H. R. 4664—2
(7) Commercial application of the results of Federal invest-
ment in basic and computing science is consistent with long-
standing United States technology transfer policy and is a
critical 
national 
priority, 
particularly 
with 
regard 
to
cybersecurity and other homeland security applications, because
of the urgent needs of commercial, academic, and individual
users as well as the Federal and State Governments.
SEC. 3. POLICY OBJECTIVES.
In allocating resources made available under section 5, the
Foundation shall have the following policy objectives:
(1) To strengthen the Nation’s lead in science and tech-
nology by—
(A) increasing the national investment in general sci-
entific research and increasing investment in strategic
areas;
(B) balancing the Nation’s research portfolio among
the life sciences, mathematics, the physical sciences, com-
puter and information science, geoscience, engineering, and
social, behavioral, and economic sciences, all of which are
important for the continued development of enabling tech-
nologies necessary for sustained international competitive-
ness;
(C) expanding the pool of scientists and engineers in
the United States;
(D) modernizing the Nation’s research infrastructure;
and
(E) establishing and maintaining cooperative inter-
national relationships with premier research institutions,
with the goal of such relationships being the exchange
of personnel, data, and information in an effort to alleviate
problems common to the global community.
(2) To increase overall workforce skills by—
(A) improving the quality of mathematics and science
education, particularly in kindergarten through grade 12;
(B) promoting access to information technology for all
students;
(C) raising postsecondary enrollment rates in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology disciplines for
individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science
and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a
or 1885b);
(D) increasing access to higher education in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology fields for stu-
dents from low-income households; and
(E) expanding science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology training opportunities at institutions of higher
education.
(3) To strengthen innovation by expanding the focus of
competitiveness and innovation policy at the regional and local
level.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) ACADEMIC UNIT.—The term ‘‘academic unit’’ means a
department, division, institute, school, college, or other sub-
component of an institution of higher education.
H. R. 4664—3
(2) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the National Science
Board established under section 2 of the National Science
Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
(3) COMMUNITY COLLEGE.—The term ‘‘community college’’
has the meaning given such term in section 3301(3) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7011(3)).
(4) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director
of the National Science Foundation established under section
2 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C.
1861).
(5) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘elementary school’’
has the meaning given that term by section 9101(18) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(18)).
(6) ELIGIBLE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘eligible
nonprofit organization’’ means a nonprofit research institute,
or a nonprofit professional association, with demonstrated
experience and effectiveness in mathematics or science edu-
cation as determined by the Director.
(7) FOUNDATION.—The term ‘‘Foundation’’ means the
National Science Foundation established under section 2 of
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861).
(8) HIGH-NEED
LOCAL
EDUCATIONAL
AGENCY.—The term
‘‘high-need local educational agency’’ means a local educational
agency that meets one or more of the following criteria:
(A) It has at least one school in which 50 percent
or more of the enrolled students are eligible for participa-
tion in the free and reduced price lunch program estab-
lished by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
(B) It has at least one school in which—
(i) more than 34 percent of the academic classroom
teachers at the secondary level (across all academic
subjects) do not have an undergraduate degree with
a major or minor in, or a graduate degree in, the
academic field in which they teach the largest percent-
age of their classes; or
(ii) more than 34 percent of the teachers in two
of the academic departments do not have an under-
graduate degree with a major or minor in, or a grad-
uate degree in, the academic field in which they teach
the largest percentage of their classes.
(C) It has at least one school whose teacher attrition
rate has been 15 percent or more over the last three school
years.
(9) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The term ‘‘institu-
tion of higher education’’ has the meaning given such term
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(10) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term ‘‘local edu-
cational agency’’ has the meaning given such term by section
9101(26) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(26)).
(11) MASTER TEACHER.—The term ‘‘master teacher’’ means
a mathematics or science teacher who works to improve the
H. R. 4664—4
instruction of mathematics or science in kindergarten through
grade 12 through—
(A) participating in the development or revision of
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology curricula;
(B) serving as a mentor to mathematics or science
teachers;
(C) coordinating and assisting teachers in the use of
hands-on inquiry materials, equipment, and supplies, and
when appropriate, supervising acquisition and repair of
such materials;
(D) providing in-classroom teaching assistance to
mathematics or science teachers; and
(E) providing professional development, including for
the purposes of training other master teachers, to mathe-
matics and science teachers.
(12) NATIONAL
RESEARCH
FACILITY.—The term ‘‘national
research facility’’ means a research facility funded by the
Foundation which is available, subject to appropriate policies
allocating access, for use by all scientists and engineers affili-
ated with research institutions located in the United States.
(13) SECONDARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘secondary school’’ has
the meaning given that term by section 9101(38) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(38)).
(14) STATE.—Except with respect to the Experimental Pro-
gram to Stimulate Competitive Research, the term ‘‘State’’
means one of the several States, the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United
States.
