20 U.S.C. § 1135a: Institutional eligibility

Any academic department, program or unit of an institution of higher education that offers a program of postbaccalaureate study leading to a graduate degree, including a master’s or doctoral degree, in an area of national need (as designated under subsection (b)) may apply for a grant under this subpart. No department, program or unit shall be eligible for a grant unless the program of postbaccalaureate study has been in existence for at least 4 years at the time of application for assistance under this subpart. the extent to which the interest in the area is compelling; the extent to which other Federal programs support postbaccalaureate study in the area concerned; an assessment of how the program may achieve the most significant impact with available resources; and an assessment of current (as of the time of the designation) and future professional workforce needs of the United States.