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Partners in Science: Regions
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| Regional Science Program | Lead Region | National Regional Science Council | |
National Regional Science Council (NRSC)
The National Regional Science Council (NRSC) is composed of scientists and technical specialists representing each of the Regional Science Councils (RSCs) who work to (1) strengthen and enhance the use of science in the Agency by strengthening it in the Regions, and (2) help foster Agency science by promoting increased communication and coordination between the Regions, and ORD and the Program Offices. The NRSC meets regularly to discuss science/technology and related issues, to work on projects that are of multi-regional interest, and to advocate and make recommendations to Regional, ORD, and Program Office management concerning matters dealing with science needs, developments, and applications in the Regions.
Progress toward achieving the NRSC goals is measured by four metrics.
1. Improved quality of regional and national scientific work.
The NRSC meetings will provide a forum for scientists to discuss scientific/technical issues and exchange ideas; support peer and relevancy review of scientific products; provide a sounding board to management and staff for science-based decisions; support or develop scientific white papers, to assist science policy development; and identify and address barriers to improving quality.
2. Increased use of sound science in regional decision making.
The NRSC will assist in the regular identification of scientific expertise in the Regions, ORD, and Program Offices; help build Regional scientific knowledge and expertise; advocate for increased "short term" Regional science and technology activity through the Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) and Regional Methods (RM) Programs, and other means in order to strike a better balance between long-term research and short-term science needs; and by identifying and addressing Regional barriers to increasing science quality, capacity, coordination, and communication.
3. More effective planning of regional and national scientific work.
The NRSC will provide input to the national research planning efforts of ORD and the Program Offices by identifying, and prioritizing for action Regional science issues not on the national research agenda; promote communication and coordination among the RSCs; develop and implement an annual Regional Science Plan; and identify and help address barriers to effective planning.
4. Better communication of ongoing and completed scientific work.
The NRSC will promote the implementation and maintenance of an Agency-wide system for receiving and disseminating information on ongoing and completed ORD, Program Office, and Regional science activities; conduct or sponsor forums for scientific presentations; advocate appropriate Regional participation at national forums; identify and help address barriers to increased science communication; and provide a unifying voice for the Regions' message/perspective.