Sec. 3. Fusion education and skilled technical workforce activities

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The Director, in coordination, and as appropriate, in collaboration, with the Secretary, may make awards to institutions of higher education, including junior and community colleges, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, or consortia thereof, for research, development, and related activities to advance innovative approaches to developing, improving, and expanding education and workforce development (including supporting the retention, development, and growth of a diverse and sustainable workforce for fusion related fields to satisfy the evolving needs of industry, academia, National Laboratories, and Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments) activities and learning experiences at all levels of education in fields and disciplines related to fusion.

Awards made under this section shall be used to support activities and learning experiences referred to in paragraph (1), including the following: Development of industry-oriented curricula, teaching modules, and stackable credentials for topics relevant to fusion, including such curricula, teaching modules, and stackable credentials that provide meaningful hands-on learning experiences. Development and implementation of training, research, and professional development programs for teachers, including innovative pre-service and in-service programs, in fusion and related fields.

Identification of critical skills and core competencies required for the successful commercial application of fusion technologies. Support for learning activities and experiences that provide physical, simulated, or remote access to National Laboratories, Federal training facilities, and industry-standard processes and tools, including equipment and software tools for both traditional and nontraditional students. Increasing the integration of fusion content into STEM curricula at all education levels.

Growing academic research capacity in fusion by incentivizing the hiring and retention of faculty in fields critical to fusion sciences and engineering. Support for innovative industry pathway programs that connect PreK–12 schools, junior or community colleges, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and institutions of higher education programs or programs that serve or support veterans. Providing informal hands-on learning opportunities relating to fusion sciences and engineering for PreK–12 students in different learning environments, including regional and national competitions.

Support for STEM programs for the skilled technical workforce that are aligned with the needs the fusion industry workforce, including internships and other hands-on activities in industry. Support for research and evaluation of the activities described in subparagraphs

(A)through

(H)to identify successful programs and resources. The Director shall seek to increase opportunities for fusion research for students and trainees at all levels by encouraging the following: Research experiences for undergraduates pursuant to section 514 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 1862p–6 ). Postdoctoral fellowship programs established pursuant to section 522 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 ( 42 U.S.C. 1862p–11 ). Graduate fellowships, traineeships, and other training opportunities established pursuant to section 10 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 ( 42 U.S.C. 1869 ). Informal STEM education programs established pursuant to section 3 of the STEM Education Act of 2015 ( 42 U.S.C. 1862q ). The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program established pursuant to section 10 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 ( 42 U.S.C. 1862n–1 ). Major research instrumentation programs established pursuant to section 7036 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1862o–14 ). The low-income scholar program established pursuant to section 414(d) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 1869c ). In carrying out this subsection, the Director may leverage existing programs of the National Science Foundation. In carrying out this subsection, the Director shall encourage awardees to partner with nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, industry, and other private sector organizations. The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Science, in coordination, and as appropriate, in collaboration, with the Director of National Science Foundation, may make awards to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, National Laboratories, or consortia thereof, for research, development, and related activities to advance innovative approaches to developing, improving, and expanding education and workforce development activities and learning experiences at all levels of education in fields and disciplines related to fusion. Awards made under this section shall be used to support activities, such as the following: Internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, traineeships, and other research or work-based learning opportunities relating to fusion. Educational programming for students at all levels, especially experiential and project-based learning opportunities relating to fusion. The acquisition, development, and maintenance of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities essential for fusion research and workforce development, including the following: Purchasing advanced instrumentation and equipment to support experimental and computational fusion research. Renovating and modernizing laboratory and teaching facilities to satisfy the evolving requirements of fusion science. Funding ongoing maintenance and calibration of critical equipment to ensure operational readiness. Professional development opportunities for educators and researchers relating to fusion. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may leverage existing programs of the Department of Energy. The Director, in consultation with the Secretary, may implement one or more pilot programs to award grants to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or consortia thereof, to establish short-term appointments for professionals from the private sector, to educate students on fusion sciences and engineering or related skills required for the fusion industry. An institution may use grant funds awarded under this subsection for the following: Paying a stipend or living expenses for short-term instructors who are industry professionals referred to in paragraph (1). Training of industry professionals in relevant pedagogical or teaching methods. Developing or updating course materials. Administrative costs related to recruiting or on-boarding instructors. Subject to paragraph (5), a pilot program under paragraph

(1)shall be for not more than three years. The Director may extend the period specified in paragraph

(4)if the Director determines it is feasible and advisable to do so. To increase the diversity of participants in a pilot program under paragraph (1), the Director shall support symposia, forums, conferences, or other activities to expand and enhance outreach to the following: Junior or community colleges. Hispanic-serving institutions. Historically Black colleges and universities. Tribal Colleges or Universities. Minority-serving institutions. Institutions of higher education that are located near or serve rural communities, including EPSCoR institutions. Other institutions of higher education.

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