1. U.S. Code
  2. title 20
  3. chapter 52
  4. subchapter I
  5. § 3912

Collapse to view only § 3912. Functional objectives; uses of funds

§ 3911. Congressional declaration of policy
(a) The Congress declares that the science and engineering education responsibilities of the National Science Foundation are—
(1) to improve the quality of instruction in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering;
(2) to support research, fellowships, teacher-faculty-business exchange programs in mathematics, science, and engineering;
(3) to improve the quality and availability of instrumentation for mathematics, science, and engineering instruction;
(4) to encourage partnerships in education between local and State education agencies, business and industry, colleges and universities, and cultural and professional institutions and societies; and
(5) to improve the quality of education at all levels in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering.
(b) In exercising its responsibilities to strengthen scientific and engineering research potential and science and engineering education programs at all levels, the Foundation shall avoid undue concentration of support for research and education activities.
(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 101, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 893.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3911

§ 3912. Functional objectives; uses of funds
(a) In carrying out its science and engineering education responsibilities, the Foundation shall have the following functional objectives: public understanding of science and technology, faculty enhancement, student education and training, instructional development and instrumentation, and materials development and dissemination.
(b) Funds under this subchapter shall, consistent with such functional objectives, be used for—
(1) enhancement of public understanding of science and engineering through informal education activities using a variety of mediums such as broadcasting, museums, clubs, and amateur science societies;
(2) development of new science and engineering faculty resources and talents;
(3) enhancement of the quality of science and engineering instruction in colleges of teacher education;
(4) development of four-year college faculty and instructors in high technology fields;
(5) development of two-year community college faculty and instructors especially in high technology fields;
(6) development of precollege mathematics, science and engineering education and training;
(7) encouragement of potential students, including underrepresented and underserved populations, to pursue careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and critical foreign languages;
(8) development of instructional instrumentation and systems for postsecondary technical, engineering, and scientific education; and
(9) development of science, engineering, and education networks to aid in the development and dissemination of successful curricula, methods, and materials.
(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 102, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 894.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3912

§ 3913. Teacher institutes
(a) Authorization to make competitive grants; covered institutions, businesses, etc.; purpose
(b) Equitable distribution of grants; awards in each State
(c) Cooperation of advanced technology businesses and other businesses
(d) Requirement of involvement in planning and development
(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 103, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 894.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3913

§ 3914. Materials development and methods research for mathematics, science, and engineering
(a) Authorization to award competitive grants; covered institutions, businesses, etc.; purposes
The Foundation is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education, businesses, nonprofit private organizations, local education agencies, professional engineering and scientific associations, museums, libraries, public broadcasting entities (as defined in section 397(11) of title 47), and appropriate State agencies—
(1) for instructional curriculum improvement and faculty development in mathematics, science, and engineering;
(2) for programs designed to enhance public understanding of mathematics, science, and engineering, including the use of public broadcasting entities; and
(3) for research on methods of instruction and educational programs in mathematics, science, engineering, and critical foreign languages.
(b) Scope of studies
Studies conducted under subsection (a)(3) may include—
(1) teaching and learning research and its application to local and private sector instructional materials development and to improved teacher training programs;
(2) research on the use of local and informal science education activities;
(3) research on recruitment, retention, and improvement of mathematics, science, engineering, and critical languages faculties; and
(4) analysis of materials and methods for mathematics, science, and engineering education used in other countries and their potential application in the United States.
(c) Matching grant requirements
(d) Materials or methods research application requirements
(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 104, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 895.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3914

§ 3915. Graduate fellowships

The Foundation is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, to establish and carry out a program of graduate fellowships for the purpose of encouraging and assisting promising students to continue their education and research in mathematics, science, and engineering.

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 105, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 896.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3915

§ 3916. Other functional activities
(a) The Foundation is authorized to expend up to 15 per centum of the funds available for science and engineering education for applications which the Foundation determines will meet one or more of the functional objectives described in section 3912(b) of this title.
(b) Such programs may include a program for the exchange of mathematics, science, or engineering faculty between institutions of higher education (particularly institutions having nationally recognized research facilities) and eligible institutions. For the purposes of this section, the term “eligible institution” means an institution of higher education which—
(1) has an enrollment which includes a substantial percentage of students who are members of a minority group, or who are economically or educationally disadvantaged; or
(2) is located in a community that is not within commuting distance of a major institution of higher education; and
(3) demonstrates a commitment to meet the special educational needs of students who are members of a minority group or are economically or educationally disadvantaged.
(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 106, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 896.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3916

§ 3917. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–66, title II, § 2141(a), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 731

CITE AS: 20 USC 3917

§ 3918. Approval of proposals

The Foundation shall adopt approval procedures designed to assure that awards are made on the basis of the scientific and educational merit as determined by the peer review process. To the maximum extent possible, the Foundation shall assure that there is an equitable distribution of resources with respect to institutions and geographical areas.

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 108, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 896.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3918

§ 3919. Special consideration of underrepresented and underserved population

In providing financial assistance under this subchapter, the Foundation shall make every effort to ensure that consideration is given to proposals which contain provisions designed to meet the needs of underrepresented and underserved populations.

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 109, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 897.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3919

§ 3920. Availability of funds

Funds to carry out this subchapter for any fiscal year shall be made available from amounts appropriated pursuant to annual authorizations of appropriations for the National Science Foundation for Science and Engineering Education. For fiscal year 1986, funds to carry out this subchapter shall be available from amounts authorized by section 102(a)(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act for fiscal year 1986.

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 110, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 897.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3920

§ 3921. Prohibition against the Federal control of education

The provisions of section 1232a 1

1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, relating to prohibition against Federal control of education, shall apply to each program and award authorized by this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 111, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 897.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3921

§ 3922. Participation of teachers from private schools

The Foundation shall, after consultation with appropriate private school representatives, make provision for the benefit of teachers in private elementary and secondary schools in the programs authorized by this subchapter, in order to assure equitable participation of such teachers.

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 112, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 897.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 3922