I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9376 
To provide for a coordinated Federal initiative to accelerate unmanned aircraft 
systems civilian and advanced air mobility research and development 
for economic and national security, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 1, 2022 
Mr. LUCAS (for himself, Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma, Mr. BABIN, Mrs. KIM of 
California, and Mr. ELLZEY) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addi-
tion to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, Transportation and In-
frastructure, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for a coordinated Federal initiative to accelerate 
unmanned aircraft systems civilian and advanced air mo-
bility research and development for economic and na-
tional security, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Initiative 
Act’’. 
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Sec. 903. Allowance for the purposes of research and development. 
Sec. 904. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 905. Definitions. 
TITLE X—LIMITATION 
Sec. 1001. Limitation. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Unmanned aircraft systems have the poten-
tial to change and transform sectors of the United 
States economy. 
(2) Current uses and applications of unmanned 
aircraft systems include agriculture, law enforce-
ment, public safety, disaster evaluation and re-
sponse, fire detection, border security, weather fore-
casting, construction, utility monitoring, and many 
other uses and applications. 
(3) Research, development, demonstration, test-
ing, and evaluation of counter-UAS systems activi-
ties are critical to fully understand the capabilities 
of and threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. 
(4) Unmanned aircraft systems are subject to 
safety, privacy, cybersecurity, and supply chain 
risks, particularly as most unmanned aircraft sys-
tems in the United States are manufactured or as-
sembled from parts manufactured in foreign coun-
tries. 
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(5) National and homeland security threats 
posed by unmanned aircraft systems include crimi-
nal and terrorist use for espionage, surveillance, and 
intelligence gathering, smuggling drugs and contra-
band, and platforms to deliver explosives or chemi-
cals, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons, and 
other firearms. 
(6) The Federal Government has an important 
role in advancing research, development, voluntary 
consensus standards, and education activities in un-
manned aircraft systems and counter-UAS systems 
technologies through coordination and collaboration 
between State, local, Federal, and Tribal govern-
ments, academia, and the private sector. 
(7) There is a lack of voluntary consensus 
standards for unmanned aircraft systems for aca-
demia and the public and private sectors. 
(8) The United States needs to invest in domes-
tic manufacturing and secure supply chains of un-
manned aircraft systems to meet the demand by the 
Government and the commercial sectors, to reduce 
reliance on foreign-made systems. 
(9) Advanced air mobility aims to transform the 
way people and goods are transported through new 
capabilities and applications. 
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SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY.—The term ‘‘ad-
vanced air mobility’’ means air transportation sys-
tems that transport individuals and property be-
tween points in the United States using aircraft, 
such as remotely piloted, autonomous, or vertical 
take-off and landing aircraft, including those pow-
ered by electric or hybrid driven propulsions, in both 
controlled and uncontrolled airspace. 
(2) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Advi-
sory Committee’’ means the National Drone and Ad-
vanced Air Mobility Initiative Advisory Committee 
established under section 104(a). 
(3) 
COUNTER-UAS 
SYSTEM.—The 
term 
‘‘counter-UAS system’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 44801(5) of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(4) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘‘Initiative’’ means 
the National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Ini-
tiative established under section 101(a). 
(5) INITIATIVE OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Initiative 
Office’’ means the National Drone and Advanced Air 
Mobility Initiative Office established under section 
102(a). 
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(6) INSTITUTE.—The term ‘‘Institute’’ means a 
Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Research Institute 
described in section 201(b). 
(7) INTERAGENCY
COMMITTEE.—The terms 
‘‘Interagency Committee’’ means the interagency 
committee established under section 103(a). 
(8) NATIONAL LABORATORY.—The term ‘‘Na-
tional Laboratory’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 15801). 
(9) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.—The term 
‘‘unmanned aircraft system’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 44801(12) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 4. PURPOSES. 
The purpose of this Act is to ensure United States 
leadership in unmanned aircraft systems by— 
(1) supporting research, development, dem-
onstration, and testing of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems in order to— 
(A) lead in secure and next generation un-
manned aircraft systems, including counter- 
UAS systems; 
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(B) promote further development of facili-
ties and centers available for unmanned aircraft 
systems research, testing, and education; 
(C) stimulate research on and promote 
more rapid development of unmanned aircraft 
systems; 
(D) promote domestic manufacturing of 
unmanned aircraft systems; 
(E) mitigate supply chain risks; 
(F) mitigate risks to public safety and na-
tional and homeland security; 
(G) prepare the present and future United 
States workforce for the integration of un-
manned aircraft systems across sectors of the 
economy; 
(H) promote the development and adoption 
of curriculum and research opportunities for 
unmanned aircraft systems; 
(I) enable the advanced air mobility sys-
tems ecosystem; 
(J) enhance and accelerate the integration 
of unmanned aircraft systems into the National 
Airspace System; 
(K) improve safety and sustainability of 
ground transportation; 
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(L) address basic research knowledge gaps; 
(M) maximize the benefits of unmanned 
aircraft systems; 
(N) increase and improve environmental 
observations and monitoring; and 
(O) establish a robust data management 
strategy for scientific data collected by un-
manned systems; 
(2) improving the interagency planning and co-
ordination of Federal research and development of 
unmanned aircraft systems and maximizing the ef-
fectiveness of the Federal Government’s unmanned 
aircraft systems research and development pro-
grams; 
(3) promoting research and development col-
laboration among State, local, Tribal, and Federal 
Governments, National Laboratories, industry, and 
universities; 
(4) promoting the development of voluntary 
consensus standards for unmanned aircraft systems; 
and 
(5) supporting development of an advanced air 
mobility ecosystem in the United States. 
