,i #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dhfc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #cj1 #bjba,ms4 ,stansbury 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,johnson of ,texas1 ,mr4 ,lucas1 ,mrs4 ,kim of ,california1 ,ms4 ,leger ,fernandez1 and ,mr4 ,gonzalez of ,ohio7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,foundation for ,energy ,security and ,innovation1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,partnerships for ,energy ,security and ,innovation ,act4 #b4 ,foundation for ,energy ,security and ,innovation 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,board ,the term ,board means the ,board of ,directors described in subsection 7b77#b77;,a74 7#b7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,energy4 7#c7 ,executive director ,the term ,executive ,director means the ,executive ,director described in subsection 7b77#e77;,a74 7#d7 ,foundation ,the term ,foundation means the ,foundation for ,energy ,security and ,innovation established under subsection 7b77#a74 7#e7 ,historically black college and university ,the term historically ,black college and university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#f7 ,individual laboratory-associated foundation ,the term ,individual ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation means a ,laboratory ,foundation established by an operating contractor of a ,national ,laboratory4 7#g7 ,minority serving institution ,the term minority serving institution includes the entities described in any of the paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#g7 of section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7#h7 ,national laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#aj7 ,tribal college and university ,the term ,tribal ,college and ,university has the meaning given in section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 7b7 ,foundation for energy security and innovation 7#a7 ,establishment 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a nonprofit corporation to be known as the ,foundation for ,energy ,security and ,innovation4 7,b7 ,mission ,the mission of the ,foundation shall be-- 7i7 to support the mission of the ,department2 and 7ii7 to advance collaboration with energy researchers1 institutions of higher education1 industry1 and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to enable the commercialization of energy technologies4 7,c7 ,limitation ,the ,foundation shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government4 7,d7 ,tax-exempt status ,the ,board shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure that the ,foundation is an organization that is described in section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from taxation under section #eja7;a7 of that ,code4 7,e7 ,collaboration with existing organizations ,the ,secretary may collaborate with #a or more organizations to establish the ,foundation and carry out the activities of the ,foundation4 7#b7 ,board of directors 7,a7 ,establishment ,the ,foundation shall be governed by a ,board of ,directors4 7,b7 ,composition 7i7 ,in general ,the ,board shall be composed of the ex officio nonvoting members described in clause 7ii7 and the appointed voting members described in clause 7iii74 7ii7 ,ex officio members ,the ex officio members of the ,board shall be the following individuals or designees of those individuals3 7,i7 ,the ,secretary4 7,,ii7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,science and ,energy4 7,,iii7 ,the ,under ,secretary for ,nuclear ,security4 7,,iv7 ,the ,chief ,commercialization ,officer4 7iii7 ,appointed members 7,i7 ,initial members ,the ,secretary and the other ex officio members of the ,board shall-- 7aa7 seek to enter into an agreement with the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine to develop a list of individuals to serve as members of the ,board who are well-qualified and will meet the requirements of subclauses 7,,ii7 and 7,,iii72 and 7bb7 appoint the initial members of the ,board from that list1 if applicable1 in consultation with the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine4 7,,ii7 ,representation ,the appointed members of the ,board shall reflect a broad cross-section of stakeholders from academia1 ,national ,laboratories1 industry1 nonprofit organizations1 ,state or local governments1 the investment community1 and the philanthropic community4 7,,iii7 ,experience ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a majority of the appointed members of the ,board-- 7aa7 7,,aa7 has experience in the energy sector2 7,,bb7 has research experience in the energy field2 or 7,,cc7 has experience in technology commercialization or foundation operations2 and 7bb7 to the extent practicable1 represents diverse regions1 sectors1 and communities4 7,c7 ,chair and vice chair 7i7 ,in general ,the ,board shall designate from among the members of the ,board-- 7,i7 an individual to serve as ,chair of the ,board2 and 7,,ii7 an individual to serve as ,vice ,chair of the ,board4 7ii7 ,terms ,the term of service of the ,chair and ,vice ,chair of the ,board shall end on the earlier of-- 7,i7 the date that is #c years after the date on which the ,chair or ,vice ,chair of the ,board1 as applicable1 is designated for the position2 and 7,,ii7 the last day of the term of service of the member1 as determined under subparagraph 7,d77i71 