---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 5304"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "5304"
heading: "Operation of program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/5304"
units:
  - "Chapter 79 — Metal Casting Competitiveness Research Program"
---

# §5304. Operation of program

- (a) **Solicitation of proposals—** Within one year after October 15, 1990, the [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7) shall solicit and, subject to available appropriations, select proposals on a competitive basis from [applicants](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1) to carry out the program under [section 5303 of this title](/usc/15/5303.md). In order for a proposal to be considered by the [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7), the [applicant](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1) 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;
  - (2) a multidisciplinary research staff experienced in metal casting or other directly related technologies; and
  - (3) the facilities and equipment capable of conducting at least laboratory scale testing or demonstration of metal casting or related processes.
- (b) **Proposal criteria—** Each proposal shall—
  - (1) demonstrate the support of the metal casting industry by describing—
    - (A) how industry has participated in deciding what research activities will be undertaken;
    - (B) how industry will participate in the evaluation of the [applicant](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1)’s progress in research and development activities; and
    - (C) the extent to which industry funds are committed to the [applicant](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1)’s proposal;
  - (2) have a commitment for matching funds from [non-Federal sources](/usc/15/5302.md?p=5), which shall consist of:
    - (A) cash, or
    - (B) as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7), the fair market value of equipment, services, materials, appropriate technology transfer activities, and other assets directly related to the proposal’s cost;
  - (3) include a single or multiyear management plan that outlines how the research and development activities will be administered and carried out;
  - (4) [state](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) the annual cost of the proposal and a breakdown of those costs; and
  - (5) describe the technology transfer mechanisms the [applicant](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1) will use to make available research results to industry and to other researchers.
- (c) **Content of management plan—** The management plan set forth in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3) shall—
  - (1) outline the basic research and development activities expected to be performed;
  - (2) outline who will conduct those research activities;
  - (3) establish the time frame over which the research activities will take place; and
  - (4) define the overall program management and direction by—
    - (A) identifying managerial, organizational and administrative procedures and responsibilities;
    - (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](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7) will be achieved;
    - (D) demonstrating how recommendations and implementations on modifications to the plan will be achieved; and
    - (E) providing sufficient rationale to support the plan’s costs.
- (d) **Selection of proposals—** From the proposals submitted, the [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7) shall select proposals for funding. The [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7) shall attempt to select at least four proposals. The [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7) 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—
    - (A) solidification and casting technologies;
    - (B) computational modeling and design;
    - (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](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7), after consulting with the Board established in [section 5306 of this title](/usc/15/5306.md), 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](/usc/15/5306.md?p=b-1);
  - (3) to the greatest extent possible and subject to available appropriations, ensure that at least one [applicant](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1) is selected from each of the four [census regions](/usc/15/5302.md?p=2) of the country where the metal casting industry is concentrated;
  - (4) demonstrate strong industry support;
  - (5) ensure the timely transfer of technology to industry; and
  - (6) otherwise best carry out the purposes of this chapter.
- (e) **Funding of program—** From amounts made available in separate appropriation Acts, the [Secretary](/usc/15/5302.md?p=7) shall provide to each [applicant](/usc/15/5302.md?p=1) 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)](#d) shall be known as a “National Metal Casting Research Institute”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–425, § 5, Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 916.)