U.S. Code > Title 7 Agriculture > CHAPTER 64—AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING (§§ 3101—3363) > SUBCHAPTER III—AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS (§§ 3151—3156) > § 3155. Policy research centers

§ 3155. Policy research centers

(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) the farm and agricultural sectors (including commodities, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops);
(2) the environment;
(3) rural families, households, and economies; and
(4) consumers, food, and nutrition.
(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.
(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) quantify the implications of public policies and regulations;
(2) develop theoretical and research methods;
(3) collect, analyze, and disseminate data for policymakers, analysts, and individuals; and
(4) develop programs to train analysts.
(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.