National Science Foundation awards for artificial intelligence resources

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a State educational agency, local educational agency, or educational service agency; (B) an institution of higher education, including— (i) an emerging research institution; (ii) an EPSCoR institution; (iii) a minority-serving institution; (iv) a historically Black college or university; (v) a Tribal College or University; or (vi) a community college; or (C) a technical and vocational school. (2) Technical and vocational school The term technical and vocational school has the meaning given the term area career and technical school in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302). (b) Awards authorized Subject to section 15, the Director shall make awards to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to provide or increase access to artificial intelligence tools and applications to the students and researchers served by the eligible entities. (c) Preference In making awards under subsection (b), the Director shall give preference to eligible entities that— (1) expand the geographic diversity of funded entities; or (2) are emerging research institutions, EPSCoR institutions, minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, community colleges, or technical and vocational schools. (d) Method The Director may carry out this section through new or existing programs.