; (4) support one or more Institutes as described in section 201(a) for the purpose of advancing the field of advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems, and counter-UAS systems, including detection systems capabilities; (5) apply lessons learned from unmanned aircraft systems research, development, evaluation, and testing to advanced air mobility systems; and (6) enter into and perform such contracts, including cooperative research and development arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of the Department and on such terms as the Secretary considers appropriate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act. (b) Counter–UAS center of excellence (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish in the Department of Homeland Security a center of excellence to carry out research and development that advances counter-UAS systems capabilities. (2) Selection of host institution (A) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make a grant to one institution of higher education, or a consortium of institutions of higher education, to host and maintain the center of excellence established under this subsection. (B) Selection criteria In selecting such an institution or consortium, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (i) give preference to applicants with strong past performance related to counter-UAS systems research, education, and workforce development activities; (ii) give preference to applicants geographically collocated within 100 miles of Federal departments or agencies that currently possess or operate extant counter-UAS system facilities