who is designated to be ,chair or ,vice ,chair of the ,board1 as applicable4 7iii7 ,representation ,the ,chair and ,vice ,chair of the ,board-- 7,i7 shall not be representatives of the same area of subject matter expertise1 or entity1 as applicable1 under subparagraph 7,b77iii77,,ii72 and 7,,ii7 shall not be representatives of any area of subject matter expertise1 or entity1 as applicable1 represented by the immediately preceding ,chair and ,vice ,chair of the ,board4 7,d7 ,terms and vacancies 7i7 ,terms 7,i7 ,in general ,the term of service of each appointed member of the ,board shall be not more than #e years4 7,,ii7 ,initial appointed members ,of the initial members of the ,board appointed under subparagraph 7,b77iii77,i71 half of the members shall serve for #d years and half of the members shall serve for #e years1 as determined by the ,chair of the ,board4 7ii7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy in the membership of the appointed members of the ,board-- 7,i7 shall be filled in accordance with the bylaws of the ,foundation by an individual capable of representing the same area or entity1 as applicable1 as represented by the vacating board member under subparagraph 7,b77iii77,,ii72 7,,ii7 shall not affect the power of the remaining appointed members to execute the duties of the ,board2 and 7,,iii7 shall be filled by an individual selected by the ,board4 7,e7 ,meetings2 quorum 7i7 ,initial meeting ,not later than #fj days after the ,board is established1 the ,secretary shall convene a meeting of the ex officio and appointed members of the ,board to incorporate the ,foundation4 7ii7 ,quorum ,a majority of the appointed members of the ,board shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting the business of the ,board4 7,f7 ,duties ,the ,board shall-- 7i7 establish bylaws for the ,foundation in accordance with subparagraph 7,g72 7ii7 provide overall direction for the activities of the ,foundation and establish priority activities2 7iii7 carry out any other necessary activities of the ,foundation2 7iv7 evaluate the performance of the ,executive ,director2 and 7v7 actively solicit and accept funds1 gifts1 grants1 devises1 or bequests of real or personal property to the ,foundation1 including from private entities4 7,g7 ,bylaws 7i7 ,in general ,the bylaws established under subparagraph 7,f77i7 may include-- 7,i7 policies for the selection of ,board members1 officers1 employees1 agents1 and contractors of the ,foundation2 7,,ii7 policies1 including ethical standards1 for-- 7aa7 the acceptance1 solicitation1 and disposition of donations and grants to the ,foundation1 including appropriate limits on the ability of donors to designate1 by stipulation or restriction1 the use or recipient of donated funds2 and 7bb7 the disposition of assets of the ,foundation2 7,,iii7 policies that subject all employees1 fellows1 trainees1 and other agents of the ,foundation 7including ex officio and appointed members of the ,board7 to conflict of interest standards2 and 7,,iv7 the specific duties of the ,executive ,director4 7ii7 ,requirements ,the ,board shall ensure that the bylaws of the ,foundation and the activities carried out under those bylaws shall not-- 7,i7 reflect unfavorably on the ability of the ,foundation to carry out activities in a fair and objective manner2 or 7,,ii7 compromise1 or appear to compromise1 the integrity of any governmental agency or program1 or any officer or employee employed by1 or involved in1 a governmental agency or program4 7,h7 ,compensation 7i7 ,in general ,no member of the ,board shall receive compensation for serving on the ,board4 7ii7 ,certain expenses ,in accordance with the bylaws of the ,foundation1 members of the ,board may be reimbursed for travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 and other necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the ,board4 7,i7 ,restriction on membership ,no employee of the ,department shall be appointed as a member of the ,board of ,directors4 7#c7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,foundation are-- 7,a7 to support the ,department in carrying out the mission of the ,department to ensure the security and prosperity of the ,united ,states by addressing civilian energy and environmental challenges through transformative science and technology solutions2 and 7,b7 to increase private and philanthropic sector investments that support efforts to create1 characterize1 develop1 test1 validate1 and commercialize innovative technologies that address crosscutting national energy challenges1 including those affecting minority1 rural1 and other underserved communities1 by methods that include-- 7i7 fostering collaboration and partnerships with researchers from the ,federal ,government1 ,state governments1 institutions of higher education1 including historically ,black colleges and universities1 ,tribal ,colleges or ,universities1 and minority-serving institutions1 federally funded research and development centers1 industry1 and nonprofit organizations for the research1 development1 or commercialization of transformative energy and associated technologies2 7ii7 strengthening and sharing best practices relating to regional economic development through scientific and energy innovation1 including in partnership with an ,individual ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation2 7iii7 promoting new product