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TITLE I—NATIONAL DRONE AND 
ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY INI-
TIATIVE 
SEC. 101. NATIONAL DRONE AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY 
INITIATIVE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
and implement an initiative to be known as the ‘‘National 
Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Initiative’’. 
(b) INITIATIVE ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the Ini-
tiative, the President shall, acting through the Initiative 
Office, the Interagency Committee, and agency heads as 
the President considers appropriate, carry out activities 
that include the following: 
(1) Sustained, consistent, and coordinated sup-
port for next generation unmanned aircraft systems 
and counter-UAS systems research and development 
through 
grants, 
cooperative 
agreements, 
and 
testbeds. 
(2) Support to enable advanced air mobility. 
(3) Support for the development of voluntary 
consensus standards and best practices for the devel-
opment and use of unmanned aircraft systems. 
(4) Support for education and training activi-
ties at all levels to prepare the United States work-
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force to use and interact with unmanned aircraft 
systems. 
(5) Support partnerships to leverage knowledge 
and resources from industry, State, local, Tribal, 
and Federal Governments, National Laboratories, 
Federal Aviation Administration-designated Un-
manned Aircraft Systems Test Sites, academic insti-
tutions, and others education to advance activities 
under the Initiative. 
(6) Interagency planning and coordination of 
Federal unmanned aircraft systems research, devel-
opment, demonstration, standards engagement, and 
other activities under the Initiative. 
(7) Leverage of existing Federal investments to 
advance the objectives of the Initiative. 
(8) Promote hardware inoperability, open- 
source systems, and standards-driven hardware. 
SEC. 102. NATIONAL DRONE AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY 
INITIATIVE OFFICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall establish or designate, 
and appoint a director of, an office to be known as the 
‘‘National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Initiative Of-
fice’’ to carry out the responsibilities described in sub-
section (b) with respect to the Initiative. The Initiative 
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Office shall have sufficient staff to carry out such respon-
sibilities, including staff detailed from the Federal depart-
ments and agencies described in section 103(c). 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director of the Initia-
tive Office shall— 
(1) provide technical and administrative support 
to— 
(A) the Interagency Committee; and 
(B) the Advisory Committee; 
(2) serve as the point of contact on Federal ci-
vilian unmanned aircraft systems activities for Gov-
ernment organizations, academia, industry, profes-
sional societies, State, local, Tribal, and Federal 
Governments, and other stakeholders to exchange 
technical and programmatic information; 
(3) conduct public outreach, including dissemi-
nation of findings and recommendations of the Advi-
sory Committee, as appropriate; 
(4) promote access to and early application of 
technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from 
Initiative activities to agency missions and systems 
across the Federal Government, and to United 
States industry; and 
(5) establish a robust data management strat-
egy that ensures digital access and machine-read-
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ability; that promotes findability, interoperability, 
analysis- and decision-readiness and reusability; and 
ensures applicable scientific data are managed for 
wide use by Federal, State, Tribal, and local govern-
ments, academia, and the public. 
(c) FUNDING.—The Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall develop an estimate of the 
funds necessary to carry out the activities of the Initiative, 
and submit such estimate to Congress not later than 90 
days after the enactment of this Act. The Director shall 
update this estimate each fiscal year. 
(d) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the Initiative 
Office, the Director shall coordinate with the National Ar-
tificial Intelligence Initiative Office and the Advanced Air 
Mobility Working Group to avoid duplication of research 
and other activities to ensure that the activities carried 
out by the Initiative Office are complementary to those 
being undertaken by other interagency efforts. 
SEC. 103. COORDINATION BY INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, acting through the Na-
tional Science and Technology Council, shall establish or 
designate an Interagency Committee to coordinate Federal 
programs and activities in support of the Initiative. 
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(b) CO-CHAIRS.—The Interagency Committee shall 
be co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy and, on a rotating basis, a representa-
tive from the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology, the National Science Foundation, the Federal 
Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, or the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, as selected by the Director of 
the Office of Science and Technology Policy. 
(c) AGENCY PARTICIPATION.—The Committee shall 
include— 
(1) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology; 
(2) the National Science Foundation; 
(3) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration; 
(4) the Department of Homeland Security; 
(5) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration; 
(6) the Department of Energy; 
(7) the Federal Aviation Administration; 
(8) the Department of Defense; 
(9) the Office of Management and Budget; 
(10) the Office of the Director of National In-
telligence; 
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(11) the Office of Science and Technology Pol-
icy; 
(12) the General Services Administration; 
(13) the Department of Justice; 
(14) the Department of Agriculture; 
(15) the Department of the Interior; 
(16) the Federal Communications Commission; 
and 
(17) any other Federal agency considered ap-
propriate by the President. 
