---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16358"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16358"
heading: "Strategic research portfolio analysis and coordination plan"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16358"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter IX — Research and Development"
  - "Part I — Research Administration and Operations"
---

# §16358. Strategic research portfolio analysis and coordination plan

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall periodically review all of the science and technology activities of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) in a strategic framework that takes into account—
  - (1) the frontiers of science to which the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) can contribute;
  - (2) the national needs relevant to the statutory missions of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1); and
  - (3) global energy dynamics.
- (b) **Coordination analysis and plan—**
  - (1) **In general—** As part of the review under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall develop a plan to improve coordination and collaboration in research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities across organizational boundaries of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Plan contents—** The plan developed under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall describe—
    - (A) crosscutting scientific and technical issues and research questions that span more than one program or major office of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1);
    - (B) ways in which the applied technology programs of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) are coordinating activities and addressing the questions referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#b-2-A);
    - (C) ways in which the technical interchange within the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1), particularly between the Office of Science and the applied technology programs, could be enhanced, including ways in which the research agendas of the Office of Science and the applied programs could better interact and assist each other;
    - (D) ways in which the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) would ensure that the overall research agenda of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) includes, in addition to fundamental, curiosity-driven research, fundamental research related to topics of concern to the applied programs, and applications in Departmental technology programs of research results generated by fundamental, curiosity-driven research;
    - (E) critical assessments of any ongoing programs that have experienced subpar performance or cost overruns of 10 percent or more over 1 or more years;
    - (F) any activities that may be more effectively left to the [States](/usc/42/15951.md?p=b-2), industry, nongovernmental organizations, institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders; and
    - (G) detailed evaluations and proposals for innovation hubs, institutes, and research centers of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1), including—
      - (i) an affirmation that the hubs, institutes, and research centers will—
        - (I) advance the mission of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1); and
        - (II) prioritize research, development, and demonstration; and
      - (ii) an affirmation that any hubs, institutes, or research centers that are established or renewed within the Office of Science are consistent with the mission of the Office of Science described in subsection (c) of [section 7139 of this title](/usc/42/7139.md).
- (c) **Submission to Congress—** Every 4 years, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall submit to Congress—
  - (1) the results of the review under [subsection (a)](#a); and
  - (2) the coordination plan under [subsection (b)](#b).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 994, as added Pub. L. 115–246, title II, § 204, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3136.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 16358, Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 994, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 914, which required the Secretary to periodically review Department of Energy science and technology activities taking into account the frontiers of science to which the Department can contribute and the national needs relevant to the Department’s statutory missions, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–246, title II, § 204, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3135.