TITLE 20 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION

20 USC 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.

20 USC 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.

20 USC 3913 - Teacher institutes

(a) Authorization to make competitive grants; covered institutions, businesses, etc.; purpose 
The Foundation shall, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, make competitive grants to institutions of higher education, businesses, nonprofit">nonprofit private organizations (including schools), 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 to support institutes and workshops for supervisors and teachers in public and private elementary and secondary schools for the purpose of improving the subject knowledge and teaching skills of such teachers in the areas of mathematics and science.
(b) Equitable distribution of grants; awards in each State 
In making grants under this section, the Foundation shall assure that there is an equitable distribution among States of institutes established and operated with funds made available under this section. The Foundation shall award not less than one institute in each State, except that the Foundation may waive this requirement if there is no proposal from a State which meets the requirements of this subchapter. Proposals which exceed $300,000 in any fiscal year incorporating the services or resources of more than two entities in the design and operation of the institute, may be funded at the discretion of the Director of the Foundation.
(c) Cooperation of advanced technology businesses and other businesses 
Institutes assisted under this subchapter may, to the extent possible, involve the cooperation of advanced technology businesses and other businesses which are able to supply assistance in the teaching of mathematics and science.
(d) Requirement of involvement in planning and development 
In making grants under this subchapter, the Foundation shall require assurances that local education agencies will be involved in the planning and development of the institute in the case of applications submitted by other eligible applicants described in subsection (a) of this section, or that one or more such applicants will be involved in the planning and development of the institute in the case of applications submitted by State or local education agencies.

20 USC 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">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) of this section 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 
Funds awarded for such competitive grants shall be expended through a system requiring matching of the grant. The minimum amount required as a match shall be equal to a percentage of the grant that is determined by the Foundation. Funds made available for matching purposes may include in-kind services or other resources.
(d) Materials or methods research application requirements 
In making grant applications for materials or methods research for the purposes described in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section, the Foundation shall assure the involvement of appropriate State or local education agencies in the case of applications submitted by other entities described in subsection (a) of this section, or that one or more of such other entities will be consulted in the case of applications submitted by State or local education agencies.

20 USC 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.

20 USC 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.

20 USC 3917 - Repealed. Pub. L. 10466, title II, 2141(a), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 731

Section, Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 107, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 896; amended Pub. L. 103–437, § 7(c), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4588, related to developing and annual update of a strategic plan for science and engineering education.

20 USC 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.

20 USC 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.

20 USC 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.

20 USC 3921 - Prohibition against the Federal control of education

The provisions of section 1232a1 of this title, relating to prohibition against Federal control of education, shall apply to each program and award authorized by this subchapter.
[1] See References in Text note below.

20 USC 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.