---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18936"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18936"
heading: "Neutron scattering"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18936"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter II — National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future"
  - "Part A — Measurement Research"
---

# §18936. Neutron scattering

- (a) **Strategic plan for the Institute neutron reactor—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall develop a strategic plan for the future of the NIST [Center](/usc/42/18901.md?p=17) for Neutron Research after the current neutron reactor is decommissioned, including—
  - (1) a succession plan for the reactor, including a roadmap with timeline and milestones;
  - (2) conceptual design of a new reactor and accompanying facilities, as appropriate; and
  - (3) a plan to minimize disruptions to the user community during the transition.
- (b) **Coordination with the Department of Energy—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18921.md?p=6), acting through the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1), shall coordinate with the [Secretary](/usc/42/18921.md?p=6) of Energy on issues related to Federal support for neutron science, including estimation of long-term needs for research using neutron sources, and planning efforts for future facilities to meet such needs.
- (c) **Report to Congress—** Not later than 30 months after August 9, 2022, the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall submit to Congress the plan required under [subsection (a)](#a), and shall notify Congress of any substantial updates to such plan in subsequent years.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title II, § 10231, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1483.)