The ISC itself describes this matter as a "longer term priority" and it has more than enough on its plate scrutinising more recent behaviour of the intelligence community.
Less than 24 hours after Barack Obama signalled that gun control would be a second term priority during a powerful speech on Sunday evening at a vigil for the victims in Newtown, at least two Democratic senators strongly identified with gun rights shifted position in favour of reform.
The BBC's Sameer Hashmi told BBC World: "[Mr Rajan] got a rock-star-welcome, but everyone is so shocked and surprised they don't know what to call him!" He added that Mr Rajan had said that his short term priority was dealing with inflation, as that would hurt growth in the long term.
Two of Obama's new nominees will also focus on another second term priority – tackling the threat of climate change.
It consists of a list of short term priority projects and medium to long term projects lasting up to 2030.
Similarly to COSTECH, the National Institute for Medical Research engaged in a long term priority setting process several years ago, and has recently completed its fourth priority setting cycle.
