The Director shall carry out a program to provide awards, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

(1) In general The Director shall carry out a program to provide awards, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

(2) Collaborations A collaboration receiving an award under this subsection may include multiple types of institutions and private sector entities.

A collaboration under this subsection shall be selected for a period of 4 years.

(A) In general A collaboration under this subsection shall be selected for a period of 4 years.

(B) Existing centers An Energy Frontier Research Center in existence and supported by the Director on September 28, 2018, may continue to receive support for a period of 4 years beginning on the date of establishment of that center.

(C) Reapplication After the end of the period described in subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, a recipient of an award may reapply for selection on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.

(D) Termination Consistent with the existing authorities of the Department, the Director may terminate an underperforming center for cause during the performance period.

(4) No funding for construction No funding provided pursuant to this subsection may be used for the construction of new buildings or facilities.

The national user facilities developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under paragraph (1) shall include—

(1) In general The Director shall carry out a program for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of national user facilities.

(2) Requirements To the maximum extent practicable, the national user facilities developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under paragraph (1) shall serve the needs of the Department, industry, the academic community, and other relevant entities to create and examine materials and chemical processes for the purpose of improving the competitiveness of the United States.

The national user facilities developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) x-ray light sources;

(B) neutron sources;

(C) nanoscale science research centers; and

(D) such other facilities as the Director considers appropriate, consistent with section 7139 of this title.

The Director shall carry out research and development on advanced accelerator and storage ring technologies relevant to the development of basic energy sciences user facilities, in consultation with the High Energy Physics and Nuclear Physics programs of the Office of Science.

(Pub. L. 115–246, title III, § 303(a)–(c), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3140, 3141.)