The subcommittee has legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy including:
- Office of Science and Technology Policy;
- all scientific research, and scientific and engineering resources (including human resources), math, science and engineering education;
- intergovernmental mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting programs;
- international scientific cooperation;
- National Science Foundation;
- university research policy, including infrastructure and overhead;
- university research partnerships, including those with industry;
- science scholarships;
- issues relating to computers, communications, and information technology;
- earthquake and fire research programs including those related to wildfire proliferation research and prevention;
- research and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional programs;
- to the extent appropriate, agricultural, geological, biological and life sciences research; and
- materials research, development, and demonstration and policy.