H.R. 6291 — what changed

Department— The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.

Historically black college and university— The term “historically Black college and university” has the meaning given the term “part B institution” in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).

Institution of higher education— The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

Minority serving institution— The term “minority serving institution” includes the entities described in any of the paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).

National laboratory— The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).

Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.

the coming end of Moore’s Law presents major technological challenges and opportunities for the United States and important implications for national security, economic competitiveness, and scientific discovery;

future progress and innovation in microelectronics, and maintaining a robust domestic microelectronics supply chain, will require an approach that advances relevant materials science, electronic and photonic device technologies, processing and packaging technologies, manufacturing technologies, circuit, chip, and system architecture, and software system and algorithm development in a co-design fashion;

the National Laboratories possess unique technical expertise and user facilities that are essential to overcoming foundational research challenges relevant to the topics described in paragraph (2), and translating and transferring research outcomes to industry; and

Research areas— In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall award financial assistance to eligible entities under subsection (c) to carry out research projects in—

foundational science areas, including—

materials sciences, chemical sciences, and plasma science synthesis, and fabrication;

novel microelectronics devices, including emerging memory and storage technologies;

diverse computing architectures and paradigms, including analog computing and edge computing;

data-driven modeling and simulation;

integrated sensing, power harvesting, and communications;

component integration and subsystems;

photonic integration; and

development of co-design frameworks for all stages of microelectronics design, development, fabrication, and application;

Eligible entities— The entities eligible to receive financial assistance under this section include—

an institution of higher education, including historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, and minority serving institutions;

a nonprofit research organization;

a State research agency;

a National Laboratory;

a private commercial entity;

a partnership or consortium of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and

any other entities the Secretary deems appropriate.

Activities— The activities of the Centers authorized under this section shall include research, development, and demonstration activities for—

advancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of new microelectronics devices, packages, and systems;

application-driven co-design and prototyping of novel devices to facilitate laboratory-to-fabrication transition;

Selection and duration— The Director of the Office of Science shall select Centers on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations, beginning on the date of establishment of that Center.

Applications— An eligible applicant under this subsection shall submit to the Director of the Office of Science an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director deems appropriate.

Renewal— After the end of either period described in paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Science may renew support for the Center for a period of not more than 5 years on a merit-reviewed basis. For a Center in operation for 10 years after its previous selection on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, the Director may renew support for the center on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years, and may subsequently provide an additional renewal on a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years.

Termination— Consistent with the existing authorities of the Department, the Director of the Office of Science may terminate an underperforming center for cause during the performance period.

Technology transfer— The Director of the Office of Science, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, shall implement partnerships with industry groups for the purpose of facilitating the translation and transfer of research results produced by the Centers.

Coordination— The Secretary shall—

establish a coordinating network to coordinate cross-cutting research and foster communication and collaboration among the Centers; and

ensure the coordination, and avoid unnecessary duplication, of the activities of each Center with the activities of—

other research entities of the Department, including—

the Nanoscale Science Research Centers;

the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers;

the Energy Frontier Research Centers;

the National Semiconductor Technology Center authorized in title XCIX of division H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283);

institutions of higher education;

industry; and

research activities carried out by other Federal agencies.