Microelectronics research for energy innovation

In this section: The term “Center” means a Microelectronics Science Research Center established pursuant to subsection (d). The term “Department” means the Department of Energy. The term “Director” means the Director of the Office of Science. The term “historically Black college or university” has the meaning given the term “part B institution” in section 1061 of title 20. The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 1001(a) of title 20. The term “microelectronics” means— The term “minority-serving institution” means— The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given the term in section 15801 of this title. The term “program” means the program established under subsection (c)(1). The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy. The term “skilled technical workforce” has the meaning given the term in section 4(b)(3) of the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act (42 U.S.C. 1862p note; Public Law 115–402). The term “Tribal College or University” has the meaning given the term in section 1059c of title 20. The term “work-based learning” has the meaning given the term in section 2302 of title 20. Congress finds that— the National Laboratories possess unique technical expertise and user facilities that are essential to— The Secretary shall carry out a crosscutting program of research, development, and demonstration of microelectronics relevant to the missions of the Department to enable advances and breakthroughs that will— In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities described in subparagraph (B) to carry out research projects in— foundational science areas, including— An eligible entity referred to in subparagraph (A) is— Not later than 30 days after the Secretary provides financial assistance to an eligible entity under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a notification of the financial assistance provided, including— In carrying out the program, the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions and in consultation with the private sector, shall— In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall support— in consultation with the National Science Foundation, as appropriate, education and outreach activities— The Secretary shall conduct outreach to recruit applicants to the program and engage participants from all regions of the United States, especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall— Not later than 180 days after August 9, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the goals, priorities, and anticipated outcomes of the program. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection— In carrying out the program, subject to the availability of appropriations, the Director shall establish not more than 4 Microelectronics Science Research Centers, each comprising 1 or more eligible entities— An eligible entity referred to in paragraph (1) is— The activities of a Center shall include research, development, and demonstration activities for— The Director shall, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director determines to be appropriate, issue a request for proposals from eligible entities described in paragraph (2) seeking to be designated as a Center. The Director shall select eligible entities under subparagraph (A) through a competitive, merit-based process. Each Center shall operate for a period of not more than 5 years, unless renewed for an additional 5-year period in accordance with clause (ii). In the case of a Center that has operated for not more than 5 years, the Director may renew support for the Center on a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years. Consistent with the existing authorities of the Department, the Director may terminate an underperforming Center during the performance period. The Director, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, shall seek to enter into partnerships with industry groups to facilitate the translation and transfer of research results produced by the Centers. The Secretary shall— ensure coordination, and avoid unnecessary duplication, of the activities of each Center with the activities of— other research entities of the Department, including— Each Center shall support workforce development through— The Director shall support the workforce development of Centers under paragraph (8) by conducting outreach to recruit applicants and engage participants from all regions of the United States, especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Secretary shall ensure that the intellectual property and value proposition created by the Centers are retained within the United States. In this paragraph, the term “covered determination” means a determination of the Secretary— Not later than 30 days after the Secretary makes a covered determination, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a notification of the covered determination, including— Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall use not more than $25,000,000 to fund each Center for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.