§16537 — Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary must create a program to help colleges and national labs hire top scientists who will work at both places. The goal is to improve science and teaching by making stronger partnerships. Candidates must be widely known in their field and be chosen through an open, competitive process. University hires must fit inside the school’s tenure slots and be at least at professor rank. Lab hires must be at the lab’s highest scientist or technical rank. Each appointment lasts 6 years, paid as two 3-year funding periods. After the first 3 years there must be an open peer review to decide if the second 3-year payment is approved. Grant money can pay the scientist’s salary and support staff, undergraduate/graduate/postdoc positions, research equipment, professional travel, and other needs the Secretary allows. The college or university must pay at least 50% of the total cost. The law authorized these amounts: $15,000,000 for FY2008; $20,000,000 for FY2009; $30,000,000 for FY2010; $31,000,000 for FY2011; $32,000,000 for FY2012; and $33,000,000 for FY2013.

Title 42, §16537

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The purpose of this section is to promote scientific and academic excellence through collaborations between institutions of higher education and National Laboratories.

(b)The Secretary shall establish a program to support the joint appointment of distinguished scientists by institutions of higher education and National Laboratories.

(c)To be eligible for appointment as a distinguished scientist under this section, an individual, by reason of professional background and experience, shall be able to bring international recognition to the appointing institution of higher education or National Laboratory in the field of scientific endeavor of the individual.

(d)A distinguished scientist appointed under this section shall be selected through an open, competitive process.

(e)(1)An appointment by an institution of higher education under this section shall be filled within the tenure allotment of the institution of higher education, at a minimum rank of professor.

(2)An appointment by a National Laboratory under this section shall be at the rank of the highest grade of distinguished scientist or technical staff of the National Laboratory.

(f)An appointment under this section shall—

(1)be for a term of 6 years; and

(2)consist of 2 3-year funding allotments.

(g)Funds made available under this section may be used for—

(1)the salary of the distinguished scientist and support staff;

(2)undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral appointments;

(3)research-related equipment;

(4)professional travel; and

(5)such other requirements as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the purpose of the program.

(h)(1)The appointment of a distinguished scientist under this section shall be reviewed at the end of the first 3-year allotment for the distinguished scientist through an open peer-review process to determine whether the appointment is meeting the purpose of this section under subsection (a).

(2)Funding of the appointment of the distinguished scientist for the second 3-year allotment shall be determined based on the review conducted under paragraph (1).

(i)To be eligible for assistance under this section, an appointing institution of higher education shall pay at least 50 percent of the total costs of the appointment.

(j)There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—

(1)$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(2)$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(3)$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;

(4)$31,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;

(5)$32,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and

(6)$33,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (j)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 111–358 added pars. (4) to (6).

§16537 Distinguished scientist program

Summary

Title 42, §16537

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

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