§ 16532. Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education

• (a) 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) 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) The Secretary shall establish, in accordance with this section, a program to expand and enhance institution of higher education nuclear science educational capabilities.
• (d)
  • (1) The Secretary shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish new academic degree programs in nuclear science.
  • (2) In evaluating grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that involve partnerships with a National Laboratory or other eligible nuclear-related entity, as determined by the Secretary.
  • (3) 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)
    • (A) A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.
    • (B) An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $1,000,000 for each year of the grant period.
  • (5) 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 content;
    • (C) encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers in the nuclear science field; and
    • (D) support outreach efforts to recruit students.
• (e)
  • (1) The Secretary shall award up to 5 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs that produce graduates in nuclear science.
  • (2) Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on the potential for increasing the number and academic quality of graduates in the nuclear sciences who enter into careers in nuclear-related fields.
  • (3)
    • (A) A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.
    • (B) An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $500,000 for each year of the grant period.
  • (4) 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)
  • (1) 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) 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.