§19114 Research and Development Awards

Summary

The Director must run competitive award programs to fund research and tech development in the Directorate’s key focus areas, including projects that address the challenges named in section 19107. The awards are meant to speed up tech breakthroughs and help new tech get used. Eligible recipients can include colleges, research centers, nonprofits, private companies, consortia, and other groups the Director allows. The Director must also fund short-term deployments, including through SBIR and STTR, that can be completed within 24 months. Up to $1,000,000,000 is authorized from Directorate funds for these activities for fiscal years 2023 through 2027. The Director may set goals, deadlines, and measures to judge progress and continued funding. When choosing awardees, the Director must consider at least: how well the project fits the focus areas and its potential for major advances; the current state of similar technologies, novelty, and risk; ethical, social, safety, and security effects; clear measurable goals and an evaluation plan; and a plan to develop and, if appropriate, commercialize the technology in the United States.