§5304 Operation of program

Summary

Within one year after October 15, 1990, the Secretary must ask for and, if money is available, pick proposals by competition to run the metal casting research program. Applicants must already have the technical ability to use existing research support and facilities, a research team with people from different fields who know metal casting or similar technologies, and facilities and equipment to do at least laboratory‑scale tests. Each proposal must show industry backing (industry helped choose the research, will help evaluate progress, and has committed funds), include matching funds from non‑Federal sources (cash or other items the Secretary can value), provide a single or multiyear management plan, give the yearly costs and a cost breakdown, and explain how research results will be shared with industry and other researchers. The management plan must say what work will be done, who will do it, the time frame, and how the project will be managed, monitored, changed if needed, and why the costs are reasonable. The Secretary will try to pick at least four proposals. Selections must best support needed metal casting research in one or more areas: solidification and casting technologies; computational modeling and design; processing for energy efficiency, material conservation, environmental protection, or productivity; or other areas the Secretary and the Board agree on. Choices should follow the Board’s annual “Metal Casting Research Priorities,” aim to include at least one winner from each of the four census regions where the industry is concentrated, show strong industry support, and ensure timely transfer of technology to industry. Selected projects will get financial and technical help from separate appropriations and will be called “National Metal Casting Research Institutes.”