15 USC 3704 - Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology

View all text of Chapter 63 [§ 3701 - § 3724]

§ 3704. Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology

(a) Program establishment

(1) In general

(2) ArrangementsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary shall—

(A) enter into such arrangements as may be necessary to provide for the coordination of the program through the State committees established under the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science Foundation; and

(B) cooperate with—

(i) any State science and technology council established under the program under subparagraph (A); and

(ii) representatives of small business firms and other appropriate technology-based businesses.

(3) Grants and cooperative agreementsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to provide for—

(A) technology research and development;

(B) technology transfer from university research;

(D) the strengthening of technological capabilities through consortia comprised of—

(i) technology-based small business firms;

(ii) industries and emerging companies;

(iii) universities; and

(iv) State and local development agencies and entities.

(4) Requirements for making awards

(A) In general

(B) Matching requirement

(5) Criteria for States

(b) Coordination

(c)

(1) In general

(2) Application and review procedures

(A) In general

(B) Advisory council

(3) Awards

(A) Limitation

(B) Consortia

(D) Institutional diversity

(E) Need

(4) Authorized activitiesAn eligible institution may use a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract awarded under this subsection—

(A) to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware and software, digital network technology, wireless technology, and infrastructure to further the objective of the program described in paragraph (1);

(B) to develop and provide training, education, and professional development programs, including faculty development, to increase the use of, and usefulness of, digital and wireless networking technology;

(C) to provide teacher education, including the provision of preservice teacher training and in-service professional development at eligible institutions, library and media specialist training, and preschool and teacher aid certification to individuals who seek to acquire or enhance technology skills in order to use digital and wireless networking technology in the classroom or instructional process, including instruction in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology subjects;

(D) to obtain capacity-building technical assistance, including through remote technical support, technical assistance workshops, and distance learning services; or

(E) to foster the use of digital and wireless networking technology to improve research and education, including scientific, mathematics, engineering, and technology instruction.

(5) Information dissemination

(6) Matching requirement

(7) Annual report and assessments

(A) Annual report required from recipients

(B) Independent assessments

(i) Contract to conduct assessments

(ii) Evaluations and recommendationsThe assessments described in clause (i) shall include—(I) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program established under paragraph (1) in improving the education and training of students, faculty, and staff at eligible institutions that have been awarded grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts under the program;(II) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program in improving access to, and familiarity with, digital and wireless networking technology for students, faculty, and staff at all eligible institutions;(III) an evaluation of the procedures established under paragraph (2)(A); and(IV) recommendations for improving the program, including recommendations concerning the continuing need for Federal support.

(iii) Review of reports

(iv) Report to Congress

(8) DefinitionsIn this subsection:

(A) Digital and wireless networking technology

(B) Eligible institutionThe term “eligible institution” means an institution that is—

(i) a part B institution, as defined in section 1061(2) of title 20, an institution identified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 1063b(e)(1) of title 20, or a consortium of institutions described in this clause;

(ii) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in section 1101a(a)(5) of title 20;

(iii) a Tribal College or University, as defined in section 1059c(b)(3) of title 20;

(iv) an Alaska Native-serving institution, as defined in section 1059d(b) of title 20;

(v) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, as defined in section 1059d(b) of title 20;

(vi) a Predominately Black Institution, as defined in section 1059e of title 20;

(vii) a Native American-serving, nontribal institution, as defined in section 1059f of title 20;

(viii) an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, as defined in section 1059g of title 20; or

(ix) a minority institution, as defined in section 1067k of title 20, with an enrollment of needy students, as defined in section 1058(d) of title 20.

(D) Local educational agency

(E) Minority business

(F) Minority individual

(G) State

(H) State educational agency

(Pub. L. 96–480, § 5, Oct. 21, 1980, 94 Stat. 2312; Pub. L. 99–382, § 2, Aug. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 811; Pub. L. 99–502, § 9(b)(3)–(5), (e)(2)(A), Oct. 20, 1986, 100 Stat. 1795, 1797; Pub. L. 100–519, title II, § 201(a)–(c), (d)(2), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2593, 2594; Pub. L. 102–245, title III, § 306, Feb. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 20; Pub. L. 105–309, § 9, Oct. 30, 1998, 112 Stat. 2938; Pub. L. 106–404, § 7(3), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1745; Pub. L. 110–69, title III, § 3002(a), Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 586; Pub. L. 110–315, title IX, § 971, Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3473; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(sss), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2190.)