Summary

Directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture to run joint, coordinated research and development activities that advance both agencies’ mission priorities. It requires an interagency agreement, a competitive merit‑review process for selecting projects, and a wide set of permitted research areas (for example: AI/data, biofuels, grid modernization, and wildfire risk). The agencies may use reimbursable and other collaborative arrangements and must submit a joint report to congressional committees within two years. Activities must follow existing federal research‑security rules.

• Requires DOE and USDA to carry out joint, competitive, merit‑reviewed R&D activities that advance both agencies’ priorities.
• Mandates an interagency agreement to govern collaboration and allows reimbursable and other interagency funding arrangements.
• Authorizes a broad list of shared research focus areas, including AI/data, biofuels, grid modernization, and wildfire risk reduction.
• Requires compliance with federal research‑security rules to protect sensitive research and technologies.
• Directs a joint report to congressional committees within two years describing activities and outcomes.
• Does not itself appropriate funds; agencies will use existing budget authorities and reimbursable mechanisms to support work.
• Aims to speed cross‑sector innovation, reduce overlap, and better align federal R&D investments across energy and agriculture.