US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 1862o

Postdoctoral research fellows

(a)

Mentoring

The Director shall require that all grant applications that include funding to support postdoctoral and graduate student researchers include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals, and shall ensure that this part of the application is evaluated under the Foundation’s broader impacts merit review criterion. The requirement may be satisfied by providing such individuals with access to mentors, including individuals not listed on the award. Mentoring activities may include career counseling, training in preparing grant applications, guidance on ways to improve teaching skills, and training in research ethics.

(b)

Reports

The Director shall require that annual reports and the final report for research grants that include funding to support postdoctoral researchers include a description of the mentoring activities provided to such researchers.

Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7008121 Stat. 680Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title III, § 10313(a)(1)(A)136 Stat. 1522(, , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the America COMPETES Act, also known as the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act, and not as part of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–1672022—Subsec. (a). inserted “and graduate student” after “postdoctoral” and “The requirement may be satisfied by providing such individuals with access to mentors, including individuals not listed on the award.” after “review criterion.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Reaffirmation of the Merit-Review Process of the National Science Foundation

Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7003121 Stat. 679

oolsection 3801 of Title 31section 1862n–2 of this titlesection 1113 of Title 31section 3718 of Title 15section 3711 of Title 15“Nothing in this title [enacting this section and sections 1862n–1a and 1862–1 to 1862–15 of this title, amending sections 1862i, 1862, 1862n, 1862n–1, 1862n–2, 1862n–5, 1863, 1870, and 1881a of this title, sections 5503 and 5511 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and , Money and Finance, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and , and amending provisions set out as a note under ] or title I [enacting sections 6603, 6619, and 6620 of this title and and amending ], or the amendments made by this title or title I, shall be interpreted to require or recommend that the Foundation—
“(1)
alter or modify its merit-review system or peer-review process; or
“(2)
exclude the awarding of any proposal by means of the merit-review or peer-review process.”
, , , provided that:

Curricula

Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7005121 Stat. 679

oolsection 3801 of Title 31section 1862n–2 of this titlesection 1113 of Title 31“Nothing in this title [enacting this section and sections 1862n–1a and 1862–1 to 1862–15 of this title, amending sections 1862i, 1862, 1862n, 1862n–1, 1862n–2, 1862n–5, 1863, 1870, and 1881a of this title, sections 5503 and 5511 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and , Money and Finance, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and , and amending provisions set out as a note under ], or the amendments made by this title, shall be construed to limit the authority of State governments or local school boards to determine the curricula of their students.”
, , , provided that:

Definitions

Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7001121 Stat. 675Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(i)(5)129 Stat. 2168

oolsection 3801 of Title 31section 1862n–2 of this titlesection 1113 of Title 31“In this title [enacting this section and sections 1862n–1a and 1862–1 to 1862–15 of this title, amending sections 1862i, 1862, 1862n, 1862n–1, 1862n–2, 1862n–5, 1863, 1870, and 1881a of this title, sections 5503 and 5511 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and , Money and Finance, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and , and amending provisions set out as a note under ]:
“(1)

Basic research .—

The term ‘basic research’ has the meaning given such term in the Office of Management and Budget circular No. A–11.
“(2)

Board .—

42 U.S.C. 1861The term ‘Board’ means the National Science Board established under section 2 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 ().
“(3)

Director .—

The term ‘Director’ means the Director of the Foundation.
“(4)

Elementary school .—

20 U.S.C. 7801The term ‘elementary school’ has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [].
“(5)

Foundation .—

The term ‘Foundation’ means the National Science Foundation.
“(6)

Institution of higher education .—

20 U.S.C. 1001(a)The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ().
“(7)

Secondary school .—

20 U.S.C. 7801The term ‘secondary school’ has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [].”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that: