42 U.S.C. § 16537 — Distinguished scientist program

(a) Purpose: This section aims to promote scientific and academic excellence through collaborations between colleges and National Laboratories. (b) Establishment: The Secretary must establish a program supporting the joint appointment of distinguished scientists by colleges and National Laboratories. (c) Qualifications: To be appointed a distinguished scientist, a person's professional background and experience must be able to bring international recognition to the appointing college or National Laboratory in their scientific field. (d) Selection: A distinguished scientist is selected through an open, competitive process. (e) Appointment: (1) Institution of higher education: A college appointment must be filled within the college's own tenure system, at least at the rank of professor. (2) National Laboratory: A National Laboratory appointment must be at the Laboratory's highest rank of distinguished scientist or technical staff. (f) Duration: An appointment must: (1) last 6 years; and (2) consist of 2 funding periods of 3 years each. (g) Use of funds: Program funds may be used for: (1) the scientist's salary and support staff; (2) undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral appointments; (3) research-related equipment; (4) professional travel; and (5) other things the Secretary determines are necessary for the program's purpose. (h) Review: (1) In general: At the end of the first 3-year funding period, an open peer-review process must check whether the appointment is meeting this section's purpose in (a). (2) Funding: Whether the second 3-year period is funded depends on that review. (i) Cost sharing: To be eligible, the appointing college must pay at least 50 percent of the appointment's total cost. (j) Authorization of appropriations: Congress may provide: (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; (3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; (4) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; (5) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and (6) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.