View all text of Subchapter XVII [§ 16531 - § 16539]
§ 16532. Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education
(a) Purposes
The purposes of this section are—
(1) to address the decline in the number of and resources available to nuclear science programs at institutions of higher education; and
(2) to increase the number of graduates with degrees in nuclear science, an area of strategic importance to the economic competitiveness and energy security of the United States.
(b) Definition of nuclear science
In this section, the term “nuclear science” includes—
(1) nuclear science;
(2) nuclear engineering;
(3) nuclear chemistry;
(4) radio chemistry; and
(5) health physics.
(c) Establishment
(d) Nuclear science program expansion grants for institutions of higher education
(1) In general
(2) Priority
(3) Criteria
Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on—
(A) the potential to attract new students to the program;
(B) academic rigor; and
(C) the ability to offer hands-on learning opportunities.
(4) Duration and amount
(A) Duration
(B) Amount
(5) Use of funds
An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to—
(A) recruit and retain new faculty;
(B) develop core and specialized course span;
(C) encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers in the nuclear science field; and
(D) support outreach efforts to recruit students.
(e) Nuclear science competitiveness grants for institutions of higher education
(1) In general
(2) Criteria
(3) Duration and amount
(A) Duration
(B) Amount
(4) Use of funds
An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to—
(A) increase the number of graduates in nuclear science that enter into careers in the nuclear science field;
(B) enhance the teaching of advanced nuclear technologies;
(C) aggressively pursue collaboration opportunities with industry and National Laboratories;
(D) bolster or sustain nuclear infrastructure and research facilities of the institution of higher education, such as research and training reactors or laboratories; and
(E) provide tuition assistance and stipends to undergraduate and graduate students.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
(1) Nuclear science program expansion grants for institutions of higher education
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (d)—
(A) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(B) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(C) $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(D) $9,800,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(E) $10,100,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(F) $10,400,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(2) Nuclear science competitiveness grants for institutions of higher education
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e)—
(A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(B) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(C) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(D) $8,240,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(E) $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(F) $8,750,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(Pub. L. 110–69, title V, § 5004, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 111–358, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4044.)