(d) COORDINATION.—The Interagency Committee 
shall coordinate with the National Security Council and 
other authorized agency coordinating bodies on the assess-
ment of risks posed by the existing Federal unmanned air-
craft systems fleet and outlining potential steps to miti-
gate these risks. 
(e) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Interagency Committee 
shall— 
(1) provide for interagency coordination of Fed-
eral unmanned aircraft systems research, develop-
ment, and demonstration activities, development of 
voluntary consensus standards and guidelines for re-
search, development, testing, and adoption of un-
manned aircraft systems, scientific data manage-
ment and education and training activities and pro-
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grams of Federal departments and agencies under-
taken pursuant to the Initiative; 
(2) not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, develop a strategic plan for 
unmanned aircraft systems (to be updated not less 
than every 3 years thereafter) that— 
(A) 
establishes 
goals, 
priorities, 
and 
metrics for guiding and evaluating the Initia-
tive’s activities; and 
(B) describes how the agencies carrying 
out the Initiative will— 
(i) determine and prioritize areas of 
unmanned aircraft systems and counter- 
UAS systems research, development, and 
demonstration requiring Federal Govern-
ment leadership and investment; 
(ii) support long-term funding for un-
manned aircraft systems research, develop-
ment, demonstration, education and public 
outreach activities, and existing Federal 
Aviation 
Administration-designated 
Un-
manned Aircraft Systems Test Site facili-
ties; 
(iii) support research and other activi-
ties on national security, safety, societal, 
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economic, legal, workforce, and other ap-
propriate societal issues related unmanned 
aircraft systems; 
(iv) provide or facilitate access to the 
necessary facilities, including existing Fed-
eral 
Aviation 
Administration-designated 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Sites, 
for unmanned aircraft systems research, 
development, testing, and demonstration; 
(v) reduce barriers to transferring un-
manned aircraft systems from the labora-
tory into application for the benefit of soci-
ety and United States competitiveness; 
(vi) support the development of an ad-
vanced air mobility ecosystem; and 
(vii) in consultation with the Council 
of Economic Advisers, measure and track 
the contributions of unmanned aircraft 
systems to United States economic growth 
and other societal indicators; 
(3) propose an annually coordinated interagency 
budget for the Initiative to the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget that is intended to ensure that the 
balance of funding across the Initiative is sufficient 
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to meet the goals and priorities established for the 
Initiative; and 
(4) in carrying out this section, take into con-
sideration the recommendations of the Advisory 
Committee, existing reports on related topics, and 
the views of academic, State, industry, and other ap-
propriate groups. 
(f) REPORT.—For each fiscal year beginning with fis-
cal year 2023, not later than 90 days after submission 
of the President’s annual budget request for such fiscal 
year, the Interagency Committee shall prepare and submit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 
that includes— 
(1) a summarized budget in support of the Ini-
tiative for such fiscal year and the preceding fiscal 
year, including a disaggregation of spending for each 
Federal agency participating in the Initiative; and 
(2) an assessment of how Federal agencies are 
implementing the plan described in subsection 
(e)(2), and a description of those efforts. 
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SEC. 104. NATIONAL DRONE AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY 
INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall establish or 
designate a National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility 
Initiative Advisory Committee. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Advisory Committee es-
tablished by the President under subsection (a) shall con-
sist of members from industry, academic institutions, 
State and local governmental organizations, and Federal 
laboratories, including representatives from underserved 
communities. The President shall appoint members to the 
Advisory Committee who are qualified to provide advice 
and information on unmanned aircraft systems research, 
development, demonstrations, education, technology trans-
fer, commercial application, or national security and eco-
nomic concerns. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP CONSIDERATION.—In selecting Ad-
visory Committee members, the President may seek and 
give consideration to recommendations from the Congress, 
industry, the scientific community (including the National 
Academies, scientific professional societies, and aca-
demia), the defense community, and other appropriate or-
ganizations. 
(d) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall advise 
the President and the Initiative Office on matters related 
to the Initiative, including recommendations related to— 
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(1) the current state of United States competi-
tiveness and leadership in unmanned aircraft sys-
tems, including the scope and scale of United States 
investments in unmanned aircraft systems research 
and development; 
(2) trends and developments in unmanned air-
craft systems technology, including barriers to adop-
tion and use of unmanned aircraft systems; 
(3) progress made in implementing the Initia-
tive; 
(4) the management, coordination, and activi-
ties of the Initiative; 
(5) whether the strategic plan developed or up-
dated by the Interagency Committee established 
under section 103(e)(2) is helping to maintain 
United States leadership in unmanned aircraft sys-
tems; 
(6) data management strategies to ensure wide 
use of the scientific data collected while protecting 
personally identifiable information; and 
(7) whether national security, safety, societal, 
economic, legal, and workforce concerns are ade-
quately addressed by the Initiative. 
(e) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
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once every 3 years thereafter, the Advisory Committee 
shall submit to the President, the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate, a report on the Advisory Committee’s 
findings and recommendations under subsection (d). 