(15) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term ‘‘State edu-
cational agency’’ has the meaning given such term by section
9101(41) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(41)).
(16) UNITED STATES.—The term ‘‘United States’’ means the
several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any
other territory or possession of the United States.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2003.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $5,536,390,000 for fiscal year 2003.
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount authorized
under paragraph (1)—
(A) $4,155,690,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities, of which $704,000,000
shall be for information technology research described in
paragraph (1) of section 8 and $301,000,000 shall be for
nanoscale science and engineering described in paragraph
(2) of section 8;
(B) $1,006,250,000 shall be made available for edu-
cation and human resources, of which—
(i) $200,000,000 shall be for mathematics and
science education partnerships described in section 9;
H. R. 4664—5
(ii) $20,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10; and
(iii) $25,000,000 shall be for the science, mathe-
matics, engineering, and technology talent expansion
program described in paragraph (7) of section 8;
(C) $172,050,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $191,200,000 shall be made available for salaries
and expenses;
(E) $3,500,000 shall be made available for the Office
of the National Science Board, including salaries and com-
pensation for members of the Board and staff appointed
under section 4 of the National Science Foundation Act
of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863), travel and training costs for
members of the Board and such staff, general and Board
operating expenses, representational expenses for the
Board, honorary awards made by the Board, Board reports
(other than the report entitled ‘‘Science and Engineering
Indicators’’), and contracts; and
(F) $7,700,000 shall be made available for the Office
of Inspector General.
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2004.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $6,390,832,000 for fiscal year 2004.
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount authorized
under paragraph (1)—
(A) $4,799,822,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities, of which $774,000,000
shall be for information technology research described in
paragraph (1) of section 8 and $350,000,000 shall be for
nanoscale science and engineering described in paragraph
(2) of section 8;
(B) $1,157,188,000 shall be made available for edu-
cation and human resources, of which—
(i) $300,000,000 shall be for mathematics and
science education partnerships described in section 9;
(ii) $20,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10; and
(iii) $30,000,000 shall be for the science, mathe-
matics, engineering, and technology talent expansion
program described in paragraph (7) of section 8;
(C) $211,182,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $210,320,000 shall be made available for salaries
and expenses;
(E) $3,850,000 shall be made available for the Office
of the National Science Board for the purposes described
in subsection (a)(2)(E); and
(F) $8,470,000 shall be made available for the Office
of Inspector General.
(c) FISCAL YEAR 2005.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $7,378,343,000 for fiscal year 2005.
(2) SPECIFIC
ALLOCATIONS.—Of the amount authorized
under paragraph (1)—
(A) $5,543,794,000 shall be made available to carry
out research and related activities;
H. R. 4664—6
(B) $1,330,766,000 shall be made available to carry
out education and human resources, of which—
(i) $400,000,000 shall be for mathematics and
science education partnerships described in section 9;
(ii) $20,000,000 shall be for the Robert Noyce
Scholarship Program described in section 10; and
(iii) $35,000,000 shall be for the science, mathe-
matics, engineering, and technology talent expansion
program described in paragraph (7) of section 8;
(C) $258,879,000 shall be made available for major
research equipment and facilities construction;
(D) $231,337,000 shall be made available for salaries
and expenses;
(E) $4,250,000 shall be made available for the Office
of the National Science Board for the purposes described
in subsection (a)(2)(E); and
(F) $9,317,000 shall be made available for the Office
of Inspector General.
(d) FISCAL YEAR 2006.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $8,519,776,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(e) FISCAL YEAR 2007.—There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Foundation $9,839,262,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(f) CONTINGENT AUTHORIZATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds are authorized to be appropriated
under subsections (d) and (e), contingent on a determination
by Congress that the Foundation has made successful progress
toward meeting management goals consisting of—
(A) strategic management of human capital;
(B) competitive sourcing;
(C) improved financial performance;
(D) expanded electronic government; and
(E) budget and performance integration.
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In making that determination, Con-
gress shall take into consideration whether or not the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget has certified that
the Foundation has, overall, made successful progress toward
meeting those goals.
SEC. 6. OBLIGATION OF MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILI-
TIES CONSTRUCTION FUNDS.
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2003.—None of the funds authorized under
section 5(a)(2)(C) may be obligated until 30 days after the first
report required under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Con-
gress.
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2004.—None of the funds authorized under
section 5(b)(2)(C) may be obligated until 30 days after the report
required by June 15, 2003, under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted
to the Congress.
(c) FISCAL YEAR 2005.—None of the funds authorized under
section 5(c)(2)(C) may be obligated until 30 days after the report
required by June 15, 2004, under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted
to the Congress.
