(a) In general

(1) Grants

On the application of an eligible recipient, the Secretary may make grants for training, research, and technical assistance, including grants for program evaluation and economic impact analyses, that would be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment.

(2) Types of assistance

Grants under paragraph (1) may be used for—

(A) project planning and feasibility studies;

(B) demonstrations of innovative activities or strategic economic development investments;

(C) management and operational assistance;

(D) establishment of university centers;

(E) establishment of business outreach centers;

(F) studies evaluating the needs of, and development potential for, economic growth of areas that the Secretary determines have substantial need for the assistance;

(G) studies that evaluate the effectiveness of coordinating projects funded under this chapter with projects funded under other Acts;

(H) assessment, marketing, and establishment of business clusters; and

(I) other activities determined by the Secretary to be appropriate.

(3) Cooperation requirement

In the case of a project assisted under this section that is national or regional in scope, the Secretary may waive the provision in section 3122(4)(A)(vi) of this title requiring a nonprofit organization or association to act in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.

(b) Methods of provision of assistance

In providing research and technical assistance under this section, the Secretary, in addition to making grants under subsection (a), may—

(1) provide research and technical assistance through officers or employees of the Department;

(2) pay funds made available to carry out this section to Federal agencies; or

(3) employ private individuals, partnerships, businesses, corporations, or appropriate institutions under contracts entered into for that purpose.