(f) CONSULTATION.—The Advisory Committee shall 
consult with the Federal Aviation Administration Ad-
vanced Aviation Advisory Committee to ensure consistency 
and avoid duplication of effort. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES
OF NON-FEDERAL MEM-
BERS.—Non-Federal members of the Advisory Committee, 
while attending meetings of the Advisory Committee or 
while otherwise serving at the request of the head of the 
Advisory Committee away from their homes or regular 
places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by sec-
tion 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals 
in the Government serving without pay. Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the 
Advisory Committee who are officers or employees of the 
United States from being allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with ex-
isting law. 
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(h) EXEMPTION.—The Advisory Committee shall be 
exempt from section 14 of the Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
SEC. 105. GAO STUDY ON FOREIGN DRONES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General shall conduct 
a study on the use of foreign-made unmanned aircraft sys-
tems in the Federal Government unmanned aircraft fleet. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study under subsection (a) 
shall include the following: 
(1) A review of policies and practices of the 
Federal Government for the procurement and oper-
ation of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured, 
assembled, use components manufactured in or soft-
ware developed by a covered foreign entity on the 
list maintained pursuant to subsection (d). 
(2) An assessment of the following: 
(A) The physical safety, privacy, cyberse-
curity, and supply chain risks associated with 
these technologies. 
(B) The operation of these technologies 
across the Federal Government. 
(C) The trustworthiness and resilience of 
these technologies. 
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(D) The availability of unmanned aircraft 
systems from domestic sources for government 
use. 
(c) GAO REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall issue a report to Congress containing all findings and 
determinations made in carrying out the study required 
under subsection (a). 
TITLE II—NATIONAL DRONE AND 
ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY RE-
SEARCH INSTITUTES 
SEC. 201. NATIONAL DRONE AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY 
RESEARCH INSTITUTES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the Initiative, the Ad-
ministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration shall establish a program to award financial as-
sistance for the planning, establishment, and support of 
a network of Institutes (as described in subsection (b)(2)) 
in accordance with this section. 
(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISH
AND 
SUPPORT NATIONAL DRONE AND ADVANCED AIR MOBIL-
ITY RESEARCH INSTITUTES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Initiative, the Di-
rector of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology, the Director of the National Science 
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Foundation, the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration, and any other 
agency head may award financial assistance, includ-
ing jointly with other agencies, to an eligible entity, 
or consortia thereof, as determined by an agency 
head, to establish and support an Institute. 
(2) DRONE AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY IN-
STITUTES.—An Institute described in this subsection 
is an unmanned aircraft systems research institute 
that— 
(A) may focus on— 
(i) a particular economic or social sec-
tor, including education, manufacturing, 
agriculture, security, energy, environment, 
and public safety, and includes a compo-
nent that addresses the ethical, societal, 
safety, and security implications relevant 
to the application of unmanned aircraft 
systems in that sector; or 
(ii) a cross-cutting challenge for re-
search, development, testing, or use of un-
manned aircraft systems; 
(B) requires partnership among public and 
private organizations, including, as appropriate, 
Federal agencies, academic institutions, non-
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profit research organizations, Federal labora-
tories, State, local, and Tribal governments, in-
dustry and others (or consortia thereof); 
(C) has the potential to create an innova-
tion ecosystem, or enhance existing ecosystems, 
to translate Institute research into applications 
and products, as appropriate to the topic of 
each Institute; 
(D) supports and coordinates interdiscipli-
nary research and development across multiple 
institutions and organizations involved in un-
manned aircraft systems research and related 
disciplines, which may include physics, engi-
neering, mathematical sciences, computer and 
information science, robotics, material science, 
cybersecurity, and technology ethics; 
(E) supports interdisciplinary education 
activities at all levels, including curriculum de-
velopment, research experiences, and faculty 
professional development across two-year, un-
dergraduates, masters, and doctoral level pro-
grams; 
(F) establishes a robust data management 
strategy that ensures digital access and ma-
chine-readability; that promotes findability, 
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interoperability, analysis- and decision-readiness 
and reusability; and ensures applicable scientific 
data are managed for wide use by Federal, 
State, Tribal, and local governments, academia 
and the public; and 
(G) supports workforce development in un-
manned aircraft systems related disciplines in 
the United States, including broadening partici-
pation of underrepresented communities. 
