West Virginia would benefit from legislation passed Thursday (Aug. 2) by Congress that authorizes major funding increases in National Science Foundation (NSF) research, as well as math and science teacher education, according to West Virginia Universitys president-elect.

The America COMPETES Act, or the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act, was approved by unanimous consent of the Senate and a wide margin in the House of Representatives.

Both U.S. Senators and all three House members from West Virginia supported the legislation.

We want to thank our Congressional delegation for taking a leadership role in the passage of this bipartisan legislation,said WVU President-elect Mike Garrison.Their strong support is in line with WVU s goal of enhancing its research enterprise especially in the area of energy, and boosting science, technology, engineering and mathematics or �€~STEMeducation.

West Virginia is well-prepared to be competitive both for the teaching funds and the research funds authorized in this legislation,Garrison said.

U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., said,In today’s global marketplace, the competition for ideas and talent is fierce. We are not just competing with our neighboring states, but with fast-growing nations like China and India. To compete, to create powerful economic momentum, we must invest in science and engineering. We must create new advanced manufacturing technologies. And we must invest in the education and training of our young people, helping them to develop the brain power that will drive the future of our state. This bill paves the way.

The measure has provisions that would:

Authorize $22 billion to the NSF over the next three fiscal years, plus $2.65 billion to the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Continue additional funding of the Department of Energys Office of Science which would benefit basic research and various university facilities nationwide, as well as create an early career grant for researchers and graduate research fellowships

West Virginia is on the cutting edge of research in cures for diseases and in scientific advancements that benefit our nation,said U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.Federal research funding has played a vital role in stimulating our economy by providing jobs and turning research departments at our colleges and universities into leading centers of innovation. To keep that track record going, we have to maintain critical funding for the development of current math and science teachers, and provide scholarships to attract the best and the brightest scientists into the teaching profession.