; and (D) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the following: (4) Research (A) In General From amounts made available under subsection (f), the Secretary, after consultation with the Director, the Commissioner for Education Research, and the States, and with input from the independent advisory panel established under subsection (d)(1)(A), shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education, or to consortia of one or more institutions of higher education and one or more private nonprofit organizations or agencies, to carry out one or more of the activities described in subparagraph (B). (B) Grant activities An institution or consortium receiving a grant under this paragraph shall use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following activities: (i) Evidence-based research and evaluation for the purpose of developing, improving, and identifying the most successful methods for— (I) eliminating inequities in access to, and in opportunities for, learning, skill development, or effective teaching in career and technical education programs; and (II) addressing the education, employment, and training needs of CTE participants, including special populations, in career and technical education programs or programs of study. (ii) Research on, and evaluation of, the impact of changes made by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act , including State-by-State comparisons, where appropriate, of— (I) the use of the needs assessment under section 134(c); (II) the implementation of programs of study; (III) how States have implemented provisions of the Act, including both fiscal and programmatic elements; (IV) career and technical education funding and finance models