(d) FISCAL YEAR 2006.—None of the funds authorized under
section 5(d) may be obligated for major research equipment and
facilities construction until 30 days after the report required by
June 15, 2005, under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
H. R. 4664—7
(e) FISCAL YEAR 2007.—None of the funds authorized under
section 5(e) may be obligated for major research equipment and
facilities construction until 30 days after the report required by
June 15, 2006, under section 14(a)(2) is transmitted to the Congress.
SEC. 7. ANNUAL PLAN FOR ALLOCATION OF FUNDING.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of legislation
providing for the annual appropriation of funds for the Foundation,
the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a plan for the allocation
of funds authorized by this Act for the corresponding fiscal year.
The portion of the plan pertaining to Research and Related Activi-
ties shall include a description of how the allocation of funding—
(1) will affect the average size and duration of research
grants supported by the Foundation by field of science, mathe-
matics, and engineering;
(2) will affect trends in research support for major fields
and subfields of science, mathematics, and engineering,
including for emerging multidisciplinary research areas; and
(3) is designed to achieve an appropriate balance among
major fields and subfields of science, mathematics, and
engineering.
SEC. 8. SPECIFIC PROGRAM AUTHORIZATIONS.
From amounts authorized to be appropriated under section
5, the Director shall carry out the Foundation’s research and edu-
cation programs, including the following initiatives in accordance
with this section:
(1) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.—An information technology
research program to support competitive, merit-reviewed pro-
posals for research, education, and infrastructure support in
areas related to cybersecurity, terascale computing systems,
software, 
networking, 
scalability, 
communications, 
data
management, and remote sensing and geospatial information
technologies.
(2) NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING.—A nanoscale
science and engineering research and education program to
support competitive, merit-reviewed proposals that emphasize—
(A) research aimed at discovering novel phenomena,
processes, materials, and tools that address grand chal-
lenges in materials, electronics, optoelectronics and mag-
netics, manufacturing, the environment, and health care;
and
(B) supporting new research and interdisciplinary cen-
ters and networks of excellence, including shared national
user facilities, infrastructure, research, and education
activities on the societal implications of advances in
nanoscale science and engineering.
(3) PLANT
GENOME
RESEARCH.—(A) A plant genome
research program to support competitive, merit-reviewed
proposals—
(i) that advance the understanding of the structure,
organization, and function of plant genomes; and
H. R. 4664—8
(ii) that accelerate the use of new knowledge and
innovative technologies toward a more complete under-
standing of basic biological processes in plants, especially
in economically important plants such as corn and soy-
beans.
(B) Regional plant genome and gene expression research
centers to conduct research and dissemination activities that
may include—
(i) basic plant genomics research and genomics applica-
tions, including those related to cultivation of crops in
extreme environments and to cultivation of crops with
reduced reliance on fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides;
(ii) basic research that will contribute to the develop-
ment or use of innovative plant-derived products;
(iii) basic research on alternative uses for plants and
plant materials, including the use of plants as renewable
feedstock for alternative energy production and nonpetro-
leum-based industrial chemicals and precursors; and
(iv) basic research and dissemination of information
on the ecological and other consequences of genetically
engineered plants.
Competitive, merit-based awards for centers under this
subparagraph shall be to consortia of institutions of higher
education or nonprofit organizations. The Director shall, to
the extent practicable, ensure that research centers established
under this subparagraph collectively examine as many different
agricultural environments as possible, enhance the excellence
of existing Foundation programs, and focus on plants of eco-
nomic importance.
(C) Research partnerships to focus on—
(i) basic genomic research on crops grown in the devel-
oping world;
(ii) basic plant genome research that will advance and
expedite the development of improved cultivars, including
those that are pest-resistant, produce increased yield,
reduce the need for fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides,
or have increased tolerance to stress;
(iii) basic research that could lead to the development
of technologies to produce pharmaceutical compounds such
as vaccines and medications in plants that can be grown
in the developing world; and
(iv) research on the impact of plant biotechnology on
the social, political, economic, health, and environmental
conditions in countries in the developing world.
Competitive, merit-based awards for partnerships under this
subparagraph shall be to institutions of higher education, non-
profit organizations, or consortia of such entities that enter
into a partnership that shall include one or more research
institutions in one or more developing nations, and that may
also include for-profit companies involved in plant bio-
technology. The Director, by means of outreach, shall encourage
inclusion of historically Black colleges and universities, His-
panic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and
universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native
Hawaiian-serving institutions in consortia that enter into such
partnerships.
H. R. 4664—9
(4) INNOVATION
PARTNERSHIPS.—An innovation partner-
ships program to support competitive, merit-reviewed proposals
that seek to stimulate innovation at the regional level through
new partnerships involving States, regional governmental enti-
ties, local governmental entities, industry, academic institu-
tions, and other related organizations in strategically important
fields of science and technology.
(5) MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS.—
The mathematics and science education partnerships program
described in section 9.
