; and (B) recommendations on what additional research or technical improvements to personal protective equipment materials or components should be pursued to avoid unnecessary occupational exposure among firefighters to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through personal protective equipment. (d) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2021 and $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2022. (2) Supplement not supplant Funds made available to carry out this section shall supplement and not supplant funds made available to the Director for other purposes. 3. Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in personal protective equipment worn by firefighters (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the submittal of the report required by section 2(c)(2), the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall— (1) issue a solicitation for research proposals to carry out the research recommendations identified in the report submitted under section 2(c); and (2) award grants to applicants that submit research proposals to develop safe alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in personal protective equipment. (b) Criteria The Director shall select research proposals to receive a grant under subsection (a) on the basis of merit, using criteria identified by the Director, including the likelihood that the research results will address the findings of the Director with respect to the study conducted under section 2(a). (c) Eligible entities Any entity or group of 2 or more entities may submit to the Director a research proposal in response to the solicitation for research proposals under subsection (a), including— (1) State and local agencies; (2) public institutions, including public institutions of higher education; (3) private corporations