To provide grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher education.

SECTION 1. MODELING AND SIMULATION PROGRAMS.

    The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new title:

                   ``TITLE VIII--ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

``SEC. 801. MODELING AND SIMULATION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Purpose; Definition.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote 
        the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher 
        education, through the collaboration with new and existing 
        programs, and specifically to promote the use of technology in 
        such study through the creation of accurate models that can 
        simulate processes or recreate real life, by--
                    ``(A) establishing a task force at the Department 
                of Education to raise awareness of and define the study 
                of modeling and simulation;
                    ``(B) provide grants to institutions of higher 
                education to develop new modeling and simulation degree 
                programs; and
                    ``(C) create grants for institutions of higher 
                education to enhance existing modeling and simulation 
                degree programs.
            ``(2) Definition.--In this section, the term `modeling and 
        simulation' means a field of study related to the application 
        of computer science and mathematics to develop a level of 
        understanding of the interaction of the parts of a system and 
        of a system as a whole.
    ``(b) Establishment of Taskforce.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a taskforce 
        within the Department of Education to study modeling and 
        simulation and to support the development of the modeling and 
        simulation field. The activities of such taskforce shall 
        include--
                    ``(A) helping to define the study of modeling and 
                simulation (including the content of modeling and 
                simulation classes and programs);
                    ``(B) identifying best practices for such study;
                    ``(C) identifying core knowledge and skills that 
                individuals who participate in modeling and simulation 
                programs should aquire; and
                    ``(D) providing recommendations to the Secretary 
                with respect to--
                            ``(i) the information described in 
                        subparagraphs (A) through (C); and
                            ``(ii) a system by which grants under this 
                        section will be distributed.
            ``(2) Taskforce membership.--The membership of the 
        taskforce under this subsection shall be composed of 
        representatives from--
                    ``(A) institutions of higher education with 
                established modeling and simulation degree programs;
                    ``(B) the National Science Foundation;
                    ``(C) Federal Government agencies that use modeling 
                and simulation extensively, including the Department of 
                Defense, the National Institute of Health, the 
                Department of Homeland Security, the Department of 
                Health and Human Services, the Department of Energy, 
                and the Department of Transportation;
                    ``(D) private industries with a primary focus on 
                modeling and simulation; and
                    ``(E) national modeling and simulation 
                organizations.
    ``(c) Enhancing Modeling and Simulation at Institutions of Higher 
Education.--
            ``(1) Enhancement grants authorized.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to 
                award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
                institutions to enhance modeling and simulation degree 
                programs at such eligible institutions.
                    ``(B) Duration of grant.--A grant awarded under 
                this subsection shall be awarded for a 3-year period, 
                and such grant period may be extended for not more than 
                2 years if the Secretary determines that an eligible 
                institution has demonstrated success in enhancing the 
                modeling and simulation degree program at such eligible 
                institution.
                    ``(C) Minimum grant amount.--Subject to the 
                availability of appropriations, a grant awarded to an 
                eligible institution under this subsection shall not be 
                for an amount less than $750,000.
                    ``(D) Non-federal share.--Each eligible institution 
                receiving a grant under this subsection shall provide, 
                from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, an amount 
                equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant to carry 
                out the activities supported by the grant. The 
                Secretary may waive the non-Federal share requirement 
                under this subparagraph for an eligible institution if 
                the Secretary determines a waiver to be appropriate 
                based on the financial ability of the institution.
            ``(2) Eligible institutions.--For the purposes of this 
        subsection, an eligible institution is an institution of higher 
        education that--
                    ``(A) has an established modeling and simulation 
                degree program, including a major, minor, or career-
                track program; or
                    ``(B) has an established modeling and simulation 
                certifcate or concentration program.
            ``(3) Application.--To be considered for a grant under this 
        subsection, an eligible institution shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such 
        application shall include--
                    ``(A) a letter from the President or provost of the 
                eligible institution that demonstrates the 
                institution's commitment to the enhancement of the 
                modeling and simulation program at the institution of 
                higher education;