(6) ROBERT
NOYCE
SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM.—The Robert
Noyce Scholarship Program described in section 10.
(7) SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
TALENT EXPANSION PROGRAM.—(A) A program of competitive,
merit-based, multi-year grants for eligible applicants to increase
the number of students studying toward and completing associ-
ate’s or bachelor’s degrees in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology, particularly in fields that have faced declining
enrollment in recent years.
(B) In selecting projects under this paragraph, the Director
shall strive to increase the number of students studying toward
and completing baccalaureate degrees, concentrations, or certifi-
cates in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology who
are individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science
and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a
or 1885b).
(C) The types of projects the Foundation may support under
this paragraph include those that promote high quality—
(i) interdisciplinary teaching;
(ii) undergraduate-conducted research;
(iii) mentor relationships for students;
(iv) bridge programs that enable students at commu-
nity colleges to matriculate directly into baccalaureate
science, mathematics, engineering, or technology programs;
(v) internships carried out in partnership with
industry; and
(vi) innovative uses of digital technologies, particularly
at institutions of higher education that serve high numbers
or percentages of economically disadvantaged students.
(D)(i) In order to receive a grant under this paragraph,
an eligible applicant shall establish targets to increase the
number of students studying toward and completing associate’s
or bachelor’s degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, or
technology.
(ii) A grant under this paragraph shall be awarded for
a period of 5 years, with the final 2 years of funding contingent
on the Director’s determination that satisfactory progress has
been made by the grantee toward meeting the targets estab-
lished under clause (i).
(iii) In the case of community colleges, a student who
transfers to a baccalaureate program, or receives a certificate
under an established certificate program, in science, mathe-
matics, engineering, or technology shall be counted toward
meeting a target established under clause (i).
(E) For each grant awarded under this paragraph to an
institution of higher education, at least 1 principal investigator
H. R. 4664—10
shall be in a position of administrative leadership at the institu-
tion of higher education, and at least 1 principal investigator
shall be a faculty member from an academic department
included in the work of the project. For each grant awarded
to a consortium or partnership, at each institution of higher
education participating in the consortium or partnership, at
least 1 of the individuals responsible for carrying out activities
authorized under this paragraph at that institution shall be
in a position of administrative leadership at the institution,
and at least 1 shall be a faculty member from an academic
department included in the work of the project at that institu-
tion.
(F) In this paragraph, the term ‘‘eligible applicant’’ means—
(i) an institution of higher education;
(ii) a consortium of institutions of higher education;
or
(iii) a partnership between—
(I) an institution of higher education or a consor-
tium of such institutions; and
(II) a nonprofit organization, a State or local
government, or a private company, with demonstrated
experience and effectiveness in science, mathematics,
engineering, or technology education.
(8) SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEMIC INITIATIVE.—A program
of competitive, merit-based grants for State educational agen-
cies or local educational agencies that supports the planning
and implementation of agency-wide secondary school reform
initiatives designed to promote scientific and technological lit-
eracy, meet the mathematics and science education needs of
students at risk of not achieving State student academic
achievement standards, reduce the need for basic skill training
by employers, and heighten college completion rates through
activities, such as—
(A) systemic alignment of secondary school curricula
and higher education freshman placement requirements;
(B) development of materials and curricula that sup-
port small, theme-oriented schools and learning commu-
nities;
(C) implementation of enriched mathematics and
science curricula for all secondary school students;
(D) strengthened teacher training in mathematics,
science, and reading as it relates to technical and special-
ized texts;
(E) 
laboratory 
improvement 
and 
provision 
of
instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to
enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering,
and technology instruction; or
(F) other secondary school systemic initiatives that
enable grantees to leverage private sector funding for
mathematics, science, engineering, and technology scholar-
ships.
In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Director shall
give priority to agencies that serve high poverty communities.
(9) EXPERIMENTAL
PROGRAM
TO
STIMULATE
COMPETITIVE
RESEARCH.—The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competi-
tive Research, established under section 113 of the National
H. R. 4664—11
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C.
1862g), that is designed to enhance—
(A) research in mathematics, science, and engineering
throughout the States eligible to participate in the program
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(B) research infrastructure in the States eligible to
participate in the program and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico; and
(C) the geographic distribution of Federal research and
development support.
(10) THE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
ACT.—A comprehensive program designed to advance the goals
of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42
U.S.C. 1885 et seq.), including programs to—
(A) provide support to minority-serving institutions;
and
(B) ensure that reports required under sections 36
and 37 of such Act are submitted to the—
(i) Committee on Science of the House of Rep-
resentatives;
(ii) Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate; and
(iii) Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(11) ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH AND INSTRUMENTATION.—An
astronomical research program to support competitive, merit-
reviewed proposals that—
(A) will advance understanding of—
(i) the origins and characteristics of planets, the
Sun, other stars, the Milky Way Galaxy, and
extragalactic objects (such as clusters of galaxies and
quasars); and
(ii) the structure and origin of the universe; and
(B) support related activities such as developing
advanced technologies and instrumentation, funding under-
graduate and graduate students, and satisfying other
instrumentation and research needs.
