text: SECTION 1. MODELING AND SIMULATION PROGRAMS.
  
      The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is 
  amended by adding at the end the following new title:
  
                     ``TITLE VIII--ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
  
  ``SEC. 801. MODELING AND SIMULATION PROGRAMS.
  
      ``(a) Purpose; Definition.--
              ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote 
          the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher 
          education, through the collaboration with new and existing 
          programs, and specifically to promote the use of technology in 
          such study through the creation of accurate models that can 
          simulate processes or recreate real life, by--
                      ``(A) establishing a task force at the Department 
                  of Education to raise awareness of and define the study 
                  of modeling and simulation;
                      ``(B) provide grants to institutions of higher 
                  education to develop new modeling and simulation degree 
                  programs; and
                      ``(C) create grants for institutions of higher 
                  education to enhance existing modeling and simulation 
                  degree programs.
              ``(2) Definition.--In this section, the term `modeling and 
          simulation' means a field of study related to the application 
          of computer science and mathematics to develop a level of 
          understanding of the interaction of the parts of a system and 
          of a system as a whole.
      ``(b) Establishment of Taskforce.--
              ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
          appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a taskforce 
          within the Department of Education to study modeling and 
          simulation and to support the development of the modeling and 
          simulation field. The activities of such taskforce shall 
          include--
                      ``(A) helping to define the study of modeling and 
                  simulation (including the content of modeling and 
                  simulation classes and programs);
                      ``(B) identifying best practices for such study;
                      ``(C) identifying core knowledge and skills that 
                  individuals who participate in modeling and simulation 
                  programs should aquire; and
                      ``(D) providing recommendations to the Secretary 
                  with respect to--
                              ``(i) the information described in 
                          subparagraphs (A) through (C); and
                              ``(ii) a system by which grants under this 
                          section will be distributed.
              ``(2) Taskforce membership.--The membership of the 
          taskforce under this subsection shall be composed of 
          representatives from--
                      ``(A) institutions of higher education with 
                  established modeling and simulation degree programs;
                      ``(B) the National Science Foundation;
                      ``(C) Federal Government agencies that use modeling 
                  and simulation extensively, including the Department of 
                  Defense, the National Institute of Health, the 
                  Department of Homeland Security, the Department of 
                  Health and Human Services, the Department of Energy, 
                  and the Department of Transportation;
                      ``(D) private industries with a primary focus on 
                  modeling and simulation; and
                      ``(E) national modeling and simulation 
                  organizations.
      ``(c) Enhancing Modeling and Simulation at Institutions of Higher 
  Education.--
              ``(1) Enhancement grants authorized.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to 
                  award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
                  institutions to enhance modeling and simulation degree 
                  programs at such eligible institutions.
                      ``(B) Duration of grant.--A grant awarded under 
                  this subsection shall be awarded for a 3-year period, 
                  and such grant period may be extended for not more than 
                  2 years if the Secretary determines that an eligible 
                  institution has demonstrated success in enhancing the 
                  modeling and simulation degree program at such eligible 
                  institution.
                      ``(C) Minimum grant amount.--Subject to the 
                  availability of appropriations, a grant awarded to an 
                  eligible institution under this subsection shall not be 
                  for an amount less than $750,000.
                      ``(D) Non-federal share.--Each eligible institution 
                  receiving a grant under this subsection shall provide, 
                  from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, an amount 
                  equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant to carry 
                  out the activities supported by the grant. The 
                  Secretary may waive the non-Federal share requirement 
                  under this subparagraph for an eligible institution if 
                  the Secretary determines a waiver to be appropriate 
                  based on the financial ability of the institution.
              ``(2) Eligible institutions.--For the purposes of this 
          subsection, an eligible institution is an institution of higher 
          education that--
                      ``(A) has an established modeling and simulation 
                  degree program, including a major, minor, or career-
                  track program; or
                      ``(B) has an established modeling and simulation 
                  certifcate or concentration program.
              ``(3) Application.--To be considered for a grant under this 
          subsection, an eligible institution shall submit to the 
          Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
          containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such 
          application shall include--
                      ``(A) a letter from the President or provost of the 
                  eligible institution that demonstrates the 
                  institution's commitment to the enhancement of the 
                  modeling and simulation program at the institution of 
                  higher education;
                      ``(B) identification of designated faculty 
