Discusses GAO's role to help ensure accountability and transparency for science funding in the Amer. Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The purposes of the Recovery Act funds include preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery; assisting those most impacted by the recession; investing in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure to provide long-term economic benefits; and stabilizing state and local gov¿t. budgets. The Recovery Act includes more than $21 billion in spending for R&D related activities. This statement discusses: GAO's respon. under the Act related to science funding; and particular R&D funding areas that deserve special attention to ensure that funds are best used.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: GAO's Role in Helping to Ensure Accountability and Transparency for Science Funding

This report responds to two ongoing mandates under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). It is the latest in a series of reports on the uses of and accountability for Recovery Act funds in 16 selected states, certain localities in those jurisdictions, and D.C. These jurisdictions are estimated to receive about two-thirds of the intergovernmental assistance available through the Recovery Act. This report also responds to a mandate to comment on the jobs estimated in recipient reports. The auditor collected and analyzed documents and interviewed state and local officials and other Recovery Act award recipients. He also analyzed federal agency guidance and spoke with individual federal officials. Illustrations.

This report, one in a series on the uses of and accountability for Recovery Act (RA) funds in selected states and localities, comments on recipients' reports of the jobs created and retained. The RA provided $2.1 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, primarily to expand services. This report addressed four questions: (1) How have Head Start and Early Head Start grantees used RA funds, including for expanding enrollment? (2) What challenges have grantees encountered in spending RA funds? (3) How has the Office of Head Start monitored the use of RA funds? (4) How has the quality of jobs data reported by RA recipients, particularly Head Start grantees, changed over time? Charts and tables. This is a print on demand publication.

This report is the latest in a series of reports on the uses of and accountability for Recovery Act funds in 16 selected states, certain localities in those jurisdictions, and the District of Columbia. These jurisdictions are estimated to receive about two-thirds of the intergovernmental assistance available through the Recovery Act. This report also responds to a mandate to comment on the jobs estimated in recipient reports. This report collected and analyzed documents and interviewed state and local officials and other Recovery Act award recipients. It also analyzed federal agency guidance and interviewed federal officials. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find report.