Sec. 404. Centers of excellence in foreign affairs and assistance
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The purposes of this section are— to advance the values and interests of the United States overseas through programs that foster innovation, competitiveness, and a diversity of backgrounds, views, and experience in the formulation and implementation of United States foreign policy and assistance; and to create opportunities for specialized research, education, training, professional development, and leadership opportunities for historically under-represented populations within the Department and USAID.
The Secretary shall conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing Centers of Excellence in Foreign Affairs and Assistance (referred to in this section as the Centers of Excellence ) within institutions that serve historically underrepresented populations to focus on 1 or more of the areas described in paragraph (2). In conducting the study required under paragraph (1), the Secretary, respectively, shall consider— opportunities to enter into public-private partnerships that will— increase diversity in foreign affairs and foreign assistance Federal careers; prepare a diverse cadre of students (including nontraditional, mid-career, part-time, and heritage students) and nonprofit or business professionals with the skills and education needed to meaningfully contribute to the formulation and execution of United States foreign policy and assistance; support the conduct of research, education, and extension programs that reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views of world regions and international affairs— to assist in the development of regional and functional foreign policy skills; to strengthen international development and humanitarian assistance programs; and to strengthen democratic institutions and processes in policymaking, including supporting public policies that engender equitable and inclusive societies and focus on challenges and inequalities in education, health, wealth, justice, and other sectors faced by diverse communities; enable domestic and international educational, internship, fellowship, faculty exchange, training, employment or other innovative programs to acquire or strengthen knowledge of foreign languages, cultures, societies, and international skills and perspectives; support collaboration among institutions of higher education, including community colleges, nonprofit organizations, and corporations, to strengthen the engagement between experts and specialists in the foreign affairs and foreign assistance fields; and leverage additional public-private partnerships with nonprofit organizations, foundations, corporations, institutions of higher education, and the Federal Government; and budget and staffing requirements, including appropriate sources of funding, for the establishment and conduct of operations of such Centers of Excellence.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that contains the findings of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (b).