SEC. 9. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—(A) The Director shall carry out a pro-
gram to award grants to institutions of higher education or
eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia of such institutions
or organizations) to establish mathematics and science edu-
cation partnership programs to improve elementary and sec-
ondary mathematics and science instruction.
(B) Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(2) PARTNERSHIPS.—(A) In order to be eligible to receive
a grant under this subsection, an institution of higher education
or eligible nonprofit organization (or consortium of such institu-
tions or organizations) shall enter into a partnership with one
or more local educational agencies that may also include a
State educational agency or one or more businesses.
(B) A participating institution of higher education shall
include mathematics, science, or engineering departments in
H. R. 4664—12
the programs carried out through a partnership under this
paragraph.
(3) USES OF FUNDS.—Grants awarded under this subsection
shall be used for activities that draw upon the expertise of
the partners to improve elementary or secondary education
in mathematics or science and that are consistent with State
mathematics and science student academic achievement stand-
ards, including—
(A) recruiting and preparing students for careers in
elementary or secondary mathematics or science education;
(B) 
offering 
professional 
development 
programs,
including summer or academic year institutes or work-
shops, designed to strengthen the capabilities of mathe-
matics and science teachers;
(C) offering innovative preservice and inservice pro-
grams that instruct teachers on using technology more
effectively in teaching mathematics and science, including
programs that recruit and train undergraduate and grad-
uate students to provide technical support to teachers;
(D) developing distance learning programs for teachers
or students, including developing courses, curricular mate-
rials, and other resources for the in-service professional
development of teachers that are made available to teachers
through the Internet;
(E) developing a cadre of master teachers who will
promote reform and improvement in schools;
(F) offering teacher preparation and certification pro-
grams for professional mathematicians, scientists, and
engineers who wish to begin a career in teaching;
(G) developing tools to evaluate activities conducted
under this subsection;
(H) developing or adapting elementary school and sec-
ondary school mathematics and science curricular materials
that incorporate contemporary research on the science of
learning;
(I) developing initiatives to increase and sustain the
number, quality, and diversity of prekindergarten through
grade 12 teachers of mathematics and science, especially
in underserved areas;
(J) using mathematicians, scientists, and engineers
employed by private businesses to help recruit and train
mathematics and science teachers;
(K) developing and offering mathematics or science
enrichment programs for students, including after-school
and summer programs;
(L) providing research opportunities in business or aca-
demia for students and teachers;
(M) bringing mathematicians, scientists, and engineers
from business and academia into elementary school and
secondary school classrooms; and
(N) any other activities the Director determines will
accomplish the goals of this subsection.
(4) MASTER TEACHERS.—Activities carried out in accordance
with paragraph (3)(E) shall—
(A) emphasize the training of master teachers who
will improve the instruction of mathematics or science in
kindergarten through grade 12;
H. R. 4664—13
(B) include training in both content and pedagogy;
and
(C) provide training only to teachers who will be
granted sufficient nonclassroom time to serve as master
teachers, as demonstrated by assurances their employing
school has provided to the Director, in such time and such
manner as the Director may require.
(5) SCIENCE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS.—Activities
carried out in accordance with paragraph (3)(K) and (L) shall
include elementary school and secondary school programs to
encourage the ongoing interest of girls in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology and to prepare girls to pursue
undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in science,
mathematics, engineering, or technology. Funds made available
through awards to partnerships for the purposes of this para-
graph may support programs for—
(A) encouraging girls to pursue studies in science,
mathematics, engineering, and technology and to major
in such fields in postsecondary education;
(B) tutoring girls in science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology;
(C) providing mentors for girls in person and through
the Internet to support such girls in pursuing studies in
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology;
(D) educating the parents of girls about the difficulties
faced by girls to maintain an interest and desire to achieve
in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, and
enlisting the help of parents in overcoming these difficul-
ties; and
(E) acquainting girls with careers in science, mathe-
matics, engineering, and technology and encouraging girls
to plan for careers in such fields.
(6) RESEARCH IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.—Activities carried
out in accordance with paragraph (3)(K) may include support
for research projects performed by students at secondary
schools. Uses of funds made available through awards to part-
nerships for purposes of this paragraph may include—
(A) training secondary school mathematics and science
teachers in the design of research projects for students;
(B) establishing a system for students and teachers
involved in research projects funded under this subsection
to exchange information about their projects and research
results; and
(C) assessing the educational value of the student
research projects by such means as tracking the academic
performance and choice of academic majors of students
conducting research.
(7) STIPENDS.—Grants awarded under this subsection may
be used to provide stipends for teachers or students partici-
pating in training or research activities that would not be
part of their typical classroom activities.
