42 U.S.C. § 16533 — Hydrocarbon systems science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education

(a) Purposes: This section aims to: (1) address the decline in the number of, and resources available to, hydrocarbon systems science programs at colleges; and (2) increase the number of graduates with hydrocarbon systems science degrees, a field important to U.S. economic competitiveness and energy security.

(b) Definition of hydrocarbon systems science: (1) In general: "Hydrocarbon systems science" means science involving natural gas or other petroleum exploration, development, or production. (2) Inclusions: It includes: (A) petroleum or reservoir engineering; (B) environmental geoscience; (C) petrophysics; (D) geophysics; (E) geochemistry; (F) petroleum geology; (G) ocean engineering; (H) environmental engineering; (I) computer science, as it relates to these fields; and (J) hydrocarbon spill response and remediation.

(c) Establishment: The Secretary^* must establish, following this section, a program to expand and improve colleges' hydrocarbon systems science teaching capacity.

(d) Hydrocarbon systems science program expansion grants: (1) In general: Each fiscal year, the Secretary must award up to 3 competitive grants to colleges starting new academic degree programs in hydrocarbon systems science. (2) Eligibility: The Secretary must favor proposals partnering with National Laboratories, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory, or other qualifying hydrocarbon systems science entities. (3) Criteria: Grants are judged on: (A) the potential to attract new students; (B) academic rigor; and (C) the ability to offer hands-on learning. (4) Duration and amount: (A) A grant can last up to 5 years. (B) A college can receive up to $1,000,000 per year of the grant. (5) Use of funds: A grant recipient may use the money to: (A) recruit and retain new faculty; (B) develop core and specialized course content; (C) encourage collaboration between faculty and researchers; and (D) support outreach to recruit students.

(e) Hydrocarbon systems science competitiveness grants: (1) In general: Each fiscal year, the Secretary must award up to 5 competitive grants to colleges with existing hydrocarbon systems science degree programs. (2) Criteria: Grants are judged on their potential to increase the number and academic quality of graduates entering careers in natural gas and petroleum exploration, development, and production. (3) Duration and amount: (A) A grant can last up to 5 years. (B) A college can receive up to $500,000 per year of the grant. (4) Use of funds: A grant recipient may use the money to: (A) increase the number of graduates entering these fields; (B) enhance teaching of advanced natural gas and petroleum technology; (C) pursue collaboration with industry and the National Laboratories, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory; (D) support or sustain related infrastructure and research facilities, such as research and training laboratories; and (E) provide tuition assistance and stipends to students.

(f) Authorization of appropriations: (1) For the expansion grants in (d): $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; $9,800,000 for fiscal year 2011; $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and $10,400,000 for fiscal year 2013. (2) For the competitiveness grants in (e): $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. This subsection authorizes funding for the competitiveness grants only through fiscal year 2010.