Reproducibility and replication of scientific research

(a) In general (1) Authorization of awards The Director shall make awards, through a competitive, merit-review process to institutions of higher education to support the replication of federally funded research. (2) Restriction on discrimination In carrying out this section, the Director may not include, expressly or impliedly, any grant award condition or requirement for a grant applicant to engage in discrimination, grant preferential treatment, or impose adverse treatment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic for which discrimination is prohibited under Federal law in carrying out the proposed research. (b) Application (1) In general An institution of higher education seeking an award under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. (2) Contents An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum— (A) an identification of the federally funded research to be replicated; (B) a description of how the proposed replication would contribute to the reliability, transparency, and advancement of scientific knowledge; (C) evidence that the applicant has the capacity and capability to conduct the proposed replication with existing infrastructure or minimal need for new acquisitions; (D) a description of the number, size, and nature of any stipends that will be provided by the applicant to students and the reasons such stipends are needed; (E) an identification of any known conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment the applicant may have with respect to the proposed research; (F) metrics for analyzing the reproducibility of the research; and (G) a proposed timeline for completing the replication of the proposed research. (c) Review of applications In evaluating applications submitted under subsection (b), the Director— (1) shall consider, at a minimum— (A) the extent to which the proposed replication will contribute to greater scientific understanding; (B) the extent to which the applicant has the capability and capacity to carry out the proposed replication; (C) a cost-benefit analysis of conducting the proposed replication at the respective institution, including consideration of new infrastructure acquisitions; and (D) any scientific integrity implications of the applicant conducting the replication, including conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment; and (2) shall not discriminate against, grant preferential treatment to, or impose adverse treatment against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin or any other characteristic for which discrimination is prohibited under Federal law. (d) Use of funds (1) In general An institution of higher education that receives an award under this section shall use the funds to cover reasonable costs of activities supporting the replication of federally funded research, including— (A) tuition and stipends for eligible students described in paragraph (2); (B) materials, instrumentation, and associated facility costs; (C) travel for activities related to research replication; and (D) costs associated with analysis of the scientific reproducibility of federally funded research. (2) Eligible students A student is eligible to receive support under this section if the student— (A) is— (i) a citizen of the United States; (ii) a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); or (iii) an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; (B) intends to enroll, or is enrolled full-time, in a research-based master’s degree program in a STEM field; (C) holds a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field related to the research for which the student seeks support; and (D) has not received a doctoral or terminal degree in any field. (e) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the first award made under this section, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report summarizing— (1) the total number of replication awards made under this section; (2) the total number of students supported under this section; (3) the number of replication awards made under this section, by academic field and original funding agency; and (4) an analysis of the reproducibility of the findings of the original research compared with the findings of the replicated research supported under this section.