42 U.S.C. § 16358 — Strategic research portfolio analysis and coordination plan

(a) In general: The Secretary must periodically review all of the Department's science and technology activities within a strategic framework, considering: (1) the frontiers of science the Department can contribute to; (2) national needs relevant to the Department's statutory missions; and (3) global energy dynamics. (b) Coordination analysis and plan (1) In general: As part of the review under subsection (a), the Secretary must develop a plan to improve coordination and collaboration in research, development, demonstration, and commercial-application activities across the Department's organizational boundaries. (2) Plan contents: The plan must describe: (A) crosscutting scientific and technical issues and research questions spanning more than one program or major office; (B) how the Department's applied technology programs are coordinating activities and addressing those crosscutting issues; (C) ways the Department's technical interchange — particularly between the Office of Science and the applied technology programs — could be enhanced, including how their research agendas could better interact and assist each other; (D) how the Secretary would ensure the Department's overall research agenda includes both fundamental, curiosity-driven research and fundamental research tied to applied-program concerns, plus applications in Department technology programs of results from curiosity-driven research; (E) critical assessments of any ongoing programs that have had subpar performance or cost overruns of 10% or more over one or more years; (F) any activities that might be more effectively left to states, industry, nongovernmental organizations, universities, or other stakeholders; and (G) detailed evaluations and proposals for the Department's innovation hubs, institutes, and research centers, including (i) confirming that they will advance the Department's mission and prioritize research, development, and demonstration, and (ii) confirming that any such hubs, institutes, or research centers established or renewed within the Office of Science are consistent with the Office of Science's mission described in section 7139(c). (c) Submission to Congress: Every 4 years, the Secretary must submit to Congress (1) the results of the review under subsection (a), and (2) the coordination plan under subsection (b).