development that supports job creation2 7iv7 administering prize competitions-- 7,i7 to accelerate private sector competition and investment2 and 7,,ii7 that complement the use of prize authority by the ,department2 7v7 supporting programs that advance technology maturation1 especially where there may be gaps in ,federal or private funding in the commercialization of a prototype technology2 7vi7 supporting efforts to broaden participation in energy technology development among individuals from historically underrepresented groups or regions2 and 7vii7 facilitating access to ,department facilities1 equipment1 and expertise to assist in tackling national challenges4 7#d7 ,activities 7,a7 ,studies1 competitions1 and projects ,the ,foundation may conduct and support studies1 competitions1 projects1 and other activities that further the purposes of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,fellowships and grants 7i7 ,in general ,the ,foundation may award fellowships and grants for activities relating to research1 development1 demonstration1 or commercialization of energy and other ,department-supported technologies4 7ii7 ,form of award ,a fellowship or grant under clause 7i7 may consist of a stipend1 health insurance benefits1 funds for travel1 and funds for other appropriate expenses4 7iii7 ,selection ,in selecting a recipient for a fellowship or grant under clause 7i71 the ,foundation-- 7,i7 shall make the selection based on the technical and commercialization merits of the proposed project of the potential recipient2 and 7,,ii7 may consult with a potential recipient regarding the ability of the potential recipient to carry out various projects that would further the purposes of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#c74 7iv7 ,national laboratories ,a ,national ,laboratory that applies for or accepts an award under clause 7i7 shall not be considered to be engaging in a competitive process4 7,c7 ,accessing facilities and expertise ,the ,foundation may work with the ,department-- 7i7 to leverage the capabilities and facilities of ,national ,laboratories to commercialize technology2 and 7ii7 to assist with resources1 including by providing information on the assets of each ,national ,laboratory that may enable the commercialization of technology4 7,d7 ,training and education ,the ,foundation may support programs that provide training to researchers1 scientists1 other relevant personnel at ,national ,laboratories and institutions of higher education1 and previous or current recipients of or applicants for ,department funding to help research1 develop1 demonstrate1 and commercialize federally funded technology4 7,e7 ,maturation funding ,the ,foundation shall support programs that provide maturation funding to researchers to advance the technology of those researchers for the purpose of moving products from a prototype stage to a commercial stage4 7,f7 ,stakeholder engagement ,the ,foundation shall convene1 and may consult with1 representatives from the ,department1 institutions of higher education1 ,national ,laboratories1 the private sector1 and commercialization organizations to develop programs for the purposes of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#c7 and to advance the activities of the ,foundation4 7,g7 ,individual and federal laboratory-associated foundations 7i7 ,definition of covered foundation ,in this subparagraph1 the term covered foundation means each of the following3 7,i7 ,an ,individual ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation4 7,,ii7 ,a ,federal ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation established pursuant to subsection 7c77#a74 7ii7 ,support ,the ,foundation shall provide support to and collaborate with covered foundations4 7iii7 ,guidelines and templates ,for the purpose of providing support under clause 7ii71 the ,secretary shall establish suggested guidelines and templates for covered foundations1 including-- 7,i7 a standard adaptable organizational design for responsible management2 7,,ii7 standard and legally tenable bylaws and money-handling procedures2 and 7,,iii7 a standard training curriculum to orient and expand the operating expertise of personnel employed by covered foundations4 7iv7 ,affiliations ,nothing in this subparagraph requires-- 7,i7 an existing ,individual ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation to modify current practices or affiliate with the ,foundation2 or 7,,ii7 a covered foundation to be bound by charter or corporate bylaws as permanently affiliated with the ,foundation4 7,h7 ,supplemental programs ,the ,foundation may carry out supplemental programs-- 7i7 to conduct and support forums1 meetings1 conferences1 courses1 and training workshops consistent with the purposes of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#c72 7ii7 to support and encourage the understanding and development of data that promotes the translation of technologies from the research stage1 through the development and maturation stage1 and ending in the market stage2 7iii7 for writing1 editing1 printing1 publishing1 and vending books and other materials relating to research carried out under the ,foundation and the ,department2 and 7iv7 to conduct other activities to carry out and support the purposes of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#c74 7,i7 ,evaluations ,the ,foundation shall support the development