---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 294c"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "294c"
heading: "Education and training relating to geriatrics"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/294c"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter V — Health Professions Education"
  - "Part D — Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages"
---

# §294c. Education and training relating to geriatrics

- (a) **Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection to entities described in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of [section 295p of this title](/usc/42/295p.md), [section 296(2) of this title](/usc/42/296.md?p=2), or [section 298(d) of this title](/usc/42/298.md?p=d), or other health professions [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) approved by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), for the establishment or operation of Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement [Programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that meet the requirements of [paragraph (2)](#a-2).
  - (2) **Requirements—**
    - (A) **In general—** A Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) receiving an award under this section shall support the training of health professionals in geriatrics, including traineeships or fellowships. Such [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) shall emphasize, as appropriate, patient and family engagement, integration of geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties, and collaboration with community partners to address gaps in health care for older adults.
    - (B) **Activities—** Activities conducted by a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section may include the following:
      - (i) Clinical training on providing integrated geriatrics and primary care delivery [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
      - (ii) Interprofessional training to practitioners from multiple disciplines and specialties, including training on the provision of care to older adults.
      - (iii) Establishing or maintaining training-related community-based [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for older adults and caregivers to improve health outcomes for older adults.
      - (iv) Providing education on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to families and caregivers of older adults, direct care workers, and health professions students, faculty, and [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8).
  - (3) **Duration—** Each grant, contract, or cooperative agreement or contract awarded under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall be for a period not to exceed 5 years.
  - (4) **Applications—** To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), an entity described in such paragraph shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require.
  - (5) **Program requirements—**
    - (A) **In general—** In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c)—
      - (i) shall give priority to [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that demonstrate coordination with another Federal or [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) or another public or private entity;
      - (ii) shall give priority to applicants with [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) or activities that are expected to substantially benefit rural or [medically underserved populations](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=14) of older adults, or serve older adults in Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations; and
      - (iii) may give priority to any [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that—
        - (I) integrates geriatrics into primary care practice;
        - (II) provides training to integrate geriatric care into other specialties across care settings, including practicing clinical specialists, health care [administrators](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), faculty without backgrounds in geriatrics, and students from all health professions;
        - (III) emphasizes integration of geriatric care into existing [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) delivery locations and care across settings, including primary care clinics, medical homes, Federally qualified health centers, ambulatory care clinics, critical access [hospitals](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=1), emergency care, assisted living and nursing facilities, and home- and community-based [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), which may include adult daycare;
        - (IV) supports the training and retraining of faculty, primary care [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8), other direct care [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8), and other appropriate professionals on geriatrics;
        - (V) emphasizes education and engagement of family caregivers on disease management and strategies to meet the needs of caregivers of older adults; or
        - (VI) proposes to conduct outreach to communities that have a shortage of geriatric workforce professionals.
    - (B) **Special consideration—** In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall give special consideration to entities that provide [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) in areas with a shortage of geriatric workforce professionals.
  - (6) **Priority—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may provide awardees with additional support for activities in areas of demonstrated need, which may include education and training for home health workers, family caregivers, and direct care workers on care for older adults.
  - (7) **Reporting—**
    - (A) **Reports from entities—** Each entity awarded a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit an annual report to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) on the activities conducted under such grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, which may include information on the number of trainees, the number of professions and disciplines, the number of partnerships with health care delivery sites, the number of faculty and practicing professionals who participated in such [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), and other information, as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require.
    - (B) **Report to Congress—** Not later than 4 years after March 27, 2020, and every 5 years thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that provides a summary of the activities and outcomes associated with grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements made under this section. Such reports shall include—
      - (i) information on the number of trainees, faculty, and professionals who participated in [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section;
      - (ii) information on the impact of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) conducted under this section on the health status of older adults, including in areas with a shortage of health professionals; and
      - (iii) information on outreach and education provided under this section to families and caregivers of older adults.
    - (C) **Public availability—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall make reports submitted under paragraph (B) publically available on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
- (b) **Geriatric academic career awards—**
  - (1) **Establishment of program—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall, as appropriate, establish or maintain a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to provide geriatric academic career awards to eligible entities applying on behalf of eligible individuals to promote the career development of such individuals as academic geriatricians or other academic geriatrics health professionals.
  - (2) **Eligibility—**
    - (A) **Eligible entity—** For purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible entity” means—
      - (i) an entity described in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of [section 295p of this title](/usc/42/295p.md) or [section 296(2) of this title](/usc/42/296.md?p=2); or
      - (ii) another accredited health professions [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or graduate [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) approved by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c).
    - (B) **Eligible individual—** For purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible individual” means an individual who—
      - (i)
        - (I) is board certified or board eligible in internal medicine, family practice, psychiatry, or licensed dentistry, or has completed required training in a discipline and is employed in an accredited health professions [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or graduate [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that is approved by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c); or
        - (II) has completed an approved fellowship [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in geriatrics, or has completed specialty training in geriatrics as required by the discipline and any additional geriatrics training as required by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c); and
      - (ii) has a junior, nontenured, faculty appointment at an accredited health professions [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or graduate [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in geriatrics or a geriatrics health profession.
    - (C) **Clarification—** If an eligible individual is promoted during the period of an award under this subsection and thereby no longer meets the criteria of [subparagraph (B)(ii)](#b-2-B-ii), the individual shall continue to be treated as an eligible individual through the term of the award.
  - (3) **Application requirements—** In order to receive an award under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), an eligible entity, on behalf of an eligible individual, shall—
    - (A) submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require;
    - (B) provide, in such form and manner as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require, assurances that the eligible individual will meet the [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) requirement described in [paragraph (6)](#b-6); and
    - (C) provide, in such form and manner as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require, assurances that the individual has a full-time faculty appointment in a health professions institution and documented commitment from such eligible entity that the individual will spend 75 percent of the individual’s time that is supported by the award on teaching and developing skills in interdisciplinary education in geriatrics.
  - (4) **Equitable distribution—** In making awards under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall seek to ensure geographical distribution among award recipients, including among rural or medically underserved areas of the United States.
  - (5) **Amount and duration—**
    - (A) **Amount—** The amount of an award under this subsection shall be at least $75,000 for fiscal year 2021, adjusted for subsequent years in accordance with the consumer price index. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall determine the amount of an award under this subsection for individuals who are not physicians.
    - (B) **Duration—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall make awards under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) for a period not to exceed 5 years.
  - (6) **Service requirement—** An individual who receives an award under this subsection shall provide training in clinical geriatrics, including the training of interprofessional teams of health care professionals. The provision of such training shall constitute at least 75 percent of the obligations of such individual under the award.
- (c) **Nonapplicability of provision—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, [section 295j(a) of this title](/usc/42/295j.md?p=a) shall not apply to awards made under this section.
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated $40,737,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for purposes of carrying out this section.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 753, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 103, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3544; amended Pub. L. 107–205, title II, § 202(b), Aug. 1, 2002, 116 Stat. 817; Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5305(a), (b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 622, 624; Pub. L. 111–256, § 2(f)(5), Oct. 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 2644; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3403, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 388; Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title III, § 331(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2938.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 294c, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 765, as added Pub. L. 102–408, title I, § 102, Oct. 13, 1992, 106 Stat. 2047, authorized appropriations for purpose of carrying out subpart I of this part, prior to the general amendment of this part by Pub. L. 105–392.