(b) SELECTION PROCESS.—
(1) APPLICATION.—An institution of higher education or
an eligible nonprofit organization (or a consortium of such
institutions or organizations) seeking funding under subsection
(a) shall submit an application to the Director at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the
H. R. 4664—14
Director may require. The application shall include, at a
minimum—
(A) a description of the partnership and the role that
each member will play in implementing the proposal;
(B) a description of each of the activities to be carried
out, including—
(i) how such activities will be aligned with State
mathematics and science student academic achieve-
ment standards and with other activities that promote
student achievement in mathematics and science;
(ii) how such activities will be based on a review
of relevant research;
(iii) why such activities are expected to improve
student performance and strengthen the quality of
mathematics and science instruction; and
(iv) any activities that will encourage the interest
of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42
U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology and will help prepare such
individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these
fields;
(C) a description of the number, size, and nature of
any stipends that will be provided to students or teachers
and the reasons such stipends are needed;
(D) a description of how the partnership will serve
as a catalyst for reform of mathematics and science edu-
cation programs;
(E) a description of how the partnership will assess
its success;
(F) a description of how the partnership will collaborate
with the State educational agency to ensure that successful
partnership activities may be replicated throughout the
State; and
(G) a description of the manner in which the partner-
ship will be continued after assistance under this section
ends.
(2) REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.—In evaluating the applica-
tions submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall con-
sider, at a minimum—
(A) the ability of the partnership to carry out effectively
the proposed programs;
(B) the extent to which the members of the partnership
are committed to making the partnership a central
organizational focus;
(C) the degree to which activities carried out by the
partnership are based on relevant research and are likely
to result in increased student achievement;
(D) the degree to which such activities are aligned
with State mathematics and science student academic
achievement standards;
(E) the likelihood that the partnership will dem-
onstrate activities that can be widely implemented as part
of larger scale reform efforts; and
(F) the extent to which the activities will encourage
the interest of individuals identified in section 33 or 34
of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
H. R. 4664—15
(42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, science,
engineering, and technology and will help prepare such
individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these fields.
(3) AWARDS.—In awarding grants under this section, the
Director shall—
(A) give priority to applications in which the partner-
ship includes a high-need local educational agency or a
high-need local educational agency in which at least one
school does not make adequate yearly progress, as deter-
mined pursuant to part A of title I of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311
et seq.); and
(B) ensure that, to the extent practicable, a substantial
number of the partnerships funded under this section
include businesses.
(c) ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISSEMINATION.—
(1) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—The Director shall evaluate
the program established under subsection (a). At a minimum,
such evaluation shall—
(A) use a common set of benchmarks and assessment
tools to identify best practices and materials developed
and demonstrated by the partnerships; and
(B) to the extent practicable, compare the effectiveness
of practices and materials developed and demonstrated by
the partnerships authorized under this section with those
of partnerships funded by other State or Federal agencies.
(2) DISSEMINATION
OF
RESULTS.—(A) The results of the
evaluation required under paragraph (1) shall be made avail-
able to the public and shall be provided to the Committee
on Science of the House of Representatives, the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate.
(B) Materials developed under the program established
under subsection (a) that are demonstrated to be effective shall
be made widely available to the public.
(3) ANNUAL MEETING.—The Director, in consultation with
the Secretary of Education, shall convene an annual meeting
of the partnerships participating under this section to foster
greater national collaboration.
(4) REPORT ON COORDINATION.—The Director, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Education, shall provide an annual
report to the Committee on Science of the House of Representa-
tives, the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate
describing how the program authorized under this section has
been and will be coordinated with the program authorized
under part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.). The report
under this paragraph shall be submitted along with the Presi-
dent’s annual budget request.
(5) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—At the request of an eligible
partnership or a State educational agency, the Director shall
provide the partnership or agency with technical assistance
H. R. 4664—16
in meeting any requirements of this section, including providing
advice from experts on how to develop—
(A) a quality application for a grant; and
(B) quality activities from funds received from a grant
under this section.
SEC. 10. ROBERT NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall carry out a program
to award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia
of such institutions) to provide scholarships, stipends, and
programming designed to recruit and train mathematics and
science teachers. Such program shall be known as the ‘‘Robert
Noyce Scholarship Program’’.
