§16536 Protecting America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) graduate fellowship program

Summary

The Secretary must set up a graduate fellowship program to give awards to students working on doctoral degrees in fields that matter to the Department. Eligible student — someone enrolled at a college or university that offers a doctoral degree in a field tied to a Department mission. Fellowships are chosen by a competitive merit review with written and oral interviews and should be spread widely across the United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. They must study science or engineering important to the Department and must show they can understand technical ideas from first principles, be imaginative and creative, show leadership (including awards or past experience), and have strong verbal and communication skills. Each fellowship must provide an annual living stipend and pay graduate tuition and related costs like books, computers, and software. Awards can last up to 3 years within a 5-year period and move with the student. The Director of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education will run the program, and the Secretary may hire a nonprofit to help. Congress authorized these funds: $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, including nonexpiring fellowships for the preceding fiscal year; $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, including nonexpiring fellowships for preceding fiscal years; $20,600,000 for fiscal year 2011; $21,200,000 for fiscal year 2012; and $21,900,000 for fiscal year 2013.