§ 5304. Operation of program
(a)
Solicitation of proposals
Within one year after October 15, 1990, the Secretary shall solicit and, subject to available appropriations, select proposals on a competitive basis from applicants to carry out the program under section
5303 of this title. In order for a proposal to be considered by the Secretary, the applicant shall have in existence at the time the proposal is submitted the following qualifications:
(1)
the technical capability to enable it to make use of existing research support and facilities in carrying out its research objectives;
(b)
Proposal criteria
Each proposal shall—
(1)
demonstrate the support of the metal casting industry by describing—
(c)
Content of management plan
The management plan set forth in subsection (b)(3) of this section shall—
(4)
define the overall program management and direction by—
(B)
outlining how the coordination of research and development between the individuals and organizations involved will be achieved;
(C)
demonstrating how implementation and monitoring of the progress of research projects after receipt of funding from the Secretary will be achieved;
(d)
Selection of proposals
From the proposals submitted, the Secretary shall select proposals for funding. The Secretary shall attempt to select at least four proposals. The Secretary shall select the proposals that—
(1)
will best result in carrying out needed metal casting research and development in one or more of the following general areas—
(C)
processing technologies and design for energy efficiency, material conservation, environmental protection, or industrial productivity; and
(D)
other areas of research, which in the judgment of the Secretary, after consulting with the Board established in section
5306 of this title, further the purposes of this chapter;
(2)
represent research and development in specific areas identified in the “Metal Casting Research Priorities” developed annually by the Board pursuant to section
5306
(b)(1) of this title;
(e)
Funding of program
From amounts made available in separate appropriation Acts, the Secretary shall provide to each applicant selected the financial and technical assistance and other incentives that are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(f)
National Metal Casting Research Institute
Each recipient of financial assistance under subsection (d) of this section shall be known as a “National Metal Casting Research Institute”.