Office of Science and Technology Policy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Office of Science and Technology Policy

Agency overview
Formed	May 11, 1976; 49 years ago (1976-05-11)
Preceding agency	Office of Science and Technology
Headquarters	Eisenhower Executive Office Building 725 17th Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Employees	45
Agency executive	Eric Lander, Director
Parent agency	Executive Office of the President
Website	Office of Science and Technology Policy

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is an important part of the United States government. It is a department within the Executive Office of the President (EOP). The EOP helps the President manage the country.

The U.S. Congress created the OSTP on May 11, 1976. Its main job is to give advice to the President. This advice is about how science and technology affect things at home and around the world.

The person who leads the OSTP is also called the President's Science Advisor. Since 2021, this role has been part of the United States Cabinet. The current director is Eric Lander, who started in 2021.

What the OSTP Does

The OSTP helps the President understand new ideas in science and technology. This includes everything from space exploration to new medicines. They make sure the President has the best scientific information. This helps the President make smart decisions for the country.

Helping the President with Science

The OSTP director works closely with the President. They explain complex science topics in an easy-to-understand way. This advice covers many areas, like health, energy, and national security. The goal is to use science to solve big problems.

Working with Other Groups

The OSTP also works with other important groups. For example, Dr. John Holdren was a past director. He helped lead the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). He also supported the President's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). These groups bring together smart people to discuss science and technology.

Leaders of the OSTP

The director of the OSTP is a very important role. They are the President's main science advisor. In 2021, President Joe Biden made the OSTP director's role part of the Cabinet. This means the science advisor now has a higher level of influence.

Recent Directors

Kelvin Droegemeier was nominated by President Donald Trump. He became the director in February 2019. After him, Eric Lander took over in 2021 under President Joe Biden.

Past Directors of the OSTP

Here is a list of the people who have led the Office of Science and Technology Policy:

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No.	Portrait	Name	President	Term
1		H. Guyford Stever	Gerald Ford	1976–1977
2		Frank Press	Jimmy Carter	1977–1981
		Benjamin Huberman (acting)	Ronald Reagan	1981
3		George A. Keyworth, II		1981–1985
		John P. McTague (acting)		1986
		Richard G. Johnson (acting)		1986
4		William Robert Graham		1986–1989
		Thomas P. Rona (acting)		1989
		William G. Wells (acting)	George H. W. Bush	1989
5		D. Allan Bromley		1989–1993
6		John H. Gibbons	Bill Clinton	1993–1998
		Kerri-Ann Jones (acting)		1998
7		Neal F. Lane		1998–2001
	[[File:Dean Rosina M. Bierbaum.jpg|75rowspan=3|George W. Bush	2001
		Clifford Gabriel (acting)	2001
8		John H. Marburger III	2001–2009
		Ted Wackler (acting)	Barack Obama	2009
9		John Holdren		2009–2017
10		Kelvin Droegemeier	Donald Trump	2019–2021
11		Eric Lander	Joe Biden	Since 2021

Images for kids

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  President Ford signing H.R. 10230, establishing the Office of Science and Technology Policy

See also

In Spanish: Oficina de Política de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Estados Unidos para niños