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42 U.S. Code § 19116. Authorities
In addition to existing authorities available to the Foundation, the Director may exercise the following authorities in carrying out the activities under this part:(1) Awards
In carrying out this part, the Director may provide awards in the form of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, cash prizes, and other transactions.
(2) Program directors
(A) DesignationThe Director may designate individuals to serve as program directors for the programs established within the Directorate pursuant to the responsibilities established under subparagraph (B). The Director shall ensure that program directors—
(i)
have expertise in one or more of the challenges and key technology focus areas under section 19107 of this title; and
(ii)
come from a variety of backgrounds, including industry, and from a variety of institutions of higher education.
(B) ResponsibilitiesA program director of a program of the Directorate, in consultation with the Assistant Director, shall be responsible for—
(i)
establishing research and development goals for the program, including through the convening of workshops, conferring with a broad range of stakeholders and outside experts, taking into account relevant expert reports, and publicizing the goals of the program to the public and private sectors;
(ii)
surveying a wide range of institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and private entities to identify emerging trends in the challenges and key technology focus areas under section 19107 of this title, and, as appropriate, soliciting proposals from such entities to conduct research in areas of particular promise that the private sector is the not likely to undertake independently.
(iii)
facilitating research collaborations in the challenges and key technology focus areas under section 19107 of this title, including connecting academic researchers with potential end-users of technology, including industry, labor organizations, nonprofit organizations, civil society organizations, and other relevant organizations;
(iv)
reviewing applications for projects submitted under section 19114 of this title according to the Merit Review Criteria established by the Director for such projects and described in the Foundation’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, and any such additional criteria as determined by the Director; and
(v)
monitoring the progress of projects supported under the program and taking into account input from relevant experts and stakeholders, recommending program updates as needed.
(C) Selection criteria
Program directors may use diverse merit review models for selection of award recipients under section 19114 of this title, including internal review and different models that use peer review.
(D) Terms
Program directors of the Directorate may be appointed by the Director for a limited term, renewable at the discretion of the Director.