§ 1136b. Masters degree programs at predominantly Black institutions
(a)
Grant program authorized
(1)
In general
Subject to the availability of funds appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award program grants to each of the institutions listed in subsection (b)(1) that is determined by the Secretary to be making a substantial contribution to graduate education opportunities at the masters level in mathematics, engineering, the physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health, or other scientific disciplines for Black Americans.
(2)
Assurance of non-Federal matching funds
No grant in excess of $1,000,000 may be made under this section unless the institution provides assurances that 50 percent of the cost of the purposes for which the grant is made will be paid from non-Federal sources, except that no institution shall be required to match any portion of the first $1,000,000 of the institution’s award from the Secretary. After funds are made available to each eligible institution under the funding rules described in subsection (f), the Secretary shall distribute, on a pro rata basis, any amounts which were not so made available (by reason of the failure of an institution to comply with the matching requirements of this paragraph) among the institutions that have complied with such matching requirement.
(b)
Institutional eligibility
(2)
Qualified masters degree program
(A)
In general
For the purposes of this section, the term “qualified masters degree program” means a masters degree program that provides a program of instruction in mathematics, engineering, the physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health, or other scientific disciplines in which African Americans are underrepresented and has students enrolled in such program of instruction at the time of application for a grant under this section.
(3)
Institutional choice
The president or chancellor of the institution may decide which graduate school or qualified masters degree program will receive funds under the grant in any one fiscal year, if the allocation of funds among the schools or programs is delineated in the application for funds submitted to the Secretary under this section.
(c)
Application
An eligible institution listed in subsection (b)(1) desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application shall—
(d)
Uses of funds
A grant under this section may be used for—
(1)
purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes;
(2)
construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services;
(3)
purchase of library books, periodicals, technical and other scientific journals, microfilm, microfiche, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program materials;
(4)
scholarships, fellowships, and other financial assistance for needy graduate students to permit the enrollment of the students in, and completion of, a masters degree in mathematics, engineering, the physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health, or other scientific disciplines in which African Americans are underrepresented;
(5)
establishing or improving a development office to strengthen and increase contributions from alumni and the private sector;
(6)
assisting in the establishment or maintenance of an institutional endowment to facilitate financial independence pursuant to section
1065 of this title;
(7)
funds and administrative management, and the acquisition of equipment, including software, for use in strengthening funds management and management information systems;
(8)
acquisition of real property that is adjacent to the campus in connection with the construction, renovation, or improvement of, or an addition to, campus facilities;
(9)
education or financial information designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students or the students’ families, especially with regard to student indebtedness and student assistance programs under subchapter IV of this chapter and part
C of subchapter
I of chapter
34 of title
42;
(f)
Funding rule
Subject to subsection (g), of the amount appropriated to carry out this section for any fiscal year—
(1)
the first $2,500,000 (or any lesser amount appropriated) shall be available only for the purposes of making minimum grants under subsection (a)(3) to eligible institutions listed in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of subsection (b)(1), except that if the amount appropriated is not sufficient to pay the minimum grant awards to all such eligible institutions, the amount of the minimum award to each such eligible institution shall be ratably reduced;
(2)
after the application of paragraph (1), an amount shall be available for the purpose of making minimum grants under subsection (a)(3) to eligible institutions described in subsection (b)(1) that do not receive a grant under paragraph (1), if any, except that if the amount appropriated is not sufficient to pay the minimum grant awards to all such eligible institutions, the amount of the minimum award to each such eligible institution shall be ratably reduced; and
(3)
any amount in excess of $2,500,000 shall be made available to each of the eligible institutions identified in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of subsection (b)(1), pursuant to a formula developed by the Secretary that uses the following elements:
(B)
The number of students enrolled in the qualified masters degree program at the eligible institution in the previous academic year.
(C)
The average cost of attendance per student, for all full-time students enrolled in the qualified masters degree program at such institution.
(g)
Hold harmless rule
Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (f), no eligible institution identified in subsection (b)(1) that receives a grant under this section for fiscal year 2009 and that is eligible to receive a grant in a subsequent fiscal year shall receive a grant amount in any such subsequent fiscal year that is less than the grant amount received for fiscal year 2009, unless—