---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16537"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16537"
heading: "Distinguished scientist program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16537"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter XVII — Protecting America’s Competitive Edge Through Energy"
---

# §16537. Distinguished scientist program

- (a) **Purpose—** The purpose of this section is to promote scientific and academic excellence through collaborations between institutions of higher education and [National Laboratories](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3).
- (b) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4) shall establish a program to support the joint appointment of distinguished scientists by institutions of higher education and [National Laboratories](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3).
- (c) **Qualifications—** To be eligible for appointment as a distinguished scientist under this section, an individual, by reason of professional background and experience, shall be able to bring international recognition to the appointing [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) or [National Laboratory](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3) in the field of scientific endeavor of the individual.
- (d) **Selection—** A distinguished scientist appointed under this section shall be selected through an open, competitive process.
- (e) **Appointment—**
  - (1) **Institution of higher education—** An appointment by an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) under this section shall be filled within the tenure allotment of the [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2), at a minimum rank of professor.
  - (2) **National Laboratory—** An appointment by a [National Laboratory](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3) under this section shall be at the rank of the highest grade of distinguished scientist or technical staff of the [National Laboratory](/usc/42/16531.md?p=3).
- (f) **Duration—** An appointment under this section shall—
  - (1) be for a term of 6 years; and
  - (2) consist of 2 3-year funding allotments.
- (g) **Use of funds—** Funds made available under this section may be used for—
  - (1) the salary of the distinguished scientist and support staff;
  - (2) undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral appointments;
  - (3) research-related equipment;
  - (4) professional travel; and
  - (5) such other requirements as the [Secretary](/usc/42/16531.md?p=4) determines to be necessary to carry out the purpose of the program.
- (h) **Review—**
  - (1) **In general—** The appointment of a distinguished scientist under this section shall be reviewed at the end of the first 3-year allotment for the distinguished scientist through an open peer-review process to determine whether the appointment is meeting the purpose of this section under [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Funding—** Funding of the appointment of the distinguished scientist for the second 3-year allotment shall be determined based on the review conducted under [paragraph (1)](#h-1).
- (i) **Cost sharing—** To be eligible for assistance under this section, an appointing [institution of higher education](/usc/42/16531.md?p=2) shall pay at least 50 percent of the total costs of the appointment.
- (j) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
  - (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
  - (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
  - (3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
  - (4) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
  - (5) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
  - (6) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–69, title V, § 5011, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 620; Pub. L. 111–358, title IX, § 902(e), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4045.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Subsec. (j)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 111–358 added pars. (4) to (6).