of an evaluation methodology1 to be used as part of any program supported by the ,foundation1 that shall-- 7i7 consist of qualitative and quantitative metrics2 and 7ii7 include periodic third-party evaluation of those programs and other activities of the ,foundation4 7,j7 ,communications ,the ,foundation shall develop an expertise in communications to promote the work of grant and fellowship recipients under subparagraph 7,b71 the commercialization successes of the ,foundation1 opportunities for partnership with the ,foundation1 and other activities4 7,k7 ,solicitation and use of funds ,the ,foundation may solicit and accept gifts1 grants1 and other donations1 establish accounts1 and invest and expend funds in support of the activities and programs of the ,foundation4 7,l7 ,authority of foundation ,the ,foundation shall be the sole entity responsible for carrying out the activities described in this paragraph4 7#e7 ,administration 7,a7 ,executive director ,the ,board shall hire an ,executive ,director of the ,foundation1 who shall serve at the pleasure of the ,board4 ,subject to the compliance with the policies and bylaws established by the ,board pursuant to paragraph 7#b77;,g71 the ,executive ,director shall be responsible for the daily operations of the ,foundation in carrying out the activities of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#d74 7,b7 ,administrative control ,no member of the ,board1 officer or employee of the ,foundation or of any program established by the ,foundation1 or participant in a program established by the ,foundation1 shall exercise administrative control over any ,federal employee4 7,c7 ,strategic plan ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,foundation shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a strategic plan that contains-- 7i7 a plan for the ,foundation to become financially self-sustaining in fiscal year #bjbc and thereafter 7except for the amounts provided each fiscal year under paragraph 7#ab77;,a77iii772 7ii7 a forecast of major crosscutting energy challenge opportunities1 including short- and long-term objectives1 identified by the ,board1 with input from communities representing the entities and areas of subject matter expertise1 as applicable1 described in paragraph 7#b77;,b77iii77,,ii72 7iii7 a description of the efforts that the ,foundation will take to be transparent in the processes of the ,foundation1 including processes relating to-- 7,i7 grant awards1 including selection1 review1 and notification2 7,,ii7 communication of past1 current1 and future research priorities2 and 7,,iii7 solicitation of and response to public input on the opportunities identified under clause 7ii72 7iv7 a description of the financial goals and benchmarks of the ,foundation for the following #aj years2 7v7 a description of the efforts undertaken by the ,foundation to engage historically underrepresented groups or regions1 including through collaborations with historically ,black colleges and universities1 ,tribal ,colleges and ,universities1 minority-serving institutions1 and minority-owned and women-owned businesses2 and 7vi7 a description of the efforts undertaken by the ,foundation to ensure maximum complementarity and minimum redundancy with investments made by the ,department4 7,d7 ,annual report ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,foundation is established1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,foundation shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,secretary a report that1 for the year covered by the report-- 7i7 describes the activities of the ,foundation and the progress of the ,foundation in furthering the purposes of the ,foundation described in paragraph 7#c72 7ii7 provides a specific accounting of the source and use of all funds made available to the ,foundation to carry out those activities to ensure transparency in the alignment of ,department missions and policies with national security2 7iii7 describes how the results of the activities of the ,foundation could be incorporated into the procurement processes of the ,general ,services ,administration2 and 7iv7 includes a summary of each evaluation conducted using the evaluation methodology described in paragraph 7#d77;,i74 7,e7 ,evaluation by comptroller general ,not later than #e years after the date on which the ,foundation is established1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives-- 7i7 an evaluation of-- 7,i7 the extent to which the ,foundation is achieving the mission of the ,foundation2 and 7,,ii7 the operation of the ,foundation2 and 7ii7 any recommendations on how the ,foundation may be improved4 7,f7 ,audits ,the ,foundation shall-- 7i7 provide for annual audits of the financial condition of the ,foundation2 and 7ii7 make the audits1 and all other records1 documents1 and papers of the ,foundation1 available to the ,secretary and the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states for examination or audit4 7,g7 ,separate fund accounts ,the ,board shall ensure that any funds received under paragraph 7#ab77;,a7 are held in a separate account from any other funds received by the ,foundation4 7,h7 ,integrity 7i7 ,in general ,to ensure integrity in the operations of the ,foundation1 the ,board shall develop and enforce procedures relating to standards of conduct1 financial disclosure statements1 conflicts of interest 7including recusal