[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 8643-8645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02121]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 90 , No. 20 / Friday, January 31, 2025 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 8643]]
Executive Order 14177 of January 23, 2025
President's Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, and in order to establish an advisory council
on science and technology, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. The American story is one of
boundless creativity and bold ambition, driven by an
indomitable pioneering spirit that propels exploration
and discovery. It is this spirit that illuminated the
world with Edison's lightbulb, carried the Wright
brothers into the skies, and sent Armstrong to the
moon. Today, a new frontier of scientific discovery
lies before us, defined by transformative technologies
such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and
advanced biotechnology. Breakthroughs in these fields
have the potential to reshape the global balance of
power, spark entirely new industries, and revolutionize
the way we live and work. As our global competitors
race to exploit these technologies, it is a national
security imperative for the United States to achieve
and maintain unquestioned and unchallenged global
technological dominance. To secure our future, we must
harness the full power of American innovation by
empowering entrepreneurs, unleashing private-sector
creativity, and reinvigorating our research
institutions.
At the heart of scientific progress lies the pursuit of
truth. But this foundational principle, which has
driven every major breakthrough in our history, is
increasingly under threat. Today, across science,
medicine, and technology, ideological dogmas have
surfaced that elevate group identity above individual
achievement, enforce conformity at the expense of
innovative ideas, and inject politics into the heart of
the scientific method. These agendas have not only
distorted truth but have eroded public trust,
undermined the integrity of research, stifled
innovation, and weakened America's competitive edge.
This order establishes the President's Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology to unite the
brightest minds from academia, industry, and government
to guide our Nation through this critical moment by
charting a path forward for American leadership in
science and technology.
Sec. 2. Establishment. (a) There is hereby established
the President's Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology (PCAST).
(b) The PCAST shall be composed of not more than 24
members. The Assistant to the President for Science and
Technology (APST) and the Special Advisor for AI &
Crypto shall be members of the PCAST. If also serving
as the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, the APST may designate the U.S. Chief
Technology Officer as a member. The remaining members
shall be distinguished individuals and representatives
from sectors outside of the Federal Government
appointed by the President. These non-Federal members
shall have diverse perspectives and expertise in
science, technology, education, and innovation.
(c) The APST and the Special Advisor for AI &
Crypto shall serve as Co-Chairs of the PCAST. The Co-
Chairs may designate up to two Vice Chairs of the PCAST
from among the non-Federal members of the PCAST, to
support the Co-Chairs in the leadership and
organization of the PCAST.
Sec. 3. Functions. (a) The PCAST shall advise the
President on matters involving science, technology,
education, and innovation policy. The Council shall
also provide the President with scientific and
technical information
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that is needed to inform public policy relating to the
American economy, the American worker, national and
homeland security, and other topics.
(b) The PCAST shall meet regularly and shall:
(i) respond to requests from the President or the Co-Chairs for
information, analysis, evaluation, or advice;
(ii) solicit information and ideas from a broad range of stakeholders,
including the research community; the private sector; universities;
national laboratories; State, local, and Tribal governments; foundations;
and nonprofit organizations;
(iii) serve as the advisory committee identified in section 101(b) of the
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-194), as amended (15
U.S.C. 5511(b)), in which capacity the PCAST shall be known as the
President's Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee; and
(iv) serve as the advisory panel identified in section 4 of the 21st
Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (Public Law 108-153),
as amended (15 U.S.C. 7503), in which capacity the PCAST shall be known as
the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.
(c) The PCAST shall provide advice from the non-
Federal sector to the National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC) in response to requests from the NSTC.
Sec. 4. Administration. (a) The heads of executive
departments and agencies shall, to the extent permitted
by law, provide the PCAST with information concerning
scientific and technological matters when requested by
the PCAST Co-Chairs and as required for the purpose of
carrying out the PCAST's functions.
(b) In consultation with the Co-Chairs, the PCAST
is authorized to create standing subcommittees and ad
hoc groups, including technical advisory groups, to
assist the PCAST and provide preliminary information
directly to the PCAST.
(c) In order to allow the PCAST to provide advice
and analysis regarding classified matters, the Co-
Chairs may request that members of the PCAST, its
standing subcommittees, or ad hoc groups who do not
hold a current clearance for access to classified
information receive security clearance and access
determinations pursuant to Executive Order 12968 of
August 2, 1995 (Access to Classified Information), as
amended, or any successor order.
(d) The Department of Energy shall provide such
funding and administrative and technical support as the
PCAST may require, to the extent permitted by law and
as authorized by existing appropriations.
(e) Members of the PCAST shall serve without any
compensation for their work on the PCAST, but may
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving
intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C.
5701-5707).
(f) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act,
as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), may apply to the PCAST, any
functions of the President under that Act, except that
of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the
Secretary of Energy, in accordance with the guidelines
and procedures established by the Administrator of
General Services.
Sec. 5. Termination. The PCAST shall terminate 2 years
from the date of this order unless extended by the
President.
Sec. 6. Revocation. Executive Order 14007 of January
27, 2021 (President's Council of Advisors on Science
and Technology), as amended by Executive Order 14109 of
September 29, 2023 (Continuance of Certain Federal
Advisory Committees and Amendments to Other Executive
Orders), is hereby revoked.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or
the head thereof; or
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(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.
(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 23, 2025.
[FR Doc. 2025-02121
Filed 1-30-25; 8:45 am]
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