42 USC § 16532 - Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s16532"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 16532 - Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "16532"
section_name: "Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education"
chapter_number: 149
chapter_name: "NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS"
subchapter_number: "XVII"
subchapter_name: "PROTECTING AMERICA’S COMPETITIVE EDGE THROUGH ENERGY"
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 V, § 5004, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 111–358, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4044.)"
---


# § 16532. Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education

**(a)** **Purposes** The purposes of this section are—

**(1)** to address the decline in the number of and resources available to nuclear science programs at institutions of higher education; and

**(2)** to increase the number of graduates with degrees in nuclear science, an area of strategic importance to the economic competitiveness and energy security of the United States.

**(b)** **Definition of nuclear science** In this section, the term “nuclear science” includes—

**(1)** nuclear science;

**(2)** nuclear engineering;

**(3)** nuclear chemistry;

**(4)** radio chemistry; and

**(5)** health physics.

**(c)** **Establishment** The Secretary shall establish, in accordance with this section, a program to expand and enhance institution of higher education nuclear science educational capabilities.

**(d)** **Nuclear science program expansion grants for institutions of higher education**

**(1)** **In general** The Secretary shall award up to 3 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education that establish new academic degree programs in nuclear science.

**(2)** **Priority** In evaluating grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that involve partnerships with a National Laboratory or other eligible nuclear-related entity, as determined by the Secretary.

**(3)** **Criteria** Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on—

**(A)** the potential to attract new students to the program;

**(B)** academic rigor; and

**(C)** the ability to offer hands-on learning opportunities.

**(4)** **Duration and amount**

**(A)** **Duration** A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.

**(B)** **Amount** An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $1,000,000 for each year of the grant period.

**(5)** **Use of funds** An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to—

**(A)** recruit and retain new faculty;

**(B)** develop core and specialized course content;

**(C)** encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers in the nuclear science field; and

**(D)** support outreach efforts to recruit students.

**(e)** **Nuclear science competitiveness grants for institutions of higher education**

**(1)** **In general** The Secretary shall award up to 5 competitive grants for each fiscal year to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs that produce graduates in nuclear science.

**(2)** **Criteria** Criteria for a grant awarded under this subsection shall be based on the potential for increasing the number and academic quality of graduates in the nuclear sciences who enter into careers in nuclear-related fields.

**(3)** **Duration and amount**

**(A)** **Duration** A grant under this subsection may be up to 5 years in duration.

**(B)** **Amount** An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection shall be eligible for up to $500,000 for each year of the grant period.

**(4)** **Use of funds** An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this subsection may use the grant to—

**(A)** increase the number of graduates in nuclear science that enter into careers in the nuclear science field;

**(B)** enhance the teaching of advanced nuclear technologies;

**(C)** aggressively pursue collaboration opportunities with industry and National Laboratories;

**(D)** bolster or sustain nuclear infrastructure and research facilities of the institution of higher education, such as research and training reactors or laboratories; and

**(E)** provide tuition assistance and stipends to undergraduate and graduate students.

**(f)** **Authorization of appropriations**

**(1)** **Nuclear science program expansion grants for institutions of higher education** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (d)—

**(A)** $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;

**(B)** $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;

**(C)** $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;

**(D)** $9,800,000 for fiscal year 2011;

**(E)** $10,100,000 for fiscal year 2012; and

**(F)** $10,400,000 for fiscal year 2013.

**(2)** **Nuclear science competitiveness grants for institutions of higher education** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e)—

**(A)** $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

**(B)** $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;

**(C)** $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;

**(D)** $8,240,000 for fiscal year 2011;

**(E)** $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2012; and

**(F)** $8,750,000 for fiscal year 2013.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 110–69, title V, § 5004, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 111–358, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4044.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Subsec. (f)(1)(D) to (F). , added subpars. (D) to (F).

Subsec. (f)(2)(D) to (F). , added subpars. (D) to (F).