46 U.S.C. § 50112 — National Maritime Enhancement Institutes

(a) The Secretary may designate National Maritime Enhancement Institutes.

(b) An institute’s activities may include: (1) researching ways to improve maritime-industry performance; (2) improving domestic maritime industries’ competitiveness in international trade; (3) forecasting maritime-trade trends; (4) assessing technology; (5) developing management programs and training; (6) analyzing the economic and operating effects of regulations and pending international negotiations or agreements; (7) assessing whether domestic maritime infrastructure works with overseas transport systems; (8) encouraging new maritime-transport pricing; and (9) improving maritime economics and finance.

(c) An institution seeking designation must apply under the Secretary’s regulations.

(d) The Secretary must base designation on: (1) the applicant’s demonstrated research and extension resources; (2) its ability to lead national and regional solutions to immediate and long-term domestic maritime problems; (3) an established research and training program to improve maritime industries; (4) its ability to gather and evaluate relevant national and international information and share research and education results through continuing education; and (5) its qualification as a nonprofit institution of higher learning.

(e) From appropriated money, the Secretary may give a designated institute awards requiring equal matching. The Federal share of all such awards may not exceed $500,000 in a year.

(f) The Secretary may give a designated institute a title 49, section 5505 grant for maritime and maritime-intermodal research as if it were a university transportation center. Through the Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, the Secretary must tell the Maritime Administration whether grant money is available and consult the Administration about making grants.