1. (a) In general Consistent with this section, the Secretary may make grants, competitive grants, and special research grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements and other contracting instruments with, policy research centers described in subsection (b) of this section 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. (1) the farm and agricultural sectors (including commodities, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops);
   2. (2) the environment;
   3. (3) rural families, households, and economies; and
   4. (4) consumers, food, and nutrition.
2. (b) Eligible recipients State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations (including the Food Agricultural Policy Research Institute, the Agricultural and Food Policy Center, the Rural Policy Research Institute, and the National Drought Mitigation Center), private organizations, corporations, and individuals shall be eligible to apply for funding under subsection (a) of this section.

3. (c) Activities 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. (1) quantify the implications of public policies and regulations;
   2. (2) develop theoretical and research methods;
   3. (3) collect, analyze, and disseminate data for policymakers, analysts, and individuals; and
   4. (4) develop programs to train analysts.
4. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2012.

(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.)

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7111(1), inserted “(including commodities, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops)” after “agricultural sectors”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7111(2), inserted “(including the Food Agricultural Policy Research Institute, the Agricultural and Food Policy Center, the Rural Policy Research Institute, and the National Drought Mitigation Center)” after “research institutions and organizations”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7111(3), substituted “2012” for “2007”.

2002—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 107–171, § 7216, substituted “collect, analyze, and disseminate data” for “collect and analyze data”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–171, § 7103, substituted “2007” for “2002”.

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–185, § 224, inserted “and trade agreements” after “public policies” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–185, § 301(a)(3), substituted “each of fiscal years 1996 through 2002” for “fiscal years 1996 and 1997”.

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.