---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6481"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6481"
heading: "Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6481"
units:
  - "Chapter 83A — Coral Reef Conservation, Management, and Assistance"
  - "Subchapter III — Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship"
---

# §6481. Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Alaska Native Corporation—** The term “[Alaska Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) Corporation” has the meaning given the term “[Native Corporation](/usc/16/3102.md?p=6)” in [section 1602 of title 43](/usc/43/1602.md).
  - (2) **Fellow—** The term “fellow” means a National [Coral Reef](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Management Fellow.
  - (3) **Fellowship—** The term “fellowship” means the National [Coral Reef](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Management Fellowship established in [subsection (c)](#c).
  - (4) **Covered Native entity—** The term “covered [Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) entity” has the meaning given the term in [section 6415 of this title](/usc/16/6415.md), as added by this division.
  - (5) **Covered State—** The term “[covered State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2)” has the meaning given the term in [section 6415 of this title](/usc/16/6415.md), as added by this division.
  - (6) **Native entity—** The term “[Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) entity” has the meaning given the term in [section 6415 of this title](/usc/16/6415.md), as added by this division.
  - (7) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1)” means the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Commerce.
- (b) **Establishment of fellowship program—**
  - (1) **In general—** There is established a National [Coral Reef](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Management Fellowship Program.
  - (2) **Purposes—** The purposes of the fellowship are—
    - (A) to encourage future leaders of the United States to develop additional [coral reef](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) management capacity in [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) and local communities with [coral reefs](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2);
    - (B) to provide management agencies of [covered States](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) and covered [Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) entities with highly qualified candidates whose education and work experience meet the specific needs of each [covered State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) or covered [Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) entity; and
    - (C) to provide fellows with professional experience in management of coastal and [coral reef](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) resources.
- (c) **Fellowship awards—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, shall award a fellowship in accordance with this subsection.
  - (2) **Term of fellowship—** A fellowship awarded under this subsection shall be for a term of not more than 2 years.
  - (3) **Qualifications—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, shall award a fellowship to individuals who have demonstrated—
    - (A) an intent to pursue a career in marine services and outstanding potential for such a career;
    - (B) leadership potential, actual leadership experience, or both;
    - (C) possession of a college or graduate degree in biological science, a college or graduate degree in resource management with experience that correlates with aptitude and interest for marine management, or both;
    - (D) proficient writing and speaking skills; and
    - (E) such other attributes as the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, considers appropriate.
- (d) **Matching requirement—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#d-2), the non-Federal share of the costs of a fellowship under this section shall be 25 percent of such costs.
  - (2) **Waiver of matching requirement—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may waive the application of [paragraph (1)](#d-1) to a fellowship if the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) finds that such waiver is necessary to support a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) has identified as a high priority.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10031, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3955.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This division, referred to in subsec. (a)(4) to (6), is div. J of Pub. L. 117–263, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3930. For complete classification of div. J to the Code, see Tables.