118 STAT. 1084 PUBLIC LAW 108–293—AUG. 9, 2004 may conduct pilot projects at United States ports to test the effectiveness and applicability of new port security projects, including— ‘‘(i) testing of new detection and screening tech nologies; ‘‘(ii) projects to protect United States ports and infrastructure on or adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States, including underwater access; and ‘‘(iii) tools for responding to a transportation secu rity incident at United States ports and infrastructure on or adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States, including underwater access. ‘‘(B) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to carry out this subsection. ‘‘(3) NATIONAL PORT SECURITY CENTERS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements with eligible nonprofit institutions of higher learning to conduct investigations in collaboration with ports and the maritime transportation industry focused on enhancing security of the Nation’s ports in accordance with this subsection through National Port Security Centers. ‘‘(B) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, a nonprofit institution of higher learning, or a consortium of such institutions, shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may require. ‘‘(C) COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS.—The Secretary shall select grant recipients under this paragraph through a competitive process on the basis of the following criteria: ‘‘(i) Whether the applicant can demonstrate that personnel, laboratory, and organizational resources will be available to the applicant to carry out the investiga tions authorized in this paragraph. ‘‘(ii) The applicant’s capability to provide leader ship in making national and regional contributions to the solution of immediate and long range port and maritime transportation security and risk mitigation problems. ‘‘(iii) Whether the applicant can demonstrate that is has an established, nationally recognized program in disciplines that contribute directly to maritime transportation safety and education. ‘‘(iv) Whether the applicant’s investigations will involve major United States ports on the East Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the West Coast, and Federal agen cies and other entities with expertise in port and mari time transportation. ‘‘(v) Whether the applicant has a strategic plan for carrying out the proposed investigations under the grant. ‘‘(4) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.— ‘‘(A) NO DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.—Before making any grant, the Secretary shall coordinate with other Federal
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