until April 27, 2012. The workshop will include an opportunity for any regional, state, or local nanotechnology initiative or related organization to present a poster explaining the activity. Meeting Accomodations: Individuals requiring special accommodation to access this public meeting should contact Halyna Paikoush by email (RSL12@nnco.nano.gov) or by telephone (410-467-9832) at least ten business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.