; and (B) make grants to those applicants with research proposals selected by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) Criteria The Secretary shall select research proposals to receive a grant under this subsection on the basis of merit, using criteria identified by the Secretary, including the likelihood that the research results will address critical barriers identified by the Secretary. (3) Funding Beginning in the first full fiscal year following the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 2 years, the Secretary may request funding as necessary to carry out this subsection, but in no case shall funding exceed $5,000,000 in any 1 fiscal year. (d) Creation of a stakeholder working group (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convene a working group (referred to in this subsection as the Group ) to address regulatory barriers to deployment of intelligent grid integration of clean distributed energy technologies. (2) Purpose The purpose of the Group is to provide guidance on how to address the technical, regulatory and economic factors that limit widespread integration of grid-level clean distributed energy use in order to advance the integration of clean distributed energy into electric grids. (3) Membership (A) In general The Group shall be composed of representatives of all groups determined by the Secretary to have a material interest in the development, implementation, siting, and integration of clean distributed energy technology or systems into the electric grid. (B) Criteria Members shall be selected— (i) from representatives that apply as a result of a public announcement from the Secretary; and (ii) by the Secretary based on qualifications and balance of interests represented by the selected individuals. (4) Duties The duties of the Group shall be— (A) to review the regulatory barriers identified in the report prepared by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3)