(2) MERIT REVIEW.—Grants shall be provided under this
subsection on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(3) USE OF GRANTS.—Grants provided under this section
shall be used by institutions of higher education or consortia—
(A) to develop and implement a program to encourage
top college juniors and seniors majoring in mathematics,
science, and engineering at the grantee’s institution to
become mathematics and science teachers, through—
(i) administering scholarships in accordance with
subsection (c);
(ii) offering programs to help scholarship recipients
to teach in elementary schools and secondary schools,
including programs that will result in teacher certifi-
cation or licensing; and
(iii) offering programs to scholarship recipients,
both before and after they receive their baccalaureate
degree, to enable the recipients to become better
mathematics and science teachers, to fulfill the service
requirements of this section, and to exchange ideas
with others in their fields; or
(B) to develop and implement a program to encourage
science, mathematics, or engineering professionals to
become mathematics and science teachers, through—
(i) administering stipends in accordance with sub-
section (d);
(ii) offering programs to help stipend recipients
obtain teacher certification or licensing; and
(iii) offering programs to stipend recipients, both
during and after matriculation in the program for
which the stipend is received, to enable recipients to
become better mathematics and science teachers, to
fulfill the service requirements of this section, and
to exchange ideas with others in their fields.
(b) SELECTION PROCESS.—
(1) APPLICATION.—An institution of higher education or
consortium seeking funding under this section shall submit
an application to the Director at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Director may require.
The application shall include, at a minimum—
(A) a description of the scholarship or stipend program
that the applicant intends to operate, including the number
of scholarships or the size and number of stipends the
H. R. 4664—17
applicant intends to award, and the selection process that
will be used in awarding the scholarships or stipends;
(B) evidence that the applicant has the capability to
administer the scholarship or stipend program in accord-
ance with the provisions of this section; and
(C) a description of the programming that will be
offered to scholarship or stipend recipients during and after
their matriculation in the program for which the scholar-
ship or stipend is received.
(2) REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.—In evaluating the applica-
tions submitted under paragraph (1), the Director shall con-
sider, at a minimum—
(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry
out the program;
(B) the extent to which the applicant is committed
to making the program a central organizational focus;
(C) the degree to which the proposed programming
will enable scholarship or stipend recipients to become
successful mathematics and science teachers;
(D) the number and quality of the students that will
be served by the program; and
(E) the ability of the applicant to recruit students
who would otherwise not pursue a career in teaching.
(c) SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Scholarships under this section shall be
available only to students who are—
(A) majoring in science, mathematics, or engineering;
and
(B) in the last 2 years of a baccalaureate degree pro-
gram.
(2) SELECTION.—Individuals shall be selected to receive
scholarships primarily on the basis of academic merit, with
consideration given to financial need and to the goal of pro-
moting the participation of individuals identified in section
33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).
(3) AMOUNT.—The Director shall establish for each year
the amount to be awarded for scholarships under this section
for that year, which shall be not less than $7,500 per year,
except that no individual shall receive for any year more than
the cost of attendance at that individual’s institution. Individ-
uals may receive a maximum of 2 years of scholarship support.
(4) SERVICE OBLIGATION.—If an individual receives a schol-
arship, that individual shall be required to complete, within
6 years after graduation from the baccalaureate degree program
for which the scholarship was awarded, 2 years of service
as a mathematics or science teacher for each year a scholarship
was received. Service required under this paragraph shall be
performed in a high-need local educational agency.
(d) STIPENDS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Stipends under this section shall be avail-
able only to mathematics, science, and engineering professionals
who, while receiving the stipend, are enrolled in a program
to receive certification or licensing to teach.
(2) SELECTION.—Individuals shall be selected to receive
stipends under this section primarily on the basis of academic
merit, with consideration given to financial need and to the
H. R. 4664—18
goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified
in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).
(3) DURATION.—Individuals may receive a maximum of 1
year of stipend support.
(4) SERVICE OBLIGATION.—If an individual receives a sti-
pend under this section, that individual shall be required to
complete, within 6 years after graduation from the program
for which the stipend was awarded, 2 years of service as a
mathematics or science teacher for each year a stipend was
received. Service required under this paragraph shall be per-
formed in a high-need local educational agency.
(e) CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT.—As a condition of acceptance of
a scholarship or stipend under this section, a recipient shall enter
into an agreement with the institution of higher education—
(1) accepting the terms of the scholarship or stipend pursu-
ant to subsections (c) and (g), or subsection (d);
(2) agreeing to provide the awarding institution of higher
education with annual certification of employment and up-
to-date contact information and to participate in surveys pro-
vided by the institution of higher education as part of an
ongoing assessment program; and
(3) establishing that any scholarship recipient shall be
liable to the United States for any amount that is required
to be repaid in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(g).
(f) COLLECTION FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.—
(1) MONITORING
COMPLIANCE.—An institution of higher
education (or consortium thereof) receiving a grant under this
section shall, as a condition of participating in the program,
enter into an agreement with the Director to monitor the
compliance of scholarship and stipend recipients with their
respective service requirements.
(2) COLLECTION OF REPAYMENT.—(A) In the event that a
scholarship recipient is required to repay the scholarship under
subsection (g), the institution shall be responsible for collecting
the repayment amounts.
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any such
repayment shall be returned to the Treasury of the United
States.
