Consistent with this section, the Secretary shall, acting through the Office of the Chief Economist, make competitive grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, policy research centers described in subsection (b) to conduct research and education programs that are objective, operationally independent, and external to the Federal Government and that concern the effect of public policies and trade agreements on—

(1) the farm and agricultural sectors (including commodities, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops);

(2) the environment;

(3) rural families, households, and economies; and

(4) consumers, food, and nutrition.

An entity eligible to apply for funding under subsection (a) is a State agricultural experiment station, college or university, or other public research institution or organization that has a history of providing—

(1) unbiased, nonpartisan economic analysis to Congress on the areas specified in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a); or

(2) objective, scientific information to Federal agencies and the public to support and enhance efficient, accurate implementation of Federal drought preparedness and drought response programs, including interagency thresholds used to determine eligibility for mitigation or emergency assistance.

In making awards under this section, the Secretary shall give a preference to policy research centers that have—

(1) extensive databases, models, and demonstrated experience in providing Congress with agricultural market projections, rural development analysis, agricultural policy analysis, and baseline projections at the farm, multiregional, national, and international levels; or

(2) information, analysis, and research relating to drought mitigation.

Under this section, funding may be provided for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education concerning policy research activities consistent with this section, including activities that—

(1) quantify the implications of public policies and regulations;

(2) develop theoretical and applied research methods;

(3) collect, analyze, and disseminate data for policymakers, analysts, and individuals; and

(4) develop programs to train analysts.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.

(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1419A, as added Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, § 807, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1162; amended Pub. L. 105–185, title II, § 224, title III, § 301(a)(3), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 540, 562; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §§ 7103, 7216, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 432, 449; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7111, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1219; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7111, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1980; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7106, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 869; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7108, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4783.)