# § 3319e. New Era Rural Technology Program
**(a)** **Definition of community college** In this section, the term “community college” means an institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20)—
**(1)** that admits as regular students individuals who—
**(A)** are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is located; and
**(B)** have the ability to benefit from the training offered by the institution;
**(2)** that does not provide an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree; and
**(3)** that—
**(A)** provides an educational program of not less than 2 years that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; or
**(B)** offers a 2-year program in engineering, technology, mathematics, or the physical, chemical, or biological sciences, designed to prepare a student to work as a technician or at the semiprofessional level in engineering, scientific, or other technological fields requiring the understanding and application of basic engineering, scientific, or mathematical principles of knowledge.
**(b)** **Functions**
**(1)** **Establishment**
**(A)** **In general** The Secretary shall establish a program to be known as the “New Era Rural Technology Program”, to make grants available for technology development, applied research, and training to aid in the development of an agriculture-based renewable energy workforce.
**(B)** **Support** The initiative under this section shall support the fields of—
**(i)** bioenergy;
**(ii)** pulp and paper manufacturing;
**(iii)** agriculture-based renewable energy resources; and
**(iv)** precision agriculture.
**(2)** **Requirements for funding** To receive funding under this section, an entity shall—
**(A)** be a community college or advanced technological center, located in a rural area and in existence on the date of the enactment of this section, that participates in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research;
**(B)** have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the agriculture-based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary; and
**(C)** have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations.
**(c)** **Grant priority** In providing grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities working in partnership—
**(1)** to improve information-sharing capacity; and
**(2)** to maximize the ability to meet the requirements of this section.
**(d)** **Authorization of appropriations** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1473E, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7137, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1229, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7137, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1990; amended Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7130, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4795.)
## Editorial Notes
### References in Text
The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), is the date of enactment of , which was approved .
### Codification
and enacted identical sections. was repealed by .
### Prior Provisions
A prior section 3319e, , as added , , , related to research into new commercial products from natural plant materials, prior to repeal by , , .
### Amendments
2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv). , added cl. (iv).
Subsec. (d). , substituted “2019 through 2023” for “2008 through 2012”.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Effective Date
Enactment of this section and repeal of by effective , the date of enactment of , see , set out as a note under .