Helping America compete through more effective use of scientific and technical information: An opportunity for office of science and technology policy leadership

Abstract

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is authorized by statute to provide policy leadership on all aspects of the Nation's science and technology infrastructure, including scientific and technical information (STI). STI is important to maximizing the return on the annual Federal investment in research and development, improving U.S. innovation and competitiveness, and solving national and international problems in fields such as medicine, climate change, energy, defense, and agriculture. Until recently, OSTP has paid little attention to STI.1 OSTP now has a golden opportunity to establish itself as a major policymaking, coordinating, and leadership presence in STI. This will require an OSTP staff commitment to STI issues and new or upgraded interagency coordinating and external advisory mechanisms on STI.