PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH CYBER INSTITUTES AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

SEC. 1640. [10 U.S.C. 2200 note] PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH CYBER INSTITUTES AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING. (a) Program Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense may carry out a program to establish a Cyber Institute at institutions of higher learning selected under subsection (b) for purposes of accelerating and focusing the development of foundational expertise in critical cyber operational skills for future military and civilian leaders of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense, including such leaders of the reserve components. (b) Selected Institutions of Higher Learning.— (1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense shall select institutions of higher learning for purposes of the program established under subsection (a) from among institutions of higher learning that have a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. (2) Consideration of senior military colleges.—In selecting institutions of higher learning under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the senior military colleges with Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs. (c) Elements.—Each institute established under the program authorized by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) Programs to provide future military and civilian leaders of the Armed Forces or the Department of Defense who possess cyber operational expertise from beginning through advanced skill levels. Such programs shall include instruction and practical experiences that lead to recognized certifications and degrees in the cyber field. (2) Programs of targeted strategic foreign language proficiency training for such future leaders that— (A) are designed to significantly enhance critical cyber operational capabilities; and (B) are tailored to current and anticipated readiness requirements. (3) Programs related to mathematical foundations of cryptography and courses in cryptographic theory and practice designed to complement and reinforce cyber education along with the strategic language programs critical to cyber operations. (4) Programs related to data science and courses in data science theory and practice designed to complement and reinforce cyber education along with the strategic language programs critical to cyber operations. (5) Programs designed to develop early interest and cyber talent through summer programs, dual enrollment opportunities for cyber, strategic language, data science, and cryptography related courses. (6) Training and education programs to expand the pool of qualified cyber instructors necessary to support cyber education in regional school systems. (d) Partnerships With Department of Defense and the Armed Forces.—Any institute established under the program authorized by subsection (a) may enter into a partnership with one or more components of the Armed Forces, active or reserve, or any agency of the Department of Defense to facilitate the development of critical cyber skills for students who may pursue a military career. (e) Partnerships.—Any institute established under the program authorized by subsection (a) may enter into a partnership with one or more local educational agencies to facilitate the development of critical cyber skills. (f) Senior Military Colleges Defined.—The term “senior military colleges” has the meaning given such term in section 2111a(f) of title 10, United States Code. (g) Report to Congress.—Not later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the Cyber Institutes and on opportunities to expand the Cyber Institutes to additional select institutions of higher learning that have a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. (h) Discharge Through Director.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense shall act through the Director of the office established under section 2192c of title 10, United States Code.