of Allied Health Education Programs if the in-
stitution receives a grant under this section. 
(2) The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated for fiscal year 2018 for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, $15,000,000 to carry out 
this section. The amount so authorized to be appro-
priated shall remain available for obligation until 
September 30, 2020. 
(2) UNOBLIGATED AMOUNTS TO BE RETURNED 
TO THE TREASURY.—Any amounts authorized to be 
appropriated by paragraph (1) that are not obligated 
by the Secretary as of September 30, 2020, shall be 
returned to the Treasury of the United States. 
SEC. 3. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ORTHOTIC AND PROS-
THETIC EDUCATION. 
(a) GRANT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall award a grant to an eligible institution 
to enable the eligible institution— 
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(A) to establish the Center of Excellence in 
Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Center’’); and 
(B) to enable the eligible institution to im-
prove orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for vet-
erans, members of the Armed Forces, and civil-
ians by conducting evidence-based research 
on— 
(i) the knowledge, skills, and training 
most needed by clinical professionals in the 
field of orthotics and prosthetics; and 
(ii) how to most effectively prepare 
clinical professionals to provide effective, 
high-quality orthotic and prosthetic care. 
(2) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give pri-
ority in the award of a grant under this section to 
an eligible institution that has in force, or dem-
onstrates the willingness and ability to enter into, a 
memoranda of understanding with the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or 
other appropriate Federal agency, or a cooperative 
agreement with an appropriate private sector entity, 
which memorandum of understanding or cooperative 
agreement provides for either, or both, of the fol-
lowing: 
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(A) The provision of resources, whether in 
cash or in-kind, to the Center. 
(B) Assistance to the Center in conducting 
research and disseminating the results of such 
research. 
(3) GRANT
AMOUNT.—The grant awarded 
under this section shall be in the amount of 
$5,000,000. 
(b) REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall issue a request for proposals from eligible insti-
tutions for the grant under this section. 
(2) PROPOSALS.—An eligible institution that 
seeks the award of the grant under this section shall 
submit an application therefor to the Secretary at 
such time, in such manner, and accompanied by 
such information as the Secretary may require. 
(c) GRANT USES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The eligible institution 
awarded the grant under this section shall use the 
grant amount as follows: 
(A) To develop an agenda for orthotics and 
prosthetics education research. 
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(B) To fund research in the area of 
orthotics and prosthetics education. 
(C) To publish or otherwise disseminate 
research findings relating to orthotics and pros-
thetics education. 
(2) PERIOD OF USE OF FUNDS.—The eligible 
institution awarded the grant under this section may 
use the grant amount for a period of five years after 
the award of the grant. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘eligible institution’’ means an 
educational institution that— 
(A) has a robust research program; 
(B) offers an orthotics and prosthetics 
education program that is accredited by the Na-
tional Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic 
Education in cooperation with the Commission 
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education 
Programs; 
(C) is well recognized in the field of 
orthotics and prosthetics education; and 
(D) has an established association with— 
(i) a medical center or clinic of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
(ii) a local rehabilitation hospital. 
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(2) The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
Code. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2018 for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, $5,000,000 to carry out 
this section. 
Æ 
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