                  responsible for the enhancement of the institution's 
                  modeling and simulation program; and
                      ``(C) a detailed plan for how the grant funds will 
                  be used to enhance the modeling and simulation program 
                  of the institution.
              ``(4) Uses of funds.--A grant awarded under this subsection 
          shall be used by an eligible institution to carry out the plan 
          developed in accordance with paragraph (3)(C) to enhance 
          modeling and simulation programs at the institution, which may 
          include--
                      ``(A) in the case of an institution that is 
                  eligible under paragraph (2)(B), activities to assist 
                  in the establishment of a major, minor, or career-track 
                  modeling and simulation program at the eligible 
                  institution;
                      ``(B) expanding the multi-disciplinary nature of 
                  the institution's modeling and simulation programs;
                      ``(C) recruiting students into the field of 
                  modeling and simulation through the provision of 
                  fellowships or assistantships;
                      ``(D) creating new courses to compliment existing 
                  courses and reflect emerging developments in the 
                  modeling and simulation field;
                      ``(E) conducting research to support new 
                  methodologies and techniques in modeling and 
                  simulation; and
                      ``(F) purchasing equipment necessary for modeling 
                  and simulation programs.
      ``(d) Establishing Modeling and Simulation Programs.--
              ``(1) Establishment grants authorized.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to 
                  award grants to institutions of higher education to 
                  establish a modeling and simulation program, including 
                  a major, minor, career-track, certificate, or 
                  concentration program.
                      ``(B) Duration of grant.--A grant awarded under 
                  this subsection shall be awarded for a 3-year period, 
                  and such grant period may be extended for not more than 
                  2 years if the Secretary determines that an eligible 
                  institution has demonstrated success in establishing a 
                  modeling and simulation degree program at such eligible 
                  institution.
                      ``(C) Minimum grant amount.--Subject to the 
                  availability of appropriations, a grant awarded to an 
                  eligible institution under this subsection shall not be 
                  for an amount less than $750,000.
                      ``(D) Non-federal share.--Each eligible institution 
                  receiving a grant under this subsection shall provide, 
                  from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, an amount 
                  equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant to carry 
                  out the activities supported by the grant. The 
                  Secretary may waive the non-Federal share requirement 
                  under this subparagraph for an eligible institution if 
                  the Secretary determines a waiver to be appropriate 
                  based on the financial ability of the institution.
              ``(2) Application.--To apply for a grant under this 
          subsection, an eligible institution shall submit to the 
          Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
          containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such 
          application shall include--
                      ``(A) a letter from the President or provost of the 
                  eligible institution that demonstrates the 
                  institution's commitment to the establishment of a 
                  modeling and simulation program at the institution of 
                  higher education;
                      ``(B) a detailed plan for how the grant funds will 
                  be used to establish a modeling and simulation program 
                  at the institution; and
                      ``(C) a description of how the modeling and 
                  simulation program established under this subsection 
                  will complement existing programs and fit into the 
                  institution's current program and course offerings.
              ``(3) Uses of funds.--A grant awarded under this subsection 
          may be used by an eligible institution to--
                      ``(A) establish, or work toward the establishment 
                  of, a modeling and simulation program, including a 
                  major, minor, career-track, certificate, or 
                  concentration program at the eligible institution;
                      ``(B) provide adequate staffing to ensure the 
                  successful establishment of the modeling and simulation 
                  program, which may include the assignment of full-time 
                  dedicated or supportive faculty; and
                      ``(C) purchasing equipment necessary for a modeling 
                  and simulation program.
      ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
  appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 
  and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
  years. Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal 
  year--
              ``(1) $1,000,000 is authorized to carry out the activities 
          of the task force established pursuant to subsection (b); and
              ``(2) of the amount remaining after the allocation for 
          paragraph (1)--
                      ``(A) 50 percent is authorized to carry out the 
                  grant program under subsection (c); and
                      ``(B) 50 percent is authorized to carry out the 
                  grant program under subsection (d).''.
target: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a taskforce within the Department of Education to recommend improvements to the study of modeling and simulation, and identify the core capacities that students in such programs should acquire.
  
  Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) for the enhancement of their existing modeling and simulation programs; and (2) grants to IHEs for the establishment of such programs. Requires grantees to raise, from nonfederal sources, an amount equal to 25% of their grants.
feat_title: To provide grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher education.