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119-s-3029119th CongressWALLET

DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act

Sponsored By: Senator Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

Introduced

Summary

Interagency DOE–NASA R&D coordination to fund joint research, share data, and align capabilities that support both space exploration and energy and Earth science missions. The bill would allow competitive awards, interagency agreements, and limited fund transfers so DOE and NASA can collaborate on mission-critical technologies and data infrastructure.

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  • Researchers, national laboratories, and universities would be eligible for merit-reviewed competitive awards from DOE and NASA, opening federal opportunities to Federal agencies, labs, colleges, and nonprofits.
  • NASA and DOE missions would gain shared R&D in areas like propulsion (including nuclear thermal and radioisotope systems), quantum information, space weather, satellite data processing, and Arctic and wildfire resilience. The agencies could also share DOE research infrastructure and invest in high-latitude ground stations and data centers.
  • The bill emphasizes workforce and regional impact by supporting STEM training in underserved and remote areas such as the Arctic and requires reports on coordination activities and outcomes within 2 and 3 years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Department of Energy and NASA research program

If enacted, the Department of Energy and NASA would run joint, cross-cutting research and development programs. They would make competitive, merit-reviewed awards to universities, national labs, nonprofits, companies, and other partners. The work could fund propulsion, quantum computing, Earth and Arctic science, wildfire and space weather resilience, satellite data, and workforce training. DOE and NASA could share labs, supercomputing, data, and enter reimbursable or nonreimbursable agreements. Activities must follow merit-review and applicable research security rules.

Federal agencies may transfer research funds to NASA

If enacted, federal departments and agencies could transfer existing research or education funds to NASA for space-related scientific or engineering grants. The head of the transferring agency must approve any transfer. Transferred funds would be merged into NASA appropriations and limited to grants or cooperative agreements for research or education. NASA would need to report transfers in its budget justification materials so Congress can see who transferred money and for what purpose.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

AK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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