; (2) translate scientific discoveries and cutting-edge inventions into technological innovations; and (3) accelerate transformational technological advances in areas that, due to technical and financial uncertainty, industry is not likely to undertake without Federal assistance. (d) Director (1) Appointment There shall be in the Department a Director of ARPA–Terra, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (2) Qualifications The Director shall be an individual who, by reason of professional background and experience, is especially qualified to advise the Secretary on, and manage research programs addressing, matters pertaining to long-term and high-risk technological barriers to the development of agricultural technologies. (3) Relationship to Secretary The Director shall report to the Secretary. (4) Relationship to Chief Scientist In carrying out the responsibilities of the Director, the Director shall coordinate with the Chief Scientist to identify relevant scientific priorities and future trends relating to agricultural technologies. (5) Relationship to other programs No other programs within the Department shall report to the Director. (e) Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Director shall include— (1) approving all new programs within ARPA–Terra; (2) developing funding criteria and assessing the success of programs through the establishment of technical milestones; (3) administering the Fund through awards to institutions of higher education, companies, research foundations, trade and industry research collaborations, or consortia of those entities, which may include land-grant institutions, federally funded research and development centers, research stations, and research laboratories, to achieve the goals described in subsection (b) through targeted acceleration of— (A) novel early-stage research with possible technology applications; (B) development of techniques, processes, and technologies, and related testing and evaluation