Definitions

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Public Law 87–256; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 101 the following: 101A. Definitions In this Act: (1) Advanced degree The term advanced degree means a degree from an institution of higher education that is a master’s or doctoral degree. (2) Critical mineral The term critical mineral — (A) has the meaning given such term in section 7002(a)(3) of the Energy Act of 2020 (division Z of Public Law 116–260; 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3)); and (B) includes gold, and copper, and any other mineral or mineral material the Secretary of State determines— (i) to be essential to the economic or national security of the United States; and (ii) has a supply chain vulnerable to disruption. (3) Excess foreign currencies The term excess foreign currencies means foreign currencies, which, if acquired by the United States— (A) would be in excess of the normal requirements of departments, agencies, and embassies of the United States for such currencies, as determined by the President; and (B) would be available for the use of the United States Government under applicable agreements with the foreign country concerned. (4) Federal employee The term Federal employee — (A) means any employee described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 7342(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code; and (B) does not include a person described in subparagraph (G) of such section. (5) Government-sponsored international exchanges and training The term Government-sponsored international exchanges and training means the movement of people between countries, financed wholly or in part with United States Government funds— (A) to promote the sharing of ideas; (B) to develop skills; and (C) to foster mutual understanding and cooperation. (6) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (7) Historically Black college and university The term historically Black college and university has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)). (8) Mining education program The term Mining Education Program means an academic program related to the mining industry. (9) Mining industry The term mining industry means the mining industry of the United States, which consists of activities related to naturally occurring metal and nonmetal critical minerals, including— (A) geological mapping, geophysical surveying, geochemical sampling, and management of geological data; (B) mineral system analysis, exploration, and resource delineation, including exploratory drilling and resource estimation and classification; (C) project development, feasibility studies, financing, and permitting; (D) mine construction, extraction, and operational support activities; (E) mineral processing, beneficiation, smelting, refining, chemical conversion, and separation; (F) material conversion and advanced materials manufacturing; (G) transportation, logistics, and handling of intermediate and finished material products; and (H) reclamation, remediation, reuse, recycling, and recovery of materials from primary and secondary sources, including mine waste and end-of-life products. (10) Mining profession The term mining profession means the body of jobs directly related to the mining industry. (11) Minority serving institution The term minority-serving institution means an eligible institution under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))..