POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

SEC. 807. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS. The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1419 (7 U.S.C. 3154) the following: “SEC. 1419A. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS. “(a) In General.— Consistent with this section, the Secretary may make grants, competitive grants, and special research grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements and other contracting instruments with, policy research centers described in subsection (b) to conduct research and education programs that are objective, operationally independent, and external to the Federal Government and that concern the effect of public policies on— “(1) the farm and agricultural sectors; “(2) the environment; “(3) rural families, households, and economies; and “(4) consumers, food, and nutrition. “(b) Eligible Recipients.— State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, private organizations, corporations, and individuals shall be eligible to apply for funding under subsection (a). “(c) Activities.— Under this section, funding may be provided for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education concerning policy research activities consistent with this section, including activities that— “(1) quantify the implications of public policies and regulations; “(2) develop theoretical and research methods; “(3) collect and analyze data for policymakers, analysts, and individuals; and “(4) develop programs to train analysts. “(d) Authorization of Appropriations.— There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years 1996 and 1997.”.