US Code

Public Law 119-102 (07/12/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 1862o–12

Hispanic-serving institutions undergraduate program

Section text and notes

(a)

In general

section 1101a of title 20The Director shall award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in ) to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(b)

Program components

Grants awarded under this section shall support—
(1)
activities to improve courses and curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
(2)
faculty development;
(3)
stipends for undergraduate students participating in research; and
(4)
other activities consistent with subsection (a), as determined by the Director.
(c)

Instrumentation

Funding for instrumentation is an allowed use of grants awarded under this section.

Pub. L. 110–69, title VII, § 7033121 Stat. 711 Pub. L. 114–329, title III, § 315(a)130 Stat. 3016 (, , ; , , .)

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. 114–329section 1101a of title 202017—Subsec. (a). amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Director is authorized to establish a new program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in ) to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 114–329, title III, § 315(b)130 Stat. 3016

42 U.S.C. 1862o“The amendment made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall not affect any award of a grant or other form of financial assistance made under section 7033 of the America COMPETES Act (–12) before the date of enactment of this Act []. Such awards shall continue to be subject to the requirements to which such funds were subject under that section before the date of enactment of this Act.”
, , , provided that:

Definitions

section 7001 of Pub. L. 110–69oFor definitions of terms used in this section, see , set out as a note under section 1862 of this title.