Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73not60

§19174 Nist Engagement with Rural Communities

Title 42 › Chapter 163— RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, COMPETITION, AND INNOVATION › Subchapter V— BROADENING PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCE › Part B— Rural STEM Education Research › § 19174

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Commerce must run a prize competition under section 3719 of title 15 to encourage new tech for affordable, reliable broadband in rural and unserved rural communities. Each entry must include a plan for how the technology would be deployed. Total awards may not exceed $5,000,000. Within 60 days after a prize is given, the Secretary must send a report to the relevant committees of Congress describing the winning proposal. The Secretary must also consult the FCC and the heads of other relevant federal departments and agencies while running the program.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §19174

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

(a)Pursuant to section 3719 of title 15, the Secretary of Commerce shall carry out a program to award prizes competitively to stimulate research and development of creative technologies to support the deployment of affordable and reliable broadband connectivity in rural communities, including unserved rural communities.

(b)Each proposal submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall include a proposed plan for deployment of the technology that is the subject of such proposal.

(c)In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary may award not more than a total of $5,000,000 to one or more winners of the prize competition.

(d)Not later than 60 days after the date on which a prize is awarded under the prize competition, the Secretary shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes the winning proposal of the prize competition.

(e)In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Federal Communications Commission and the heads of relevant departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 19174

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60