(3) USE
OF
FUNDS.—Financial assistance 
awarded under paragraph (1) may be used by an In-
stitute for— 
(A) managing and making available to re-
searchers accessible, curated, standardized, se-
cure, and privacy protected data sets from the 
public and private sectors for the purposes of 
training and testing unmanned aircraft systems 
and for research and development using un-
manned aircraft systems; 
(B) developing and managing testbeds, in-
cluding Federal Aviation Administration-des-
ignated Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Sites, 
for unmanned aircraft systems, including sec-
tor-specific test beds, designed to enable users 
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to evaluate unmanned aircraft systems prior to 
deployment; 
(C) conducting research and education ac-
tivities involving unmanned aircraft systems to 
solve challenges with economic, scientific, and 
national security implications; 
(D) conducting research and development 
on unmanned aircraft systems platform devel-
opment and innovation; 
(E) providing or brokering access to com-
puting resources, networking, and data facilities 
for unmanned aircraft systems research and de-
velopment relevant to the Institute’s research 
goals; 
(F) providing technical assistance to users, 
including software engineering support, for un-
manned aircraft systems research and develop-
ment relevant to the Institute’s research goals; 
(G) supporting the purchase of unmanned 
aircraft systems software; 
(H) engaging in outreach and engagement 
to broaden participation in unmanned aircraft 
systems research, development and workforce; 
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(I) supporting artificial intelligence and 
machine learning research related to unmanned 
aircraft systems; and 
(J) such other activities that an agency 
head whose agency’s missions contribute to or 
are affected by unmanned aircraft systems de-
termines is appropriate to fulfill the agency’s 
missions. 
(4) DURATION.— 
(A) INITIAL PERIODS.—An award of finan-
cial assistance under paragraph (1) shall be for 
an initial period of up to 5 years, subject to Of-
fice of Management and Budget uniform guid-
ance for Federal assistance. 
(B) EXTENSION.—An established Institute 
may apply for, and the agency head may grant, 
extended funding for periods of 5 years on a 
merit-reviewed basis using the merit review cri-
teria of the sponsoring agency, subject to Office 
of Management and Budget uniform guidance 
for Federal assistance. 
(5) APPLICATION
FOR
FINANCIAL
ASSIST-
ANCE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A person or group of 
persons seeking financial assistance under para-
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graph (1) shall submit to an agency head an 
application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the agency head 
may require. 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—An application sub-
mitted under subparagraph (A) for an Institute 
shall, at a minimum, include the following: 
(i) A plan for the Institute to in-
clude— 
(I) the proposed goals and activi-
ties of the Institute; 
(II) a description of how the In-
stitute will form partnerships with 
other research institutions, industry, 
nonprofits, academic institutions, and 
others to leverage expertise in un-
manned aircraft systems and access to 
data; 
(III) a description of how the in-
stitute will support long-term and 
short-term education and workforce 
development in unmanned aircraft 
systems, including broadening partici-
pation of underrepresented commu-
nities; and 
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(IV) a description of how the In-
stitute will transition from planning 
into operations. 
(ii) A description of the anticipated 
sources and nature of any non-Federal 
contributions or other Federal agency 
funding. 
(iii) A data management plan that ad-
dresses the collection, use, retention, pro-
tection, dissemination, and management of 
data collected, consistent with the purposes 
of this Act. 
(iv) A description of the anticipated 
long-term impact of such Institute. 
(6) COMPETITIVE MERIT REVIEW.—In awarding 
financial assistance under paragraph (1), the agency 
shall— 
(A) use a competitive merit review process 
that includes peer review by a diverse group of 
individuals with relevant expertise from both 
the private and public sectors; and 
(B) ensure the focus areas of the Institute 
do not substantially duplicate the efforts of any 
other Institute. 
(7) COLLABORATION.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—In awarding financial 
assistance under paragraph (1), an agency head 
may collaborate with Federal departments and 
agencies whose missions contribute to or are af-
fected by unmanned aircraft systems, including 
the agencies outlined in section 103(c). 
(B) COORDINATING NETWORK.—The Ad-
ministrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration shall establish a network 
of Institutes receiving financial assistance under 
this subsection, to be known as the ‘‘Drone 
Leadership Network’’, to coordinate cross-cut-
ting research and other activities carried out by 
the Institutes. 
(C) FUNDING.—The head of an agency 
may request, accept, and provide funds from 
other Federal departments and agencies, State, 
United States territory, local, or Tribal govern-
ment agencies, private sector for-profit entities, 
and nonprofit entities, to be available to the ex-
tent provided by appropriations Acts, to support 
an Institute’s activities. The head of an agency 
may not give any special consideration to any 
agency or entity in return for a donation. 
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(E) supply chain risks for unmanned air-
craft systems; and 
(F) all other areas deemed by the Director 
to be critical to the development and deploy-
ment of unmanned aircraft systems; 
(2) support one or more Institutes as described 
in section 201(a) of this Act for the purpose of ad-
vancing unmanned aircraft systems; 
(3) produce curated, standardized, representa-
tive, secure, and privacy protected data sets for un-
manned aircraft systems research, development, and 
use, prioritizing data for high-value, high-risk re-
search; 
(4) support and strategically engage in the de-
velopment of voluntary consensus standards, includ-
ing international standards, through open, trans-
parent, and consensus-based processes; 
(5) enter into and perform such contracts, in-
cluding cooperative research and development ar-
rangements and grants and cooperative agreements 
or other transactions, as may be necessary in the 
conduct of the work of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology and on such terms as the 
Director considers appropriate, in furtherance of the 
purposes of this Act; and 
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(6) coordinate the development of voluntary and 
consensus standards and best practices with other 
Federal agencies as appropriate. 
