NC H1156

Establishes the Critical Technologies Research Fund administered by the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation to provide competitive grants up to $200,000 for research in critical technologies including clean energy, cybersecurity, electrical grid infrastructure, and drinking water infrastructure.

Requires at least 50% of grants to serve as matching funds for federal grants and allows the Board to allocate up to 10% of annual fund balance for other aligned purposes and up to 5% for administrative costs.

Prioritizes grants first for recycling of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage batteries, then for applications using funds as federal matching funds or reducing domestic dependence on foreign energy.

Grants are conditioned on written certification of proper use and compliance with Board requirements, with provisions allowing the Board to reduce or terminate grants and recapture funds for non-compliance.

Appropriates $4,000,000 in nonrecurring General Fund money to the Department of Commerce for the 2022-2023 fiscal year and requires annual reporting to the Joint Legislative Economic Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee and Fiscal Research Division.