Research and Development Grants (Green Economy) Act, 1729

Legislative History

Status	Date	Tabled By	Vote Outcome
Introduced in the Federal Assembly	1719 AN	Deputy Renata Berganza (FCP)
Debated in the Federal Assembly	1719 AN
Passed in the Federal Assembly	1719 AN
Debated in the Chamber of Peers	1719 AN
Passed in the Chamber of Peers	1719 AN
Royal Assent	1719 AN

Bill Text

As submitted to the Hopper of the Federal Assembly, 1719 AN.

A

BILL

TO

Create specific research and development grants for IT, Biobased Products, and Energy (including nuclear); Among Other Purposes.

Research and Development Grants (Green Economy) Act, 1719

Ordered, by the Federal Assembly of Nouvelle Alexandrie,
to be Printed, 1719 AN.

_______________________________

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Federal Assembly, in this present session assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Article 1: Short Title.

1. This act shall be known as the Research and Development Grants (Green Economy) Act, 1719.
   

Article 2: Definitions.

1. "Information Technology" means the development, design, implementation, and management of computer-based information systems, software applications, and telecommunications networks..
2. "Biobased Products" means products derived from renewable biological sources, including plant-based, animal-based, and microbial-based materials, that are produced using sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices.
3. "Energy", for purposes of this act, means all forms of energy, including renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and technologies for energy production, distribution, and consumption.
   

PART II
GRANTS PROGRAM.

Article 3: Eligibility.

1. To be eligible for a grant under this Act, an applicant must:
   1. Be a Alexandrian-based company, research institution, or nonprofit organization.
   2. Demonstrate that the proposed project is feasible, innovative, and will contribute to the advancement of technology, sustainable development, or the reduction of carbon emissions.
   3. Provide a detailed project plan, timeline, budget, and expected outcomes.
   4. Agree to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.

Article 4: IT Grants.

1. The Department of Research and Development shall create a program of grants, and award them to eligible applicants for the purpose of supporting research, development, and commercialization of innovative Information Technology projects.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

1. 1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Developing new algorithms, models, and software for AI and ML applications, such as natural language processing, image recognition, and predictive analytics. It may involve research on explainability, fairness, and transparency of AI systems, as well as their ethical and social implications.
   2. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Conducting research and developing new technologies to protect against cyber attacks, data breaches, and privacy violations, including encryption, authentication, and intrusion detection systems. It may involve privacy-preserving data analytics, identity and access management, and related legal and ethical issues.
   3. Cloud Computing and Distributed Systems: Developing new approaches to distributed computing and data storage, such as crypto currencies, blockchain, and decentralized networks. It may involve improving the scalability, reliability, and efficiency of cloud computing and distributed systems, new architectures, protocols, and algorithms for data storage, processing, and communication, and security, privacy, and compliance in cloud and distributed environments.
   4. Internet of Things and Edge Computing: Developing new applications and devices that enable communication and data exchange between connected devices and sensors, including wearables, smart homes, and smart cities. It may involve new hardware and software platforms for IoT devices and sensors, as well as on data analytics, machine learning, and related privacy and security issues.
   5. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality: Developing new technologies and applications that enable immersive experiences, such as VR gaming, training simulations, and remote collaboration. It may involve new hardware and software platforms for AR and VR devices, as well as on user experience design, content creation, and related social and ethical issues.
      

Article 5: Biobased Products Grants.

1. The Department of Research and Development may award grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of supporting research, development, and commercialization of innovative Biobased Products projects.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

1. 1. Development of new biofuels: including bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas, from feedstocks like crops, forestry residues, and organic waste. This could involve research into developing new conversion technologies and optimizing the conversion process, increasing yield, reducing production costs, and testing the performance and economic viability.
   2. Development of bioplastics, and biochemicals: including biodegradable packaging, bio-based polymers, and specialty chemicals. This could involve developing new materials and testing their performance in various applications.
   3. Optimization of existing biobased products production processes: Including to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase yields. This could involve applying new technologies, such as automation and machine learning, to increase process control and monitoring, optimizing fermentation, separation, and purification processes, and identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the production chain.
   4. Research on new biobased feedstocks: including algae, switchgrass, and waste biomass, and their potential for use in producing renewable energy and bioproducts. This could include screening for novel microorganisms or plants that could be used as feedstocks, and assessing the sustainability and scalability of the new feedstocks.
   5. Life cycle assessment and sustainability analysis of biobased products: including to understand their environmental impact and inform decisions about their production and use. This could include quantifying the greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and resource use of biobased products.

Article 6: Energy Grants.

