§ 802. Powers and duties. 1. The council shall have the power and duty to:

a. identify strategic areas for health research;

b. conduct ongoing surveys of the state allocation of health research sources;

c. develop health research programs and establish priorities for such programs;

d. assure that women's health needs as well as men's have been considered in research programs which the council develops and in the priorities it establishes;

e. review and disseminate the results of health research programs;

f. stimulate independent health research;

g. coordinate health research within New York state to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and facilities;

h. encourage health research in designated priority areas by assisting research projects in obtaining grants or fellowships;

i. develop a model health research plan for the state;

j. hold meetings at least semiannually. Special meetings may be called by the chairman;

k. encourage education and training in the area of health research;

l. accept on behalf of the state any grant, gift, devise or bequest, made to the health research council; and to cause the department of taxation and finance to establish from all such monies a special trust fund to be used under the direction of the council for the purpose of health research and training. Such grants, gifts, devises or bequests shall be accepted subject to the provisions of section fifty-three-a of the state finance law and subject to audit by the state comptroller;

m. make rules and regulations for the exercise of the council's powers and performance of its duties in order to carry out the provisions of this article; and

n. exercise and perform such other functions, powers, and duties as may from time to time be conferred or imposed by law.

2. For the purposes of this section research shall not include the actual delivery of health care or equipment for health care provided by existing institutes established by this chapter to conduct research, scientific investigations, seek methods of medical care or provide for the treatment of patients.