shall establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals that are submitted to the Secretary for the establishment of centers under this section. (2) (A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease and forms of dementia. At least one member of the panel shall include an expert on the connection between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease. (B) Members of the panel shall serve for a period of no longer than two years, except as specified in subparagraph (C). (C) Of the members first appointed to the panel, one-half shall be appointed for a period of three years and one-half shall be appointed for a period of two years, as designated by the Under Secretary at the time of appointment. (3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the panel by the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the relative scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the Under Secretary. (4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. (d) Priority of funding Before providing funds for the operation of a center designated under this section at a Department health-care facility, the Secretary shall ensure that each Alzheimer’s Disease center at a facility so designated is receiving adequate funding to enable that center to function effectively in the areas of Alzheimer’s Disease research, education, and clinical activities. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support of the research and education activities of the centers established pursuant to subsection (a). The Under Secretary for Health shall allocate to such centers from other funds appropriated generally for the Department medical services account and medical and prosthetics research account, as appropriate, such amounts as the Under Secretary for Health determines appropriate. (f) Award competitions Activities of clinical and scientific investigation at each center