and waiver rules71 audits1 and any other matters determined appropriate by the ,board4 7ii7 ,financial conflicts of interest ,to mitigate conflicts of interest and risks from malign foreign influence1 any individual who is an officer1 employee1 or member of the ,board is prohibited from any participation in deliberations by the ,foundation of a matter that would directly or predictably affect any financial interest of-- 7,i7 the individual2 7,,ii7 a relative 7as defined in section #aji of the ,ethics in ,government ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app477 of that individual2 or 7,,iii7 a business organization or other entity in which the individual has an interest1 including an organization or other entity with which the individual is negotiating employment4 7,i7 ,intellectual property ,the ,board shall adopt written standards to govern the ownership and licensing of any intellectual property rights developed by the ,foundation or derived from the collaborative efforts of the ,foundation4 7,j7 ,liability 7i7 ,in general ,the ,united ,states shall not be liable for any debts1 defaults1 acts1 or omissions of-- 7,i7 the ,foundation2 7,,ii7 a ,federal entity with respect to an agreement of that ,federal entity with the ,foundation2 or 7,,iii7 an ,individual ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation with respect to an agreement of that ,federal entity with the ,foundation4 7ii7 ,full faith and credit ,the full faith and credit of the ,united ,states shall not extend to any obligations of the ,foundation4 7,k7 ,nonapplicability of faca ,the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall not apply to the ,foundation or an ,individual ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation4 7#f7 ,department collaboration 7,a7 ,national laboratories ,the ,secretary shall collaborate with the ,foundation to develop a process to ensure collaboration and coordination between the ,department1 the ,foundation1 and ,national ,laboratories-- 7i7 to streamline contracting processes between ,national ,laboratories and the ,foundation1 including by-- 7,i7 streamlining the ability of the ,foundation to transfer equipment and funds to ,national ,laboratories2 7,,ii7 standardizing contract mechanisms to be used by the ,foundation in engaging with ,national ,laboratories2 and 7,,iii7 streamlining the ability of the ,foundation to fund endowed positions at ,national ,laboratories2 7ii7 to allow a ,national ,laboratory or site of a ,national ,laboratory-- 7,i7 to accept and perform work for the ,foundation1 consistent with provided resources1 notwithstanding any other provision of law governing the administration1 mission1 use1 or operations of the ,national ,laboratory or site1 as applicable2 and 7,,ii7 to perform that work on a basis equal to other missions at the ,national ,laboratory2 and 7iii7 to permit the director of any ,national ,laboratory or site of a ,national ,laboratory to enter into a cooperative research and development agreement or negotiate a licensing agreement with the ,foundation pursuant to section #ab of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgaj;a74 7,b7 ,department liaisons ,the ,secretary shall appoint liaisons from across the ,department to collaborate and coordinate with the ,foundation1 including not less than #a liaison from the ,office of ,technology ,transitions1 who shall ensure that the ,foundation works in conjunction with and does not duplicate existing activities and programs carried out by the ,department including the ,technology ,commercialization ,fund4 7,c7 ,administration ,the ,secretary shall leverage appropriate arrangements1 contracts1 and directives to carry out the process developed under subparagraph 7,a74 7#g7 ,national security ,nothing in this subsection exempts the ,foundation from any national security policy of the ,department4 7#h7 ,support services ,the ,secretary may provide facilities1 utilities1 and support services to the ,foundation if it is determined by the ,secretary to be advantageous to the research programs of the ,department4 7#i7 ,anti-deficiency act ,subsection 7a77#a7 of section #acda of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,anti-,deficiency ,act71 shall not apply to any ,federal officer or employee carrying out any activity of the ,foundation using funds of the ,foundation4 7#aj7 ,preemption of authority ,this subsection shall not preempt any authority or responsibility of the ,secretary under any other provision of law4 7#aa7 ,transfer funds ,the ,foundation may transfer funds to the ,department1 which shall be subject to all applicable ,federal limitations relating to federally funded research4 7#ab7 ,authorization of appropriations 7,a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated-- 7i7 not less than #a1ejj1jjj for the ,secretary for fiscal year #bjbb to establish the ,foundation2 7ii7 not less than #cj1jjj1jjj for the ,foundation for fiscal year #bjbc to carry out the activities of the ,foundation2 and 7iii7 not less than #c1jjj1jjj for the ,foundation for each of the fiscal years #bjbd through #bjbf1 for administrative and operational costs4 7,b7 ,cost share ,funds made available under subparagraph 7,a77ii7 shall be required to be cost-shared by a partner of the ,foundation other than the ,department or a ,national ,laboratory4 7c7 ,national energy technology laboratory-,associated