---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 3914"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "3914"
heading: "Materials development and methods research for mathematics, science, and engineering"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/3914"
units:
  - "Chapter 52 — Education for Economic Security"
  - "Subchapter I — National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Education"
---

# §3914. Materials development and methods research for mathematics, science, and engineering

- (a) **Authorization to award competitive grants; covered institutions, businesses, etc.; purposes—** The [Foundation](/usc/20/3902.md?p=5) is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education, businesses, nonprofit private organizations, local education agencies, professional engineering and scientific associations, [museums](/usc/20/80r–1.md?p=3), libraries, public broadcasting entities (as defined in [section 397(11) of title 47](/usc/47/397.md?p=11)), and appropriate [State](/usc/20/3902.md?p=10) agencies—
  - (1) for instructional curriculum improvement and faculty development in mathematics, science, and engineering;
  - (2) for programs designed to enhance public understanding of mathematics, science, and engineering, including the use of public broadcasting entities; and
  - (3) for research on methods of instruction and educational programs in mathematics, science, engineering, and critical foreign languages.
- (b) **Scope of studies—** Studies conducted under [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3) may include—
  - (1) teaching and learning research and its application to local and private sector instructional materials development and to improved teacher training programs;
  - (2) research on the use of local and informal science education activities;
  - (3) research on recruitment, retention, and improvement of mathematics, science, engineering, and critical languages faculties; and
  - (4) analysis of materials and methods for mathematics, science, and engineering education used in other countries and their potential application in the United States.
- (c) **Matching grant requirements—** [Funds](/usc/20/4702.md?p=3) awarded for such competitive grants shall be expended through a system requiring matching of the grant. The minimum amount required as a match shall be equal to a percentage of the grant that is determined by the [Foundation](/usc/20/3902.md?p=5). [Funds](/usc/20/4702.md?p=3) made available for matching purposes may include in-kind services or other resources.
- (d) **Materials or methods research application requirements—** In making grant applications for materials or methods research for the purposes described in subsections [(a)(1)](#a-1) and [(a)(3)](#a-3), the [Foundation](/usc/20/3902.md?p=5) shall assure the involvement of appropriate [State](/usc/20/3902.md?p=10) or local education agencies in the case of applications submitted by other entities described in [subsection (a)](#a), or that one or more of such other entities will be consulted in the case of applications submitted by [State](/usc/20/3902.md?p=10) or local education agencies.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 104, as added Pub. L. 99–159, title II, § 201, Nov. 22, 1985, 99 Stat. 895.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3914, Pub. L. 98–377, title I, § 114, Aug. 11, 1984, 98 Stat. 1269, related to cooperation with business concerns, prior to the general revision of this subchapter by section 201 of Pub. L. 99–159. See section 3913(c) of this title.