(a) Program authorized

The Secretary shall provide grants and related assistance to Tribal Colleges and Universities to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Indian students.

(b) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Indian

The term “Indian” has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 [25 U.S.C. 1801].

(2) Indian tribe

The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 [25 U.S.C. 1801].

(3) Tribal College or University

The term “Tribal College or University” means an institution that—

(A) qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or the Navajo Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a note); ¹ or

(B) is cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).

(4) Institution of higher education

The term “institution of higher education” means an institution of higher education as defined in section 1001(a) of this title, except that paragraph (2) of such section shall not apply.

(c) Authorized activities

(1) In general

Grants awarded under this section shall be used by Tribal Colleges or Universities to assist such institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and expand such institutions’ capacity to serve Indian students.

(2) Examples of authorized activities

The activities described in paragraph (1) may include—

(A) purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes;

(B) construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services, and the acquisition of real property adjacent to the campus of the institution on which to construct such facilities;

(C) support of faculty exchanges, faculty development, and faculty fellowships to assist in attaining advanced degrees in the faculty’s field of instruction or in tribal governance or tribal public policy;

(D) academic instruction in disciplines in which Indians are underrepresented and instruction in tribal governance or tribal public policy;

(E) purchase of library books, periodicals, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program material;

(F) tutoring, counseling, and student service programs designed to improve academic success;

(G) education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students or the students’ families;

(H) funds management, administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management;

(I) joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and libraries;

(J) establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from alumni and the private sector;

(K) establishing or enhancing a program of teacher education designed to qualify students to teach in elementary schools or secondary schools, with a particular emphasis on teaching Indian children and youth, that shall include, as part of such program, preparation for teacher certification;

(L) establishing community outreach programs that encourage Indian elementary school and secondary school students to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary education;

(M) developing or improving facilities for Internet use or other distance education technologies; and

(N) other activities proposed in the application submitted pursuant to subsection (d) that—

(i) contribute to carrying out the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (M); and

(ii) are approved by the Secretary as part of the review and acceptance of such application.

(3) Endowment fund

(A) In general

A Tribal College or University may use not more than 20 percent of the grant funds provided under this section to establish or increase an endowment fund at the institution.

(B) Matching requirement

In order to be eligible to use grant funds in accordance with subparagraph (A), the Tribal College or University shall provide matching funds, in an amount equal to the Federal funds used in accordance with subparagraph (A), for the establishment or increase of the endowment fund.

(C) Comparability

The provisions of part C regarding the establishment or increase of an endowment fund, that the Secretary determines are not inconsistent with this paragraph, shall apply to funds used under subparagraph (A).

(d) Application, plan, and allocation

(1) Institutional eligibility

To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, a Tribal College or University shall be an eligible institution under section 1058(b) of this title.

(2) Application

(A) In general

A Tribal College or University desiring to receive assistance under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(B) Streamlined process

The Secretary shall establish application requirements in such a manner as to simplify and streamline the process for applying for grants under this section.

(3) Awards and allocations to institutions

(A) Construction grants

(i) In general

Of the amount appropriated to carry out this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve 30 percent for the purpose of awarding one-year grants of not less than $1,000,000 to address construction, maintenance, and renovation needs at eligible institutions.

(ii) Preference

In providing grants under clause (i) for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible institutions that have not received an award under this section for a previous fiscal year.

(B) Allotment of remaining funds

(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall distribute the remaining funds appropriated for any fiscal year to each eligible institution as follows:

(I) 60 percent of the remaining appropriated funds shall be distributed among the eligible Tribal Colleges and Universities on a pro rata basis, based on the respective Indian student counts (as defined in section 2(a) of the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)) ² of the Tribal Colleges and Universities.

(II) The remaining 40 percent shall be distributed in equal shares to the eligible Tribal Colleges and Universities.

(ii) Minimum grant

The amount distributed to a Tribal College or University under clause (i) shall not be less than $500,000.

(4) Special rules

(A) Concurrent funding

No Tribal College or University that receives funds under this section shall concurrently receive funds under any other provision of this part, part B, or part A of subchapter V.

(B) Exemption

Section 1059(d) of this title shall not apply to institutions that are eligible to receive funds under this section.