§ 7631. Agricultural biotechnology research and development for developing countries
(a) Eligible entity
In this section, the term “eligible entity” means—
(A)an institution of higher education that offers a curriculum in agriculture or the biosciences;
(B)a nonprofit organization; or
(C)a consortium of for-profit institutions and agricultural research institutions.
(b) Grant program
(1) In general
The Secretary (acting through the Foreign Agricultural Service) shall establish and administer a program to make competitive grants to eligible entities to develop agricultural biotechnology for developing countries.
(2) Use of funds
Funds provided to an eligible entity under this section may be used for projects that use biotechnology to—
(A)enhance the nutritional content of agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries;
(B)increase the yield and safety of agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries;
(C)increase the yield of agricultural products that are drought- and stress-resistant and that can be grown in developing countries;
(D)extend the growing range of crops that can be grown in developing countries;
(E)enhance the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables grown in developing countries;
(F)develop environmentally sustainable agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries; and
(G)develop vaccines to immunize against life-threatening illnesses and other medications that can be administered by consuming genetically-engineered agricultural products.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2012.