foundation 7#a7 ,establishment 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory may establish1 or enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to establish1 a ,federal ,laboratory-,associated ,foundation 7referred to in this subsection as a ,laboratory ,foundation7 to support the mission of the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory4 7,b7 ,not agency or instrumentality ,a ,laboratory ,foundation shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government4 7,c7 ,governance structure ,a ,laboratory ,foundation established under subparagraph 7,a7 shall have a separate governance structure from1 and shall be managed independently of1 the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory4 7#b7 ,activities ,activities of a ,laboratory ,foundation may include-- 7,a7 conducting support studies1 competitions1 projects1 research1 and other activities that further the purpose of the ,laboratory ,foundation2 7,b7 carrying out programs to foster collaboration and partnership among researchers from the ,federal ,government1 ,state governments1 institutions of higher education1 federally funded research and development centers1 and industry and nonprofit organizations relating to the research1 development1 and commercialization of federally supported technologies2 7,c7 carrying out programs to leverage technologies to support new product development that supports regional economic development2 7,d7 administering prize competitions-- 7i7 to accelerate private sector competition and investment2 and 7ii7 that complement the use of prize authority by the ,department2 7,e7 providing fellowships and grants to research and development personnel at1 or affiliated with1 federally funded centers1 in accordance with paragraph 7#c72 7,f7 carrying out programs-- 7i7 that allow scientists from foreign countries to serve in research capacities in the ,united ,states or other countries in association with the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory2 7ii7 that provide opportunities for employees of the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory to serve in research capacities in foreign countries2 7iii7 to conduct studies1 projects1 or research in collaboration with national and international nonprofit and for-profit organizations1 which may include the provision of stipends1 travel1 and other support for personnel2 7iv7 7,i7 to hold forums1 meetings1 conferences1 courses1 and training workshops that may include undergraduate1 graduate1 post-graduate1 and post-doctoral accredited courses2 and 7,,ii7 for the accreditation of those courses by the ,laboratory ,foundation at the ,state and national level for college degrees or continuing education credits2 7v7 to support and encourage teachers and students of science at all levels of education2 7vi7 to promote an understanding of science amongst the general public2 7vii7 for writing1 editing1 printing1 publishing1 and vending of relevant books and other materials2 and 7viii7 for the conduct of other activities to carry out and support the purpose of the ,laboratory ,foundation2 and 7,g7 receiving1 administering1 soliciting1 accepting1 and using funds1 gifts1 devises1 or bequests1 either absolutely or in trust of real or personal property or any income therefrom1 or other interest or equity therein for the benefit of1 or in connection with1 the mission of the applicable ,federal laboratory1 in accordance with paragraph 7#d74 7#c7 ,fellowships and grants 7,a7 ,selection ,recipients of fellowships and grants described in paragraph 7#b77;,e7 shall be selected-- 7i7 by a ,laboratory ,foundation and the donors to a ,laboratory ,foundation2 7ii7 subject to the agreement of the head of the agency the mission of which is supported by a ,laboratory ,foundation2 and 7iii7 in the case of a fellowship1 based on the recommendation of the employees of the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory at which the fellow would serve4 7,b7 ,expenses ,fellowships and grants described in paragraph 7#b77;,e7 may include stipends1 travel1 health insurance1 benefits1 and other appropriate expenses4 7#d7 ,gifts ,an amount of funds1 a gift1 a devise1 or a bequest described in paragraph 7#b77;,g7 may be accepted by a ,laboratory ,foundation regardless of whether it is encumbered1 restricted1 or subject to a beneficial interest of a private person if any current or future interest of the funds1 gift1 devise1 or bequest is for the benefit of the research and development activities of the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory4 7#e7 ,ownership by federal government ,a contribution1 gift1 or any other transfer made to or for the use of a ,laboratory ,foundation shall be regarded as a contribution1 gift1 or transfer to or for the use of the ,federal ,government4 7#f7 ,liability ,the ,united ,states shall not be liable for any debts1 defaults1 acts1 or omissions of a ,laboratory ,foundation4 7#g7 ,transfer of funds ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 a ,laboratory ,foundation may transfer funds to the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory and the ,national ,energy ,technology ,laboratory may accept that transfer of funds4 7#h7 ,other laws ,this subsection shall not alter or supersede any other provision of law governing the authority1 scope1 establishment1 or use of nonprofit organizations by a ,federal agency4