(b) DATA SHARING BEST PRACTICES.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Director shall, in collaboration with other public and pri-
vate sector organizations, develop guidance to facilitate 
the creation of voluntary data sharing arrangements be-
tween industry, federally funded research centers, and 
Federal agencies for the purpose of advancing unmanned 
aircraft systems research and technologies, including op-
tions for partnership models between government entities, 
industry, universities, and nonprofits that incentivize each 
party to share the data they collected. The Director shall 
also ensure that data are archived in a manner to in order 
to promote findability, interoperability, analysis- and deci-
sion-readiness and reusability of historical and near real 
time data across Federal, State, Tribal, local users, includ-
ing ensuring digital access and machine-readability. 
(c) SOLICITATION OF INPUT.—In carrying out the ac-
tivities under this subsection, the Director shall— 
(1) solicit input from university researchers, 
private sector experts, relevant Federal agencies, 
Federal laboratories, State, local, and Tribal govern-
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ments, civil society groups, and other relevant stake-
holders; and 
(2) provide opportunity for public comment on 
guidelines and best practices developed as part of 
the Initiative, as appropriate. 
(d) DRONE RESEARCH CHALLENGES.— 
(1) PRIZE COMPETITION.—Pursuant to section 
24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719), the Director shall, 
subject to appropriations, carry out a program to 
award prizes competitively to stimulate research and 
development of innovative unmanned aircraft sys-
tems technologies in order to expand upon and im-
prove emergency response operations. 
(2) PLAN FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPER-
ATIONS.—Each prize competition entry submitted 
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include a plan for 
unmanned aircraft systems implementation in emer-
gency response operations. 
(3) PRIZE AMOUNT.—In carrying out the pro-
gram under paragraph (1), the Director may award 
not more than a total of $2,250,000 to one or more 
winners of the prize competition. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
date on which a prize is awarded under the prize 
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competition, the Director shall submit to the rel-
evant committees of Congress a report that describes 
the winning entry of the prize competition. 
(5) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the pro-
gram under subsection (a), the Director may consult 
with the heads of relevant departments and agencies 
of the Federal Government. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology to carry out this section— 
(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; 
(2) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(3) $22,050,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(4) $23,152,500 for fiscal year 2026; and 
(5) $24,310,125 for fiscal year 2027. 
SEC. 302. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECH-
NOLOGY MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to se-
cure the United States international leadership in un-
manned aircraft systems by strengthening its industrial 
base through the bolstering of domestic supply chains and 
the development and adoption of innovative manufacturing 
processes. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYS-
TEMS PILOT PROGRAM AS A PART OF THE MANUFAC-
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TURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP.—The National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et 
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 25B the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 25C. EXPANSION AWARDS FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 
SYSTEMS PILOT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—The terms used in this section 
have the meanings given the terms in section 25. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish 
as a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Part-
nership a pilot program of expansion awards among par-
ticipants described in subsection (c) of this section for the 
purposes described in subsection (e) of this section. 
‘‘(c) PARTICIPANTS.—Participants receiving awards 
under this section shall be Centers, or a consortium of 
Centers. 
‘‘(d) AWARD AMOUNTS.—Subject to the availability 
of appropriations, an award for a recipient under this sec-
tion shall be in an amount equal to the sum of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Such amount as the Director considers ap-
propriate as a minimum base funding level for each 
award under this section. 
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‘‘(2) Such additional amount as the Director 
considers in proportion to the manufacturing density 
of the region of the recipient. 
‘‘(3) Such supplemental amounts as the Direc-
tor considers appropriate. 
‘‘(e) PURPOSE OF AWARDS.—An award under this 
section shall be made for one or more of the following pur-
poses: 
‘‘(1) To provide coordinating services on— 
‘‘(A) the development of working concepts 
for new unmanned aircraft systems products, 
including review and design analysis; 
‘‘(B) the review and optimization of cur-
rent unmanned aircraft systems designs and 
components, including industrial engineering 
and manufacturing design upgrades; 
‘‘(C) rapid unmanned aircraft systems 
prototyping services, including three-dimen-
sional modeling; 
‘‘(D) software development for unmanned 
aircraft systems application; 
‘‘(E) commercialization of new products 
and technology to improve performance of un-
manned aircraft systems; and 
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‘‘(F) supporting existing unmanned air-
craft systems and components manufacturing 
operations and the development of unmanned 
aircraft systems and components manufacturing 
operations. 
‘‘(2) To provide services to improve the resil-
iency of domestic unmanned aircraft system supply 
chains. 
‘‘(3) To expand unmanned aircraft systems 
technology services to small and medium-sized man-
ufacturers and software developers, which may in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) facilitating the adoption of tech-
nologies, including smart manufacturing tech-
nologies and practices; and 
‘‘(B) establishing partnerships, for the de-
velopment, demonstration, and deployment of 
unmanned aircraft systems technologies, with— 
‘‘(i) National Laboratories (as defined 
in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)); 
‘‘(ii) Federal laboratories; 
‘‘(iii) Manufacturing USA institutes; 
‘‘(iv) Unmanned Aircraft Systems In-
dustry; and 
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‘‘(v) institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(f) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards under 
this section shall be submitted in such manner, at such 
time, and containing such information as the Director 
shall require in consultation with the Manufacturing Ex-
tension Partnership Advisory Board. 
