DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act

This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to engage in cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities . These efforts are designed to support and advance the mission requirements and priorities of both agencies, fostering interagency cooperation through memoranda of understanding or other agreements. The bill outlines specific areas for collaboration, including propulsion systems like nuclear thermal and electric propulsion, advanced modeling and simulation, and quantum information sciences. It also covers fundamental high energy physics, astrophysics, cosmology, earth and environmental sciences, and radiation health effects, alongside promoting data sharing and NASA's access to DOE's research infrastructure. Competitive awards for these activities must follow a merit-review process , considering various entities. Within two years, the agencies must submit a report to Congress detailing their coordination activities, achievements, and future areas of collaboration, including potential applications of clean energy technologies.