(C) A grantee may retain a percentage of any repayment
it collects to defray administrative costs associated with the
collection. The Director shall establish a single, fixed percentage
that will apply to all grantees.
(g) FAILURE TO COMPLETE SERVICE OBLIGATION.—
(1) GENERAL RULE.—If an individual who has received a
scholarship under this section—
(A) fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic
standing in the educational institution in which the indi-
vidual is enrolled, as determined by the Director;
(B) is dismissed from such educational institution for
disciplinary reasons;
(C) withdraws from the baccalaureate degree program
for which the award was made before the completion of
such program;
(D) declares that the individual does not intend to
fulfill the service obligation under this section; or
H. R. 4664—19
(E) fails to fulfill the service obligation of the individual
under this section,
such individual shall be liable to the United States as provided
in paragraph (2).
(2) AMOUNT
OF
REPAYMENT.—(A) If a circumstance
described in paragraph (1) occurs before the completion of one
year of a service obligation under this section, the United
States shall be entitled to recover from the individual, within
one year after the date of the occurrence of such circumstance,
an amount equal to—
(i) the total amount of awards received by such indi-
vidual under this section; plus
(ii) the interest on the amounts of such awards which
would be payable if at the time the awards were received
they were loans bearing interest at the maximum legal
prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the
United States,
multiplied by 2.
(B) If a circumstance described in paragraph (1)(D) or
(E) occurs after the completion of one year of a service obligation
under this section, the United States shall be entitled to recover
from the individual, within one year after the date of the
occurrence of such circumstance, an amount equal to the total
amount of awards received by such individual under this section
minus 1⁄2 of the amount of the award received per year for
each full year of service completed, plus the interest on such
amounts which would be payable if at the time the amounts
were received they were loans bearing interest at the maximum
legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the
United States.
(3) EXCEPTIONS.—The Director may provide for the partial
or total waiver or suspension of any service or payment obliga-
tion by an individual under this section whenever compliance
by the individual with the obligation is impossible or would
involve extreme hardship to the individual, or if enforcement
of such obligation with respect to the individual would be
unconscionable.
(h) DATA
COLLECTION.—Institutions or consortia receiving
grants under this section shall supply to the Director any relevant
statistical and demographic data on scholarship recipients and sti-
pend recipients the Director may request, including information
on employment required by subsection (e).
(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—
(1) the term ‘‘cost of attendance’’ has the meaning given
such term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1087ll);
(2) the term ‘‘mathematics and science teacher’’ means
a mathematics, science, or technology teacher at the elementary
school or secondary school level;
(3) the term ‘‘mathematics, science, or engineering profes-
sional’’ means a person who holds a baccalaureate, masters,
or doctoral degree in science, mathematics, or engineering and
is working in that field or a related area;
(4) the term ‘‘scholarship’’ means an award under sub-
section (c); and
(5) the term ‘‘stipend’’ means an award under subsection
(d).
H. R. 4664—20
SEC. 11. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON MATHE-
MATICS AND SCIENCE LEARNING AND EDUCATION
IMPROVEMENT.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—(A) The Director shall award grants to
institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to estab-
lish multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and
Education Improvement.
(B) Grants shall be awarded under this paragraph on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Centers shall be to con-
duct and evaluate research in cognitive science, education, and
related fields and to develop ways in which the results of
such research can be applied in elementary school and sec-
ondary school classrooms to improve the teaching of mathe-
matics and science.
(3) FOCUS.—(A) Each Center shall be focused on a different
challenge faced by elementary school or secondary school
teachers of mathematics and science. In determining the
research focus of the Centers, the Director shall consult with
the National Academy of Sciences and the Secretary of Edu-
cation and take into account the extent to which other Federal
programs support research on similar questions.
(B) The proposal solicitation issued by the Director shall
state the focus of each Center and applicants shall apply for
designation as a specific Center.
(C) At least one Center shall focus on developing ways
in which the results of research described in paragraph (2)
can be applied, duplicated, and scaled up for use in low-per-
forming elementary schools and secondary schools to improve
the teaching and student achievement levels in mathematics
and science.
(D) To the extent practicable and relevant to its focus,
every Center shall include, as part of its research, work
designed to quantitatively assess and improve the ways that
information technology is used in the teaching of mathematics
and science.
(b) SELECTION PROCESS.—
(1) APPLICATION.—An institution of higher education (or
a consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this
section shall submit an application to the Director at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Director may require. The application shall include, at
a minimum, a description of—
(A) the initial research projects that will be undertaken
by the Center and the process by which new projects will
be identified;
(B) how the Center will work with other research
institutions and schools to broaden the national research
agenda on learning and teaching;
(C) how the Center will promote active collaboration
among physical, biological, and social science researchers;
(D) how the Center will promote active participation
by elementary and secondary mathematics and science
teachers and administrators; and