42 USC 16396 - Prizes for achievement in grand challenges of science and technology

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 23, 2024

§ 16396.

Prizes for achievement in grand challenges of science and technology

(a)

Authority

(b)

Competition requirements

(c)

Prizes for processes and technologies to reduce dependence on imported oil

(d)

Relationship to other authority

(e)

Coordination

In carrying out subsection (a), and for any prize competitions under section 105 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Reauthorization Act of 2010, the Secretary shall—

(1)

issue Department-wide guidance on the design, development, and implementation of prize competitions;

(2)

collect and disseminate best practices on the design and administration of prize competitions;

(3)

streamline contracting mechanisms for the implementation of prize competitions; and

(4)

provide training and prize competition design support, as necessary, to Department staff to develop prize competitions and challenges.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated—

(1)

$10,000,000 to carry out the program under subsection (a); and

(2)

$5,000,000 to carry out the program under subsection (c).

(g)

H-prize

(1)

Prize authority

(A)

In general

(B)

Advertising and solicitation of competitors

(i)

Advertising

(ii)

Announcement through Federal Register notice

(C)

Administering the competitions

The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit entity to administer the prize competitions under this subsection, subject to the provisions of this subsection (in this subsection referred to as the “administering entity”). The duties of the administering entity under the agreement shall include—

(i)

advertising prize competitions under this subsection and their results;

(ii)

raising funds from private entities and individuals to pay for administrative costs and to contribute to cash prizes, including funds provided in exchange for the right to name a prize awarded under this subsection;

(iii)

developing, in consultation with and subject to the final approval of the Secretary, the criteria for selecting winners in prize competitions under this subsection, based on goals provided by the Secretary;

(iv)

determining, in consultation with the Secretary, the appropriate amount and funding sources for each prize to be awarded under this subsection, subject to the final approval of the Secretary with respect to Federal funding;

(v)

providing advice and consultation to the Secretary on the selection of judges in accordance with paragraph (2)(D), using criteria developed in consultation with and subject to the final approval of the Secretary; and

(vi)

protecting against the administering entity’s unauthorized use or disclosure of a registered participant’s trade secrets and confidential business information. Any information properly identified as trade secrets or confidential business information that is submitted by a participant as part of a competitive program under this subsection may be withheld from public disclosure.

(D)

Funding sources

(E)

Announcement of prizes

The Secretary may not issue a notice required by subparagraph (B)(ii) until all the funds needed to pay out the announced amount of the prize have been appropriated or committed in writing by the administering entity. The Secretary may increase the amount of a prize after an initial announcement is made under subparagraph (B)(ii) if—

(i)

notice of the increase is provided in the same manner as the initial notice of the prize; and

(ii)

the funds needed to pay out the announced amount of the increase have been appropriated or committed in writing by the administering entity.

(F)

Sunset

(2)

Prize categories

(A)