§7381. Findings and purposes

(a) Findings

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Scientific, technical, and engineering competence is essential to the Nation's future well-being.

(2) The scientific, technical, and engineering capability at the Federal laboratories is unmatched throughout the world.

(3) Superb research, development, testing, and evaluation occur in Department of Energy research and development facilities.

(4) Department of Energy research and development facilities will play an increasing role in assuring that the United States remains competitive in world markets.

(5) Improvements in mathematics, science, and engineering education are needed desperately to provide the trained and educated citizenry essential to the future competitiveness of the United States.

(6) The future health and vitality of the economy of the United States is predicated on the availability of an adequate supply of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to provide for growing needs and to replenish the workforce.

(7) United States college and university enrollment in science, mathematics, and engineering programs is sharply declining at undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels.

(8) The Federal Government is the largest United States employer of research scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, and the Department of Energy has a growing need for scientists, mathematicians, and engineers at a time when these enrollments are declining.

(9) Women and minorities are grossly underrepresented in science and mathematics fields, and this group represents more than 80 percent of the projected increase in the national workforce through the year 2000.

(b) Purposes

The purposes of this subchapter are-

(1) to encourage the development and implementation of science, mathematics, and engineering education programs at the Department of Energy and at its research and development facilities as part of a national effort to improve science, mathematics, and engineering education; and

(2) to provide more efficient coordination among science, mathematics, and engineering education programs.

( Pub. L. 101–510, div. C, title XXXI, §3162, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1840 .)

References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original "this part", meaning part E of title XXXI of div. C of Pub. L. 101–510, which is classified principally to this subchapter. For complete classification of part E to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

Short Title

Section 3161 of Pub. L. 101–510 provided that: "This part [part E (§§3161–3168) of title XXXI of div. C of Pub. L. 101–510, enacting this subchapter and amending section 7112 of this title] may be cited as the 'Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act'."

University-Based Research Collaboration Program

Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, §3155, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2044 , provided that:

"(a) Findings.-Congress makes the following findings:

"(1) The maintenance of scientific and engineering competence in the United States is vital to long-term national security and the defense and national security missions of the Department of Energy.

"(2) Engaging the universities and colleges of the Nation in research on long-range problems of vital national security interest will be critical to solving the technology challenges faced within the defense and national security programs of the Department of Energy in the next century.

"(3) Enhancing collaboration among the national laboratories, universities and colleges, and industry will contribute significantly to the performance of these Department of Energy missions.

"(b) Program.-The Secretary of Energy shall establish a university program at a location that can develop the most effective collaboration among national laboratories, universities and colleges, and industry in support of scientific and engineering advancement in key Department of Energy defense and national security program areas.

"(c) Funding.-Of the funds authorized to be appropriated in this title [see Tables for classification] to the Department of Energy for fiscal year 1998, the Secretary shall make $5,000,000 available for the establishment and operation of the program under subsection (b)."