Another prior section 294c, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 730, as added Oct. 12, 1976, Pub. L. 94–484, title IV, § 401(b)(3), 90 Stat. 2258, related to sources of funds for eligible student loans, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 102–408. See section 292c of this title.

Another prior section 294c, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 743, as added Sept. 24, 1963, Pub. L. 88–129, § 2(b), 77 Stat. 172; amended Oct. 22, 1965, Pub. L. 89–290, § 4(d), 79 Stat. 1057; Nov. 3, 1966, Pub. L. 89–751, § 5(c)(2), (3), 80 Stat. 1233; Aug. 16, 1968, Pub. L. 90–490, title I, § 121(c), 82 Stat. 778; July 9, 1971, Pub. L. 92–52, § 1(b), 85 Stat. 144; Nov. 18, 1971, Pub. L. 92–157, title I, § 105(e)(2), (f)(2), 85 Stat. 451; Oct. 12, 1976, Pub. L. 94–484, title IV, §§ 405, 406(e), 90 Stat. 2267, 2268, which related to the distribution of assets from loan funds, was transferred to section 294p of this title.

### Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–136 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section consisted of subsecs. (a) to (e) which related to geriatric education centers, geriatric training regarding physicians and dentists, geriatric faculty fellowships, geriatric workforce development, and geriatric career incentive awards, respectively.

Subsec. (a)(7)(B). Pub. L. 116–260, in introductory provisions, substituted “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” for “Title VII Health Care Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019” in the original, and accordingly, “the date of enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” was translated to “March 27, 2020”. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. 116–136, was approved Mar. 27, 2020.

2010—Subsec. (b)(2)(E). Pub. L. 111–256 substituted “elderly individuals with intellectual disabilities” for “elderly mentally retarded individuals”.

Subsec. (c)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5305(b)(2), added pars. (2) to (4) and struck out former pars. (2) and (3) which described eligible individuals and limitations for Geriatric Academic Career Awards. Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5305(b)(1), redesignated par. (4) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Subsec. (c)(5)(A). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5305(b)(3)(A), inserted “for individuals who are physicians” before “shall equal” and inserted at end “The Secretary shall determine the amount of an Award under this section for individuals who are not physicians.”

Subsec. (c)(5)(C). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5305(b)(3)(B), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5305(b)(1), redesignated par. (5) as (6).

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5305(a), added subsecs. (d) and (e).

2002—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–205 substituted “, and section 296(2) of this title,” for “, and section 298b(2) of this title,”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2020 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title III, § 331(d), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2938, provided that: “The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sections 297n–1 and 297t of this title] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116–136).”

### Definitions

For meaning of references to an intellectual disability and to individuals with intellectual disabilities in provisions amended by section 2 of Pub. L. 111–256, see section 2(k) of Pub. L. 111–256, set out as a note under section 1400 of Title 20, Education.