20 USC § 3912 - Functional objectives; uses of funds

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t20/s3912"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "20 USC § 3912 - Functional objectives; uses of funds"
title_number: 20
title_name: "EDUCATION"
section_number: "3912"
section_name: "Functional objectives; uses of funds"
chapter_number: 52
chapter_name: "EDUCATION FOR ECONOMIC SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 102, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 894.)"
---


# § 3912. Functional objectives; uses of funds

**(a)** In carrying out its science and engineering education responsibilities, the Foundation shall have the following functional objectives: public understanding of science and technology, faculty enhancement, student education and training, instructional development and instrumentation, and materials development and dissemination.

**(b)** Funds under this subchapter shall, consistent with such functional objectives, be used for—

**(1)** enhancement of public understanding of science and engineering through informal education activities using a variety of mediums such as broadcasting, museums, clubs, and amateur science societies;

**(2)** development of new science and engineering faculty resources and talents;

**(3)** enhancement of the quality of science and engineering instruction in colleges of teacher education;

**(4)** development of four-year college faculty and instructors in high technology fields;

**(5)** development of two-year community college faculty and instructors especially in high technology fields;

**(6)** development of precollege mathematics, science and engineering education and training;

**(7)** encouragement of potential students, including underrepresented and underserved populations, to pursue careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and critical foreign languages;

**(8)** development of instructional instrumentation and systems for postsecondary technical, engineering, and scientific education; and

**(9)** development of science, engineering, and education networks to aid in the development and dissemination of successful curricula, methods, and materials.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 102, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 894.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3912, , , , related to submission, contents, etc., of applications, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by .