1. The Department of Research and Development may award grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of supporting research, development, and commercialization of innovative Energy projects.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

1. 1. Renewable energy generation and storage technologies: including solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. This could involve improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of renewable energy technologies, and developing new materials and components for reliable and cost-effective energy production and storage.
   2. Energy efficiency and demand-side management: including smart grid technologies and energy-efficient buildings and appliances. This could involve improving the efficiency of energy-consuming devices and equipment, developing smart technologies that can optimize energy use in buildings, factories, and other settings, and developing new demand response technologies that can adjust energy consumption based on changes in energy prices and grid conditions.
   3. Carbon capture and storage technologies: including direct air capture and carbon utilization. It may involve developing new methods and materials for capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, industrial facilities, and other sources, developing technologies for transporting and storing captured carbon dioxide in geological formations, and assessing the safety and environmental impact of carbon storage.
   4. Clean transportation technologies: including electric and hydrogen vehicles and their associated charging and refueling infrastructure. It may involve improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of electric and hydrogen vehicles, developing associated charging and refueling infrastructure, and developing new materials and components that can enable more sustainable and affordable transportation.
   5. Advanced nuclear energy technologies: including small modular reactors and next-generation nuclear reactors that have the potential to reduce nuclear waste and improve safety. It may involve improving the safety and reducing the costs of existing nuclear technologies, developing next-generation nuclear technologies, developing new methods and materials for managing nuclear waste, and assessing the environmental impact of nuclear power.

Article 7: Reporting.

1. Any grant recipient under this Act shall be required to provide the Department of Research and Development with periodic progress reports, financial statements, and other information as deemed necessary by the Department.
2. The Department of Research and Development shall report annually to the Cortes on the progress and outcomes of grants awarded under this Act, including the amount of funding awarded, the number and types of projects funded, and the impact of funded projects on technology advancement, sustainable development, and carbon emissions reduction.
   

PART III.
SUPPORT CHEMES FOR THE GRANTS PROGRAM.

Article 8: Education and Awareness Campaigns.

1. The Department of Research and Development establish and implement education and awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of information technology, renewable energy, and biobased products.
2. The campaigns shall target different audiences, including homeowners, renters, businesses, schools, and government agencies, and shall use a variety of channels, such as television and radio ads, social media campaigns, print materials, and events.
3. The campaigns shall provide information about the benefits of information technology, renewable energy, and biobased products, address common misconceptions about sustainable practices, and provide tips for adopting these practices in daily life.
4. The Department of Research and Development may establish partnerships with non-governmental organizations, businesses, and community groups to help disseminate the campaign messages and reach a wider audience.
   

Article 9: Research Partnerships.

1. The Department of Research and Development shall establish a funding mechanism to support public-private partnerships and collaborations between research institutions, industry, and government agencies for the development and commercialization of energy and biobased products technologies.
2. Eligible projects shall meet the following criteria:
   1. The project must involve a partnership between at least one research institution and one private entity or government agency.
   2. The project must aim to develop or commercialize energy or biobased products technologies that align with the goals of the Technology and Energy Grants Act 2023.
   3. The project must demonstrate a clear pathway to commercialization, including plans for intellectual property management, technology transfer, and market development.
   4. The project must have the potential to generate significant economic, environmental, or social benefits.
3. The Department of Research and Development shall establish an application and evaluation process for the research partnerships funding mechanism. The process shall include the following steps:
   1. Announcement of funding opportunity.
   2. Submission of a pre-proposal, including a project summary, budget, and timeline.
   3. Evaluation of pre-proposals based on the eligibility criteria.
   4. Invitation of selected pre-proposal applicants to submit a full proposal.
   5. Evaluation of full proposals based on the eligibility criteria and other factors, such as technical merit, commercial potential, and impact.
   6. Selection of projects for funding.
4. The Department of Research and Development shall establish reporting and monitoring requirements for the research partnerships funding mechanism. The requirements shall include regular progress reports and financial reports, as well as site visits and audits as deemed necessary by the Department.
5. The Department of Research and Development shall provide technical assistance to the research partnerships, including access to research facilities, subject matter experts, and other resources as appropriate.
6. The Department of Research and Development shall establish performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of the research partnerships funding mechanism in achieving its goals.
7. The funding for the research partnerships shall be subject to the availability of appropriations.

Article 10: Green Public Procurement.

1. The Department of Research and Development shall establish policies and guidelines to promote green public procurement at the national and local levels.
2. The policies and guidelines shall prioritize the procurement of energy-efficient and biobased products in government agencies and public institutions, wherever possible and economically feasible.
3. The policies and guidelines shall promote the use of life cycle assessments and sustainability criteria in the procurement process to ensure that the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the products are taken into account.
4. The Department of Research and Development shall provide technical assistance and capacity building to government agencies and public institutions to support the implementation of the green public procurement policies and guidelines.
5. The Department of Research and Development shall establish a mechanism for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the green public procurement policies and guidelines, including the procurement of energy-efficient and biobased products by government agencies and public institutions.
6. The Department of Research and Development shall collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including industry associations, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions, to promote the development and adoption of energy-efficient and biobased products technologies.
7. The Department of Research and Development may provide funding or other incentives to government agencies and public institutions that demonstrate a commitment to green public procurement and the procurement of energy-efficient and biobased products.
8. The Department of Research and Development shall report annually to the Cortes on the implementation of the green public procurement policies and guidelines, including the progress made towards the procurement of energy-efficient and biobased products.

PART IV.
CLOSING PROVISIONS.

Article 11: Appropriations.

1. The amounts necessary for the implementation of this Act are hereby appropriated from available funds not otherwise appropriated.

Article 12: Closing Provisions.

1. This act shall apply to all of the Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
2. This act shall not become law unless it has been given Royal Assent.
3. This act shall be published and made publicly available.
4. This act shall take effect on its approval.
5. If any provision of this act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.