ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO SUPPORT SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION.

SEC. 233. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO SUPPORT SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. Section 2192 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):“(b)(1) In furtherance of the authority of the Secretary of Defense under any provision of this chapter or any other provision of law to support educational programs in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, the Secretary of Defense may, unless otherwise specified in such provision—“(A) enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with eligible entities;“(B) make grants of financial assistance to eligible entities;“(C) provide cash awards and other items to eligible entities;“(D) accept voluntary services from eligible entities; and“(E) support national competition judging, other educational event activities, and associated award ceremonies in connection with these educational programs.“(2) In this subsection:“(A) The term ‘eligible entity’ includes a department or agency of the Federal Government, a State, a political subdivision of a State, an individual, and a not-for-profit or other organization in the private sector.“(B) The term ‘State’ means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the United States.”.