20 USC § 9802 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t20/s9802"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "20 USC § 9802 - Definitions"
title_number: 20
title_name: "EDUCATION"
section_number: "9802"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 78
chapter_name: "SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, AND CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 110–69, title VI, § 6001, formerly § 6002, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 625; renumbered § 6001, Pub. L. 111–358, title X, § 1002(b)(1), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4048; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(i)(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2167.)"
---


# § 9802. Definitions

**(a)** **ESEA definitions** section 7801 of this title

Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, the terms used in this chapter have the meanings given the terms in .

**(b)** **Other definitions** In this chapter:

**(1)** **Critical foreign language** The term “critical foreign language” means a foreign language that the Secretary determines, in consultation with the heads of such Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate, is critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States.

**(2)** **Institution of higher education** section 1001(a) of this title

The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in .

**(3)** **Secretary** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education.

**(4)** **Scientifically valid research** The term “scientifically valid research” includes applied research, basic research, and field-initiated research in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with accepted principles of scientific research.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 110–69, title VI, § 6001, formerly § 6002, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 625; renumbered § 6001, Pub. L. 111–358, title X, § 1002(b)(1), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4048; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(i)(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2167.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior  was classified to  prior to repeal by .

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a).  made amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to . Amendment was executed to this section, which is , notwithstanding directory language directing amendment of , to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the renumbering of  as this section.  does not contain a section 6002.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by  effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as a note under .