(a) Cooperative endeavors; statement of purpose For the purpose of advancing the status of the health sciences in the United States (and thereby the health of the American people), the Secretary may participate with other countries in cooperative endeavors in biomedical research, health care technology, and the health services research and statistical activities authorized by section
242k of this title and by subchapter VII of this chapter.
(b) Authority of Secretary; building construction prohibition In connection with the cooperative endeavors authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may
(1) make such use of resources offered by participating foreign countries as he may find necessary and appropriate;
(2) establish and maintain fellowships in the United States and in participating foreign countries;
(3) make grants to public institutions or agencies and to
nonprofit">
nonprofit private institutions or agencies in the United States and in participating foreign countries for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the fellowships authorized by paragraph (2);
(4) make grants or loans of equipment and materials, for use by public or
nonprofit">
nonprofit institutions or agencies, or by individuals, in participating foreign countries;
(5) participate and otherwise cooperate in any international meetings, conferences, or other activities concerned with biomedical research, health services research, health statistics, or health care technology;
(6) facilitate the interchange between the United States and participating foreign countries, and among participating foreign countries, of research scientists and experts who are engaged in experiments or programs of biomedical research, health services research, health statistical activities, or health care technology activities, and in carrying out such purpose may pay per diem compensation, subsistence, and travel for such scientists and experts when away from their places of residence at rates not to exceed those provided in section
5703 (b)1 of title
5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently;
(7) procure, in accordance with section
3109 of title
5, the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants; and
(8) enter into contracts with individuals for the provision of services (as defined in section 104 of part 37 of title
48, Code of Federal Regulations (48 CFR 37.104)) in participating foreign countries, which individuals may not be deemed employees of the United States for any purpose.
The Secretary may not, in the exercise of his authority under this section, provide financial assistance for the construction of any facility in any foreign country.
(c) Benefits for overseas assignees The Secretary may provide to personnel appointed or assigned by the Secretary to serve abroad, allowances and benefits similar to those provided under chapter 9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1990 (
22 U.S.C.
4081 et seq.). Leaves of absence for personnel under this subsection shall be on the same basis as that provided under subchapter I of chapter
63 of title
5 to individuals serving in the Foreign Service.
