; and (2) centers of excellence selected through a competitive, merit-based process. (d) Application (1) In general An investigator, team of investigators, or an institution of higher education (or consortium thereof) seeking funding under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Research centers Each application under paragraph (1) from an institution of higher education (or consortium thereof) shall include a description of how the Center will promote multidisciplinary transportation research and development collaboration. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. (f) Research At a minimum, the Secretary shall award 75 percent of awards under this program to projects for basic research. (g) Review Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a review of the research and activities carried out under this program and assess whether they are consistent with meeting the purposes described in subsection (a). Members of the review panel shall represent, at a minimum, multimodal surface transportation researchers and practitioners. (h) Report Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on implementation of this program and research areas that the program will support. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of sections for such subchapter, as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 5509. Advanced Transportation Research and Innovation Program . 210. Rail Cooperative Research Program Section