Cooperative Institute Act of 2026

The "Cooperative Institute Act of 2026" directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Cooperative Institute program . These Cooperative Institutes are defined as academic or research partnerships between NOAA and eligible non-Federal academic or nonprofit research institutions, formed to conduct collaborative, long-term research relevant to NOAA's mission. The program's primary goals are to promote basic and applied research, education, training, and outreach that aligns with NOAA's mission. It also seeks to fund research capabilities not existing within NOAA and expand research capacity in related sciences. Cooperative Institutes achieve these goals by conducting collaborative research, leveraging scientific expertise, supporting student and postdoctoral scientist participation, and strengthening research capacity within partner institutions. New Cooperative Institutes may be established through cooperative agreements, typically via an open competition and merit-based peer-review process , though limited competitions are permitted with justification. The bill authorizes NOAA to collocate Federal employees and Cooperative Institute staff to foster collaboration. Financial assistance is provided through 5-year Federal awards, with a potential second 5-year award based on an externally led peer review process. The Under Secretary is required to assess emerging research needs every two years to determine the necessity for additional institutes. Furthermore, the bill outlines a process for discontinuing an institute, requiring a detailed written report and 60-day notification to appropriate congressional committees. Finally, it mandates the maintenance of a Cooperative Institute Handbook and explicitly directs the Under Secretary to maintain existing Cooperative Institutes unless formally terminated.