; (3) coordinate research efforts funded through existing programs across the Office of Science; (4) engage with other Federal agencies, research communities, and potential users of information produced under this section; and (5) build, maintain, and, to the extent practicable, make available for use by academic, government, and private sector researchers, the computing hardware and software necessary to carry out a research program in artificial intelligence science. (c) Research Centers (1) Grants In carrying out this section, the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to establish and operate up to 5 artificial intelligence research centers (in this section, referred to as Centers ) for the purpose described in paragraph (3). (2) Selection (A) In general Such grants shall be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, and consider applications from National Laboratories, institutions of higher education including emerging research institutions, research centers, multi-institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities. (B) Eligible entities In this section, the term eligible entity means— (i) an institution of higher education; (ii) a relevant nonprofit or private sector organization; (iii) a State or local government; (iv) a National Laboratory or a federally funded research and development center; and (v) a consortium of entities that consists of entities described in clauses (i) through (iv). (3) Purpose The purpose of the Centers established under this section is— (A) to serve the needs of the Department of Energy and academic, educational, and private sector entities that the Secretary determines appropriate; (B) to advance research and education in artificial intelligence and improving the competitiveness of the United States