“(a) In general.—The Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Consortium established pursuant to subsection (f), may make awards on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities to support the implementation of new and expansion of existing biotechnology education for secondary school students, including such education in informal learning environments.

“(b) Applications.—An eligible entity that seeks an award under subsection (a) shall submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.

“(c) Use of funds.—An award under subsection (a) may be utilized for any of the following purposes:

“(1) Professional development and training in biotechnology education for teachers of secondary school students, including with respect to the following:

“(A) Education instruction in a laboratory setting.

“(B) Curriculum design.

“(C) Pedagogy.

“(2) Development and distribution of curricula and instructional materials related to biotechnology education.

“(3) Acquisition of laboratory and instructional equipment for biotechnology education.

“(4) Establishment of partnerships between institutions of higher education, private sector entities, and eligible nonprofit organizations to facilitate biotechnology education.

“(5) Development of transferrable and stackable biotechnololgy credentials for such students.

“(6) Any other purpose the Director determines appropriate.

“(d) Priority.—The Director may prioritize awards under subsection (a) to eligible entities that demonstrate a need for, or limited access to, educational resources relating to biotechnology education.

“(e) Other activities.—The Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Consortium established pursuant to subsection (f), may carry out the following:

“(1) Support coordination between Federal, State, and local efforts regarding the implementation of new and expansion of existing biotechnology education programs for secondary school students.

“(2) Promote collaboration between public sector entities and private sector entities regarding such implementation and expansion.

“(3) Identify and share best practices regarding such implementation and expansion.

“(4) Support professional development and training referred to in subsection (c)(1) by means other than an award under subsection (a).

“(5) Facilitate access to curricula, resources, and digital learning tools with respect to such programs.

“(f) National Biotechnology Education Consortium.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish a consortium, to be known as the ‘National Biotechnology Education Consortium’ (in this section referred to as the ‘Consortium’), to provide support and recommendations to the Director with respect to biotechnology education programs for secondary school students.

“(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Consortium shall be composed of not fewer than six members. The Director shall seek to appoint members of the Consortium from the following:

“(A) Relevant Federal departments or agencies.

“(B) Eligible entities.

“(C) Stakeholders in biotechnology.

“(3) SUNSET.—The Consortium shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date on which the Consortium is established under paragraph (1).

“(g) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means any of the following entities:

“(A) A State educational agency (as such term is defined in section 4 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note)).

“(B) A local educational agency (as such term is defined in such section).

“(C) An institution of higher education.

“(D) An eligible nonprofit organization (as such term is defined in such section).

“(E) A consortium of any of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).

“(2) SECONDARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘secondary school’ has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).”.