                    ``(B) identification of designated faculty 
                responsible for the enhancement of the institution's 
                modeling and simulation program; and
                    ``(C) a detailed plan for how the grant funds will 
                be used to enhance the modeling and simulation program 
                of the institution.
            ``(4) Uses of funds.--A grant awarded under this subsection 
        shall be used by an eligible institution to carry out the plan 
        developed in accordance with paragraph (3)(C) to enhance 
        modeling and simulation programs at the institution, which may 
        include--
                    ``(A) in the case of an institution that is 
                eligible under paragraph (2)(B), activities to assist 
                in the establishment of a major, minor, or career-track 
                modeling and simulation program at the eligible 
                institution;
                    ``(B) expanding the multi-disciplinary nature of 
                the institution's modeling and simulation programs;
                    ``(C) recruiting students into the field of 
                modeling and simulation through the provision of 
                fellowships or assistantships;
                    ``(D) creating new courses to compliment existing 
                courses and reflect emerging developments in the 
                modeling and simulation field;
                    ``(E) conducting research to support new 
                methodologies and techniques in modeling and 
                simulation; and
                    ``(F) purchasing equipment necessary for modeling 
                and simulation programs.
    ``(d) Establishing Modeling and Simulation Programs.--
            ``(1) Establishment grants authorized.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to 
                award grants to institutions of higher education to 
                establish a modeling and simulation program, including 
                a major, minor, career-track, certificate, or 
                concentration program.
                    ``(B) Duration of grant.--A grant awarded under 
                this subsection shall be awarded for a 3-year period, 
                and such grant period may be extended for not more than 
                2 years if the Secretary determines that an eligible 
                institution has demonstrated success in establishing a 
                modeling and simulation degree program at such eligible 
                institution.
                    ``(C) Minimum grant amount.--Subject to the 
                availability of appropriations, a grant awarded to an 
                eligible institution under this subsection shall not be 
                for an amount less than $750,000.
                    ``(D) Non-federal share.--Each eligible institution 
                receiving a grant under this subsection shall provide, 
                from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, an amount 
                equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant to carry 
                out the activities supported by the grant. The 
                Secretary may waive the non-Federal share requirement 
                under this subparagraph for an eligible institution if 
                the Secretary determines a waiver to be appropriate 
                based on the financial ability of the institution.
            ``(2) Application.--To apply for a grant under this 
        subsection, an eligible institution shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such 
        application shall include--
                    ``(A) a letter from the President or provost of the 
                eligible institution that demonstrates the 
                institution's commitment to the establishment of a 
                modeling and simulation program at the institution of 
                higher education;
                    ``(B) a detailed plan for how the grant funds will 
                be used to establish a modeling and simulation program 
                at the institution; and
                    ``(C) a description of how the modeling and 
                simulation program established under this subsection 
                will complement existing programs and fit into the 
                institution's current program and course offerings.
            ``(3) Uses of funds.--A grant awarded under this subsection 
        may be used by an eligible institution to--
                    ``(A) establish, or work toward the establishment 
                of, a modeling and simulation program, including a 
                major, minor, career-track, certificate, or 
                concentration program at the eligible institution;
                    ``(B) provide adequate staffing to ensure the 
                successful establishment of the modeling and simulation 
                program, which may include the assignment of full-time 
                dedicated or supportive faculty; and
                    ``(C) purchasing equipment necessary for a modeling 
                and simulation program.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years. Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal 
year--
            ``(1) $1,000,000 is authorized to carry out the activities 
        of the task force established pursuant to subsection (b); and
            ``(2) of the amount remaining after the allocation for 
        paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) 50 percent is authorized to carry out the 
                grant program under subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) 50 percent is authorized to carry out the 
                grant program under subsection (d).''.

Summary: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a taskforce within the Department of Education to recommend improvements to the study of modeling and simulation, and identify the core capacities that students in such programs should acquire.

Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) for the enhancement of their existing modeling and simulation programs; and (2) grants to IHEs for the establishment of such programs. Requires grantees to raise, from nonfederal sources, an amount equal to 25% of their grants.