(a) Grant program

(1) Competitive grant program

The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to encourage basic and applied research and the development of qualified agricultural countermeasures.

(2) Waiver in emergencies

The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) that a grant be provided on a competitive basis if—

(A) the Secretary has declared a plant or animal disease emergency under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) or the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.); and

(B) waiving the requirement would lead to the rapid development of a qualified agricultural countermeasure, as determined by the Secretary.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—

(1) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and

(2) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.