Sec. 304. Alternative research funding models
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The heads of Federal science agencies, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall conduct appropriate pilot programs to validate alternative research funding models, including— scientific breakthrough prize programs that are of strategic importance to the Nation and have the capacity to spur new economic growth; and novel mechanisms of funding including obtaining non-Federal funds through crowd source funding. A pilot program may be conducted under this section through an agreement, grant, or contractual relationship with a non-Federal entity regarding the design, administration, and funding of the program.
Judges for a prize competition carried out under this section shall not be required to be Federal employees. An individual who serves as a judge for a prize competition carried out under this section who is not a Federal employee shall be required to sign an agreement, developed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, with respect to nondisclosure, conflict of interest, and judging code of conduct requirements. A judge for a prize competition with a total purse of $10,000 or more, or for an aggregate of prize competitions with a total purse of $50,000 or more, shall be required to disclose all personal financial interests.
Not later than 30 days after the Office of Science and Technology Policy completes development of an agreement under paragraph (1), it shall transmit a report to Congress describing the requirements of such agreement. The heads of Federal science agencies shall widely advertise prize competitions to be conducted under this section to ensure maximum participation. For purposes of this section, the term Federal science agency means— the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Science Foundation; the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and the National Weather Service.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter as part of the annual budget submission to Congress, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall transmit to the Congress a report on programs identified and conducted under subsection (a).