TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM.

SEC. 525. TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM.(a) In General.—The Director shall continue to support a program to award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to tribal colleges and universities (as defined in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c), including institutions described in section 317 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059d), to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at such institutions and to increase the retention and graduation rates of Native American students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in STEM.(b) Program Components.—Grants awarded under this section shall support—(1) activities to improve courses and curriculum in STEM;(2) faculty development;(3) stipends for undergraduate students participating in research; and(4) other activities consistent with subsection (a), as determined by the Director.(c) Instrumentation.—Funding provided under this section may be used for laboratory equipment and materials.