50 U.S.C. § 1902 Scholarship, Fellowship, and Grant Program

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(a) Program required

(1) In general

The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program for-

(A) awarding scholarships to undergraduate students who-

(i) are United States citizens in order to enable such students to study, for at least one academic semester or equivalent term, in foreign countries that are critical countries (as determined under section 1903(d)(4)(A) of this title) in those languages and study areas where deficiencies exist (as identified in the assessments undertaken pursuant to section 1906(d) of this title); and

(ii) pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(A), enter into an agreement to work in a national security position or work in the field of higher education in the area of study for which the scholarship was awarded;

(B) awarding fellowships to graduate students who-

(i) are United States citizens to enable such students to pursue education as part of a graduate degree program of a United States institution of higher education in the disciplines of foreign languages, area studies, counterproliferation studies, and other international fields relating to the national security interests of the United States that are critical areas of those disciplines (as determined under section 1903(d)(4)(B) of this title) and in which deficiencies exist (as identified in the assessments undertaken pursuant to section 1906(d) of this title); and

(ii) pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B), enter into an agreement to work in a national security position or work in the field of education in the area of study for which the fellowship was awarded;

(C) awarding grants to institutions of higher education to enable such institutions to establish, operate, or improve programs in foreign languages, area studies, counterproliferation studies, and other international fields that are critical areas of those disciplines (as determined under section 1903(d)(4)(C) of this title);

(D) awarding grants to institutions of higher education to carry out activities under the National Flagship Language Initiative (described in subsection (i)); and

(E) awarding scholarships to students who-

(i) are United States citizens who-

(I) are native speakers (referred to as "heritage community citizens") of a foreign language that is identified as critical to the national security interests of the United States who should be actively recruited for employment by Federal security agencies with a need for linguists; and

(II) are not proficient at a professional level in the English language with respect to reading, writing, and other skills required to carry out the national security interests of the United States, as determined by the Secretary,

to enable such students to pursue English language studies at an institution of higher education of the United States to attain proficiency in those skills; and

(ii) enter into an agreement to work in a position in a similar manner (as determined by the Secretary) as agreements entered into pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(A).

(2) Funding allocations

Of the amount available for obligation out of the National Security Education Trust Fund or from a transfer under section 1910(c) of this title for any fiscal year for the purposes stated in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall have a goal of allocating-

(A) 1/3 of such amount for the awarding of scholarships pursuant to paragraph (1)(A);

(B) 1/3 of such amount for the awarding of fellowships pursuant to paragraph (1)(B); and

(C) 1/3 of such amount for the awarding of grants pursuant to paragraph (1)(C).

The funding allocation under this paragraph shall not apply to grants under paragraph (1)(D) for the National Flagship Language Initiative described in subsection (i) or for the scholarship program under paragraph (1)(E). For the authorization of appropriations for the National Flagship Language Initiative, see section 1911 of this title. For the authorization of appropriations for the scholarship program under paragraph (1)(E), see section 1912 of this title.

(3) Consultation with National Security Education Board

The program required under this chapter shall be carried out in consultation with the National Security Education Board established under section 1903 of this title.

(4) Contract authority

The Secretary may enter into one or more contracts, with private national organizations having an expertise in foreign languages, area studies, counterproliferation studies, and other international fields, for the awarding of the scholarships, fellowships, and grants described in paragraph (1) in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The Secretary may enter into such contracts without regard to section 6101 of title 41 or any other provision of law that requires the use of competitive procedures. In addition, the Secretary may enter into personal service contracts for periods up to one year for program administration, except that not more than 10 such contracts may be in effect at any one time.

(b) Service agreement

In awarding a scholarship or fellowship under the program, the Secretary or contract organization referred to in subsection (a)(4), as the case may be, shall require a recipient of any fellowship or any scholarship to enter into an agreement that, in return for such assistance, the recipient-

(1) will maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, and agrees that failure to maintain such progress shall constitute grounds upon which the Secretary or contract organization referred to in subsection (a)(4) may terminate such assistance;

(2)

(A) will (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense in coordination with the heads of the other Federal departments and agencies concerned) begin work not later than three years after the recipient's completion of degree study during which scholarship assistance was provided under the program-

(i) for not less than one year in a position certified by the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of State (as appropriate), as contributing to the national security of the United States in the Department of Defense, any element of the intelligence community, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Department of State;

(ii) for not less than one year in a position in a Federal agency or office that is identified by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (g) as having national security responsibilities if the recipient demonstrates to the Secretary that no position is available in the departments and agencies covered by clause (i); or

(iii) for not less than one academic year in a position in the field of education in a discipline related to the study supported by the program if the recipient demonstrates to the Secretary of Defense that no position is available in the departments, agencies, and offices covered by clauses (i) and (ii); or

(B) will (in accordance with such regulations) begin work not later than two years after the recipient's completion or termination of study for which fellowship assistance was provided under the program-

(i) for not less than one year in a position certified by the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of State (as appropriate), as contributing to the national security of the United States in the Department of Defense, any element of the intelligence community, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Department of State;