Sec. 401. In general

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As a part of the Initiative, the Secretary of Energy (in this section, referred to as the Secretary ) shall carry out a research program on artificial intelligence. In carrying out the program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— formulate objectives for artificial intelligence research to be supported by the Department of Energy that are consistent with the Initiative; leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing artificial intelligence research; coordinate research efforts funded through existing programs across the Office of Science; engage with other Federal agencies, research communities, and potential users of information produced under this section; and build, maintain, and, to the extent practicable, make available for use by academic, government, and private sector researchers, the computing hardware and software necessary to carry out a research program in artificial intelligence science.

In carrying out this section, the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to establish and operate up to 5 artificial intelligence research centers (in this section, referred to as Centers ) for the purpose described in paragraph (3). Such grants shall be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, and consider applications from National Laboratories, institutions of higher education including emerging research institutions, research centers, multi-institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities.

In this section, the term eligible entity means— an institution of higher education; a relevant nonprofit or private sector organization; a State or local government; a National Laboratory or a federally funded research and development center; and a consortium of entities that consists of entities described in clauses

(i)through (iv). The purpose of the Centers established under this section is— to serve the needs of the Department of Energy and academic, educational, and private sector entities that the Secretary determines appropriate; to advance research and education in artificial intelligence and improving the competitiveness of the United States; and to provide access to computing resources to promote scientific progress and enable users from institutions of higher education, educational institutions, the National Laboratories, and industry— to make scientific discoveries relevant to artificial intelligence research; to conduct research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in artificial intelligence science and technology; to support research conducted under this section; and to increase the distribution of research infrastructure and broaden the spectrum of students exposed to the artificial intelligence research at institutions of higher education, including emerging research institutions. The Secretary shall ensure the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities of each Center with the activities of— other research entities of the Department, including the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs; and industry. Any center selected and established under this section is authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5 years. Such a Center may apply for, and the Director may grant, an extension of a grant under this section for an additional 5-year period. Consistent with the existing authorities of the Department, the Secretary may terminate an underperforming Center for cause during the performance period. There are authorized to be appropriated $225,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to the Office of Science of the Department of Energy to carry out this section. Not less than $100,000,000 of funds appropriated under paragraph

(1)shall be used to carry out subsections

(a)and (b).