Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-110

§1445c–1 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

Title 16 › CHAPTER 32 — MARINE SANCTUARIES › § 1445c–1

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Commerce must create and run the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships via National Ocean Service, awarding graduate aid in marine biology, oceanography, and maritime archaeology (including curation, preservation, and display of artifacts). It honors outstanding students, especially women and minority groups, and supports independent graduate research. Awards pay for study at a sponsoring school under Secretary rules, are paid after the school approves a study plan, use 1 percent each fiscal year of funds for the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and must be repaid for fraud or noncompliance.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §1445c–1

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment
The Secretary of Commerce shall establish and administer through the National Ocean Service the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program. Under the program, the Secretary shall award graduate education scholarships in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology, including the curation, preservation, and display of maritime artifacts, to be known as “Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships”.
(b)Purpose
The purpose of the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program is to recognize outstanding scholarship in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology, particularly by women and members of minority groups, and encourage independent graduate level research in such fields of study.
(c)Award
Each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship award—
(1)shall be used to support a candidate’s graduate studies in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology at a sponsoring institution; and
(2)shall be made available to individual candidates in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary.
(d)Distribution of funds
The amount of each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship shall be provided directly to each recipient selected by the Secretary upon receipt of certification that the recipient will adhere to a specific and detailed plan of study and research approved by the sponsoring institution.
(e)Funding
The Secretary shall make 1 percent of the amount appropriated each fiscal year to carry out the National Marine Sanctuaries Act [16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.] available for Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships.
(f)Scholarship repayment requirement
Repayment of the award shall be made to the Secretary in the case of fraud or noncompliance.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Marine Sanctuaries Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is title III of Pub. L. 92–532, Oct. 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 1061, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1431 of this title and Tables. Codification For similar provisions relating to the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, see section 1445c of this title. Section was enacted as part of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, and also as part of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, and not as part of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act which comprises this chapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 1445c–1

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110