S. 5332: Cooperative Institute Act of 2026

This bill would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to keep operating its Cooperative Institute program. In plain terms, the bill tells NOAA to continue partnering with universities and other nonprofit research institutions to do scientific research, train students, and support outreach in areas related to NOAA’s mission.

What the program is

Under this bill, a Cooperative Institute is a long-term partnership between NOAA and an eligible non-federal academic or nonprofit research institution, or a group of such institutions. To qualify, the institution must already have a research program relevant to NOAA, involve students and postdoctoral researchers, and work with other institutes in the program.

What NOAA would have to do

The bill directs NOAA’s top ocean and atmosphere official to maintain the program and use it to:

• support basic and applied research related to NOAA’s work;
• fund research abilities that NOAA does not have in-house;
• expand research capacity in science areas connected to NOAA’s mission;
• support education, training, and outreach;
• involve undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in NOAA-related research.

How new institutes would be chosen

New Cooperative Institutes would generally be selected through an open competition and a merit-based peer review process. However, NOAA could limit the competition to a smaller pool of applicants if it determines that doing so is in the federal government’s best interest, as long as it explains why.

How the institutes would be run

The bill encourages NOAA to consolidate management and oversight when multiple institutions work together, if that would be more efficient overall. It also allows NOAA to place federal employees and institute staff together at the same facilities, or assign federal staff to work at the research institutions, when that arrangement makes sense for the institute’s work.

Funding and reviews

The bill says cooperative agreements may be supported by 5-year federal financial assistance awards. After that, NOAA could grant a second 5-year award following a renewal review. That review would be based on an outside peer-review process, with help from NOAA’s Science Advisory Board, and would measure performance against agreed-upon goals.

Ending or not renewing an institute

NOAA could terminate or decline to renew an institute, but it would have to notify the relevant congressional committees at least 60 days in advance and provide a written report. That report would need to explain why the institute is being ended, describe any performance or management problems, outline staff reassignment plans, and explain how the research needs will be met afterward.

Other requirements

The bill would require NOAA to maintain a handbook explaining how the program is managed, and to consult institute directors when updating it. It also says NOAA must keep the Cooperative Institutes that exist on the date the bill becomes law, unless they are terminated under the bill’s procedures.

Relevant Companies

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