An independent committee, the Space Grant Review Panel (Panel), which is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, shall be established to advise the Administrator with respect to Space Grant program and project awards, the Space Grant fellowship program, and the designation and operation of Space Grant colleges and consortia. A majority of the voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of their knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or more of the fields related to space. The other voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of their knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in, or representative of, education, extension services, state government, industry, economics, planning, or any other activity related to the purposes of the Space Grant program.

(a) The Panel, to be located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, will be composed of ten (10) voting members who are not current NASA employees.

(b) The Panel shall include four representatives from Federal departments, agencies, or entities that have an interest in space programs or science and education, as well as six representatives from non-Federal entities.

(c) The non-Federal representatives shall include two persons who are directly involved with the Space Grant program at a Space Grant college or consortium, one person who is involved with the Space Grant program at a university that is not a designated Space Grant college, a university president or chancellor, one representative from a space-related industry, and the last person to be from whatever field the Administrator determines to be of greatest concern.

(d) The Panel members shall be appointed by the Administrator or designee.

(e) The relevant organizations and associations in aerospace and science education fields will be asked to provide three names for each position on the panel. The Administrator shall consider them, but not be limited to them, in the selection process.

(f) The Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, shall select a Chair and a Vice Chair for the Panel. The Vice Chair shall act as Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair.

(g) The Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, may select NASA officials to serve as ex officio, non-voting members of the Panel.

Any member of the Panel who has a personal or financial interest in an issue for consideration before the Panel shall abstain from all discussion and voting on such issue.

(a) The Panel shall advise the Administrator and designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, with respect to:

(1) Applications or proposals for, and performance under, awards made pursuant to sections 206 and 207 of Title II of the Act;

(2) The Space Grant fellowship program;

(3) The designation and operation of Space Grant colleges and Space Grant regional consortia, and the operation of Space Grant and fellowship programs;

(4) The formulation and application of the planning guidelines and priorities pursuant to section 205 (a) and (b)(1) of Title II of the Act; and

(5) Such other matters as the Administrator refers to the Panel for review and advice.

(b) The Panel shall meet biannually and at any other time at the call of the Chair or upon a request from a majority of the voting members or at the call of the Administrator.

(c) The Panel may exercise such powers as reasonably necessary in order to carry out the duties enumerated in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) The Director, NASA Space Grant Program, shall appoint an Executive Secretary who shall perform administrative duties for the Panel.

(e) Federal members of the Panel will have their agencies reimbursed by NASA for any travel costs and per diem expenses required to attend Panel meetings.

(f) Nonfederal members of the Panel will be reimbursed by NASA for travel costs and per diem expenses required to attend Panel meetings.