ESTABLISHMENT AND TERMS OF SILVIO O. CONTE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT AND TERMS OF SILVIO O. CONTE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. (a) In General.—In recognition of Silvio O. Conte’s longstanding contribution and devotion to the conservation of our Nation’s natural resources, and his life-long commitment to education, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, hereinafter referred to as the Director, is authorized to enter into an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, hereinafter referred to as the Foundation, and the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, hereinafter referred to as the University, to establish the Silvio O. Conte Memorial Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the agreement is to encourage students to enter the fields of fisheries and wildlife ecology and conservation, natural resources policy and administration, or ecology by establishing a scholarship fund at the University. (b) Terms Of Agreement.—Notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301–6308), the agreement authorized under subsection (a) of this section shall direct that the University shall— (1) establish the Silvio O. Conte Memorial Scholarship Fund for the purpose of awarding scholarships for a period not exceeding three years to eligible candidates in advanced degree programs in the fields of fisheries and wildlife ecology and conservation, natural resources policy and administration, or ecology; (2) invest funds provided by the Director, the Foundation and any other contributors in interest-bearing accounts; (3) award scholarships annually utilizing the interest generated from such investment accounts minus the amount equal to inflation; (4) match the scholarship awards with in-kind contributions of equal value, such as waivers of tuition or fees or the provision of other financial aid; (5) establish eligibility criteria based upon financial needs, academic achievement, and potential contribution of the profession; (6) announce the availability of the scholarship in a manner which ensures that it is widely distributed and that minority and socially-disadvantaged candidates are made aware of the opportunity; 105 STAT. 1660 (7) upon request by the Director, make available the investment accounts for his inspection; and (8) prepare and provide to the Director annually a report regarding the expenditures from the investment accounts which shall include the number of scholarships awarded, the amount of each scholarship, and the share of each scholarship provided by the University. (c) Authorization.—The Director is authorized to make a onetime contribution of up to $50,000 to the University to establish the Silvio O. Conte Memorial Scholarship Fund. (d) Termination of Agreement.—At such time as the parties agree to terminate the agreement authorized under subsection (a) of this section, the principle and interest in the account shall be deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.