42 U.S.C. § 1885c: Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering

There is established within the Foundation a Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”). The Committee shall provide advice to the Foundation concerning (1) the implementation of the provisions of sections 1885 to 1885d of this title and (2) other policies and activities of the Foundation to encourage full participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in scientific, engineering, and professional fields. Each member of the Committee shall be appointed by the Director. In addition, the Chairman of the National Science Board may designate a member of the Board as a member of the Committee. Members of the Committee shall be appointed to serve for a three-year term, and may be reappointed to serve one additional term of three years. The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and evaluating all Foundation matters relating to opportunities for the participation in, and the advancement of, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in education, training, and science and engineering research programs. The Committee may organize such standing or ad hoc subcommittees as the Committee finds appropriate. review data on the participation in Foundation activities of institutions serving populations that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including poor, rural, and tribal populations; and recommendations regarding how the Foundation could improve outreach and inclusion of these populations in Foundation activities. a summary of its findings over the previous 10 years; a description of past and present policies and activities of the Foundation to encourage full participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science, mathematics, and engineering fields, including activities in support of minority-serving institutions; and an assessment of the trends in participation in Foundation activities, and an assessment of the success of Foundation policies and activities, along with proposals for new strategies or the broadening of existing successful strategies toward facilitating the goals of that Act [ 42 U.S.C. 1885 et seq.].”