‘‘(g) SELECTION.— 
‘‘(1) REVIEWED AND MERIT-BASED.—The Di-
rector shall ensure that awards under this section 
are reviewed and merit-based. 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHIC
DIVERSITY.—The Director 
shall endeavor to have broad geographic diversity 
among selected proposals. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA.—The Director shall select ap-
plications consistent with the purposes identified 
pursuant to subsection (e) to receive awards that the 
Director determines will achieve one or more of the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Improvement of the competitiveness 
of domestic unmanned aircraft systems indus-
tries in the region in which the Center or Cen-
ters are located. 
‘‘(B) Creation of jobs or training of newly 
hired employees. 
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‘‘(C) Promotion of the transfer and com-
mercialization of research and technology from 
institutions of higher education, national lab-
oratories, or other federally funded research 
programs, and nonprofit research institutes. 
‘‘(D) Any other result the Director deter-
mines will advance the objective set forth in 
section 25(c) or 26. 
‘‘(h) GLOBAL MARKETPLACE PROJECTS.—In making 
an award under this section, the Director, in consultation 
with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory 
Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration 
whether an application has significant potential for en-
hancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized 
United States manufacturers in the global marketplace for 
unmanned aircraft systems technologies. 
‘‘(i) DURATION.—The Director shall ensure that the 
duration of an award under this section is aligned and 
consistent with a Center’s cooperative agreement estab-
lished in section 25(e). 
‘‘(j) REPORT.—After the completion of the pilot pro-
gram under subsection (b) and not later than October 1, 
2025, the Director shall submit to Congress a report that 
includes— 
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‘‘(1) a summary description of what activities 
were funded and the measurable outcomes of such 
activities; 
‘‘(2) a description of which types of activities 
under paragraph (1) could be integrated into, and 
supported under, the program under section 25; 
‘‘(3) a description of which types of activities 
under paragraph (1) could be integrated into, and 
supported under, the competitive awards program 
under section 25A; and 
‘‘(4) a recommendation, supported by a clear 
explanation, as to whether the pilot program should 
be continued. 
‘‘(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot pro-
gram under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2023 through 2025.’’. 
(c) MANUFACTURING
EXTENSION
PARTNERSHIP 
SURVEY.— 
(1) SURVEY.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
carry out a survey of the Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership Centers (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘Centers’’) to understand the manufacturing ca-
pabilities of the United States manufacturers to sup-
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port a robust unmanned aircraft systems industry in 
the United States. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In conducting the survey re-
quired under subsection (a), the Director shall solicit 
feedback on the following: 
(A) Familiarity and current manufacturing 
work by small and mid-sized manufacturers on 
unmanned aircraft systems, including compo-
nents, software, sensors, or other technology as-
sociated with unmanned aircraft systems. 
(B) A list of the basic manufacturing pro-
cedures that can be easily converted to conduct 
the manufacturing of unmanned aircraft sys-
tems projects. 
(C) Potential for small and mid-sized man-
ufacturing to work with industry and academia 
to support the manufacturers of unmanned air-
craft systems prototypes. 
(D) Potential for commercialization of on-
going manufacturing development research re-
lated to unmanned aircraft systems projects. 
(E) A description of supply chain and tech-
nological challenges that small and mid-sized 
manufacturers face in building up unmanned 
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aircraft systems capacity, and the prevalence of 
these challenges. 
(F) Regulatory and legal barriers faced by 
small and mid-sized manufacturers and devel-
opers. 
(G) Any challenges that small and mid- 
sized manufacturers experience in recruiting 
skilled workers familiar with unmanned aircraft 
systems manufacturing. 
(H) Any other information that the Direc-
tor or the Board determine is appropriate. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after 
completing the survey required under subsection (a), 
the Director, in consultation with the Board, shall 
provide a report summarizing the results of the sur-
vey to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(d) MANUFACTURING USA PROGRAM.—The Direc-
tor, through the Manufacturing USA Program, shall 
prioritize research, development, and demonstration activi-
ties to enhance and grow the domestic manufacturing ca-
pacity of unmanned aircraft systems and components. 
Such activities may include— 
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(1) rapid-prototyping and reproduction of un-
manned aircraft systems structures; 
(2) additive manufacturing to improve capabili-
ties to produce large tools, dies, and molds for un-
manned aircraft systems and components; 
(3) testing innovative manufacturing processes 
and manufactured components to improve safety, en-
durance, and quality of unmanned aircraft systems; 
(4) development of software to streamline fab-
rication and integration of manufacturing compo-
nents, such as sensors for use in unmanned aircraft 
systems; and 
(5) any other activities that the Director con-
siders appropriate. 
(e) DEFINITION.—In this title, the term ‘‘Director’’ 
means the Director of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology. 
