42 U.S.C. § 1885c — Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering

(a) Establishment; purposes There is established within the Foundation a Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”). The Committee must provide advice to the Foundation concerning (1) the implementation of the provisions of sections 1885 to 1885d of this title and (2) other policies and activities of the Foundation to encourage full participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in scientific, engineering, and professional fields. (b) Membership; Chairperson; term of members Each member of the Committee must be appointed by the Director. In addition, the Chairman of the National Science Board may designate a member of the Board as a member of the Committee. Members of the Committee must be appointed to serve for a three-year term, and may be reappointed to serve one additional term of three years. (c) Responsibilities of Committee The Committee must be responsible for reviewing and evaluating all Foundation matters relating to opportunities for the participation in, and the advancement of, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in education, training, and science and engineering research programs. (d) Standing or ad hoc subcommittees The Committee may organize that standing or ad hoc subcommittees as the Committee finds appropriate. (e) Biennial report Every 2 years, the Committee must prepare and submit to the Director a report on its activities during the previous 2 years and proposed activities for the next 2 years. The Director must submit to Congress the report, unaltered, together with that comments as the Director considers appropriate, including— (1) review data on the participation in Foundation activities of institutions serving populations that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, and tribal populations; and (2) recommendations regarding how the Foundation could improve outreach and inclusion of these populations in Foundation activities.