16 U.S.C. § 1445c–1 — Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

(a) Establishment The Secretary of Commerce must establish and administer through the National Ocean Service the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program. Under the program, the Secretary must 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) must be used to support a candidate’s graduate studies in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology at a sponsoring institution; and (2) must be made available to individual candidates under guidelines issued by the Secretary. (d) Distribution of funds The amount of each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship must 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 must 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 must be made to the Secretary for fraud or noncompliance.