TITLE IV—NATIONAL SCIENCE 
FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 401. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the Initiative, the Di-
rector shall support research and STEM education and 
related activities in unmanned aircraft systems, compo-
nents, and related technologies, including competitive 
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awards or grants to institutions of higher education or eli-
gible nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof). 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—In carrying out the activities 
under subsection (a), the Director shall— 
(1) support fundamental research on the under-
lying technologies for unmanned aircraft systems, 
components and related technologies, which may in-
clude— 
(A) improving the safety and reliability of 
operation systems; 
(B) developing and improving autonomous 
control systems, including real-time control and 
autonomous decision making; 
(C) incorporating the use of artificial intel-
ligence into systems; 
(D) improving or developing materials for 
unmanned aircraft systems; 
(E) understanding safety and sustain-
ability of unmanned aircraft systems as a part 
of a transportation system, including the im-
pacts of unmanned aircraft systems on ground 
transportation; 
(F) developing and improving communica-
tions systems, including multivehicle coordina-
tion and task and path planning; and 
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(G) understanding the human-drone inter-
face; 
(2) support research and development of un-
manned aircraft system enabled uses, which may in-
clude— 
(A) creating new sensing tools to improve 
understanding, prediction, and detection of se-
vere weather and natural hazards, including 
wildfires; 
(B) enabling advanced air mobility; 
(C) monitoring and surveying infrastruc-
ture; 
(D) disaster reconnaissance, including the 
collection of data to model and simulate disas-
ters and assist responders; and 
(E) improving the reliable use of advanced 
sensing systems in rural and agricultural set-
tings; 
(3) support research on data modeling and vali-
dation of the use of unmanned aircraft systems; 
(4) support research and development on secu-
rity, including the cybersecurity, of unmanned aerial 
aircraft systems; 
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(5) support research on the ethical use of un-
manned aircraft systems, including protection of in-
dividual privacy; 
(6) support middle school and high school level 
STEM education research and related activities re-
lated to unmanned aircraft systems and related tech-
nologies, which may include— 
(A) supporting curriculum development re-
lating to unmanned aircraft system applica-
tions, including developing place-based learning 
curriculum, particularly for students in poor, 
rural, and Tribal communities; 
(B) utilizing unmanned aircraft systems 
technologies to advance the engagement of stu-
dents, including students in poor, rural, and 
Tribal communities students, in STEM through 
providing before school, after-school, out-of- 
school, or summer activities; 
(C) developing professional development re-
sources for STEM educators in utilizing un-
manned aircraft systems technologies and appli-
cations in their curriculum and classrooms, in-
cluding through distance-delivered courses; 
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(D) connecting relevant STEM curriculum 
to the design, construction and demonstration 
of unmanned aircraft systems; and 
(E) designing unmanned aircraft system 
related activities designed to help students 
make real-world connections to STEM content 
and educate students on the relevance and sig-
nificance of STEM careers; 
(7) support undergraduate and graduate edu-
cation and workforce development research and re-
lated activities related to unmanned aircraft systems 
and related technologies, which may include— 
(A) supporting curriculum development re-
lating to unmanned aircraft systems applica-
tions and technologies; 
(B) supporting hands-on research opportu-
nities at institutions of higher education, re-
search institutions, including National Labs, 
and industry for undergraduate and graduate 
students relating to unmanned aircraft systems 
applications and technologies; 
(C) facilitating participation in collegiate 
level unmanned systems robotic competitions; 
and 
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(D) ensuring that students pursuing mas-
ter’s degrees and doctoral degrees in fields re-
lating to unmanned aircraft systems are consid-
ered as applicants for scholarships and grad-
uate fellowships under the Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program under section 10 of the 
National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 
U.S.C. 1869); 
(8) support activities to develop a skilled tech-
nical workforce for supporting and operating un-
manned aircraft systems, which may include estab-
lishing national centers focused on educating and 
training the skilled technical workforce in unmanned 
aircraft 
system 
applications 
and 
technologies 
through the Advanced Scientific and Technical Edu-
cation Program as authorized by the Scientific and 
Advanced-Technology Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 
1862i), including by— 
(A) expanding educational resources to ad-
dress current workforce demands in unmanned 
aircraft system applications and technologies; 
(B) developing curriculum for community 
and technical colleges to train and upskill the 
skilled technical workforce in unmanned air-
craft system applications and technologies; 
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(C) engaging the skilled technical work-
force community in STEM and unmanned air-
craft system applications and technologies; and 
(D) in partnership with industry, employ-
ing activities to increase the visibility and utility 
of careers in unmanned aircraft applications 
and technologies; 
(9) engage veterans and departing members of 
the Armed Services in activities mentioned in para-
graphs (7) and (8); 
(10) support one or more Institutes as de-
scribed in section 201(a) for the purpose of advanc-
ing the field of unmanned aircraft systems; 
(11) support prize competitions pursuant to 
section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology In-
novation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719); 
(12) establish a robust data management strat-
egy that ensures digital access and machine-read-
ability; that promotes findability, interoperability, 
analysis- and decision-readiness and reusability; and 
ensures applicable scientific data are managed for 
wide use by Federal, State, Tribal, and local govern-
ments, academia and the public; and 
(13) any other activities the Director finds nec-
essary to meet the goals laid out in subsection (a). 
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