Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026.

Sec. 2. Findings

Congress finds the United States mining industry and, more broadly, mining and mineral processing and refining, is widely reported as facing a significant personnel shortage. This shortage is driven by an aging workforce, declining numbers of graduates entering mining careers, and difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers. Fifty percent of the current mining workforce is expected to retire within the next 5 years. In 2023, only 14 United States universities and colleges had mining and mining engineer programs. Downstream segments, such as ore processing, refining, and metallurgy, are affected by the same workforce trends. Institutions and personnel from allied countries with mining expertise can share their knowledge and experience with the United States workforce through education exchange programs.

Sec. 3. 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)).

Sec. 4. Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended by section 3, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

116. Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program

(a) Establishment

There is authorized to be established the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program (referred to in this section as the Fellowship Program) within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program.

(b) Purposes

The purposes of the Fellowship Program are—

(1)

to advance foreign policy priorities of the United States by promoting studies, research, and international exchange in the mining industry;

(2)

to send United States students to mining institutions abroad to build the capacity of the United States mining workforce;

(3)

to develop a robust and skilled workforce that can support and fill the gaps of the United States’ growing domestic critical mineral supply chain; and

(4)

to reduce dependency on foreign energy and critical mineral supplies and enhance competitiveness of the United States within the global critical mineral marketplace.

(c) Administration

The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State (referred to in this section as the Bureau) shall administer the Fellowship Program in accordance with policy guidelines established by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (referred to in this section as the Board), in consultation with binational Fulbright Commissions, mining industry leaders, institutions of higher education, foreign governments, and United States embassies in eligible countries.

(d) Selection of fellows

(1) In general

The Bureau shall determine the number of fellows selected for the Fellowship Program each year. The Board shall select qualified individuals to participate in the Fellowship Program. In selecting the fellows, the Board should ensure geographic representation to ensure region-specific specialties are developed.

(2) Criteria

All fellows shall meet one of the following criteria:

(A)

Have a conferred bachelors degree, or equivalent degree, before the start of the Fellowship period.

(B)

Be a student who is currently enrolled in a United States institution of higher education completing an advanced degree in the field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics or a field related to the mining industry.

(C)

Have had a conferred postdoctoral degree during the 5-year period immediately preceding the Fellowship period.

(3) Required intent

Upon completing the Fellowship Program, each fellow shall demonstrate their intent to seek employment in a mining profession that directly benefits the growth, progress, and development of the United States mining industry—

(A)

in the United States Government; or

(B)

at a United States-based nongovernmental organization, academic institution, private sector company, or other organization that has been approved by the Bureau.

(4) Eligible universities

United States students shall attend universities approved by the Bureau, in consultation with the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, that have a mining program and are located in a foreign country. To the extent practicable, the Bureau should prioritize enrollment in higher education mining programs in—

(A)

member countries in the Minerals Security Partnership; or

(B)

any additional countries identified by the Bureau, in consultation with the congressional committees referred to in this paragraph, as containing sufficiently qualified mining programs .

(5) Outreach

To the extent practicable, the Bureau shall conduct outreach at United States undergraduate and graduate higher education institutions the Bureau determines are likely to produce a range of qualified applicants to be sent abroad.

(e) Structure

(1) Work plan

To carry out the purposes described in subsection (b)—

(A)

each fellow selected pursuant to subsection (d)(1) shall be encouraged to arrange placement in a mining education program at an eligible foreign university;

(B)

each fellow shall—

(i)

participate in advanced coursework, research projects, and practical training opportunities, including internships, offered by the host institution;

(ii)

engage with faculty advisors and industry partners to gain hands-on experience through internships, laboratory work, and field studies relevant to the mining industry;

(iii)

serve as a cultural and academic ambassador of the United States by fostering mutual understanding within the host country’s academic and professional mining community;

(iv)

participate in professional development activities, such as conferences, workshops, and seminars, to expand knowledge of global best practices in mining engineering and related fields; and

(v)

build and strengthen networks with international peers, faculty, and industry professionals to facilitate ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange; and

(C)

the Bureau shall, for each fellow, approve a work plan that identifies the target objectives for the fellow, including specific duties and responsibilities relating to such objectives.

(2) Fellowship period

(A) In general

Each fellowship under this section shall continue for a period determined by the Bureau, which, whenever feasible, shall not be shorter than 1 year.

(B) Renewal

The Bureau may grant a renewal for a second year, in consultation with the relevant United States embassy or the Fulbright Commission.

(f) Fellowship award

The Bureau shall provide each fellow under this section with an allowance equal to the amount needed for the fellow’s reasonable costs during the fellowship period, including—

(1)

mandatory university fees, including tuition, associated with his or her studies;

(2)

living expenses, including housing, basic food costs, and daily transportation;

(3)

essential textbooks and other academic materials;

(4)

mandatory visa application, immigration fees, and other essential pre-departure requirements;

(5)

relocation expenses, including travel by air or by rail;

(6)

a research allowance, including essential travel to field sites and laboratory work; and

(7)

other reasonable costs approved by the Bureau.

(g) Annual reports

Not later than 1 year after the completion of the Fellowship Program by the initial cohort of fellows selected pursuant to subsection (d), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that includes information regarding the implementation of the Fellowship Program, including—

(1)

the demographics and geographical origins of the cohort of fellows who completed a fellowship during the reporting period;

(2)

a description of academic placements selected and their relation to the development of the United States region-specific specialties under the Fellowship Program, including participant feedback on program implementation and lessons learned; and

(3)

a plan for factoring lessons learned and acquired skills based knowledge into future programming.

Sec. 5. Visiting Mining Scholars Program

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended by sections 3 and 4, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

117. Visiting Mining Scholars Program

(a) Establishment

There is authorized to be established the Visiting Mining Scholars Program (referred to in this section as the Visiting Scholars Program) within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program.

(b) Purpose

The purpose of the Visiting Scholars Program is to bring mining academics and professionals to the United States—

(1)

to build and expand United States mining education programs at higher education institutions;

(2)

to bolster workforce development programs; and

(3)

to advance research and development initiatives in the mining industry and adjacent fields.

(c) Administration

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State (referred to in this section as the Bureau) shall administer the Visiting Scholars Program in accordance with policy guidelines established by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (referred to in this section as the Board), in consultation with binational Fulbright Commissions, mining industry leaders, higher education institutions, foreign governments, and United States embassies in eligible countries.

(d) Selection of Visiting Mining Scholars

(1) In general

The Board shall select qualified individuals to participate in the Visiting Scholars Program, who shall be foreign nationals—

(A)

currently employed as mining professionals, practitioners, or operators outside of the United States; or

(B)

currently employed as academics working at institutions of higher education in foreign countries with mining education programs, as approved by a Fulbright Commission or United States embassy, in consultation with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

(2) Number of Fellows

The Bureau shall determine the number of fellows selected each year, which, whenever feasible, shall be not fewer than 10.

(3) Critereia

Visiting mining scholars shall be foreign nationals—

(A)

of a country in which an existing Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates; and

(B)

of a country that has expertise, specialized knowledge, or engages in practices that could benefit the United States mining industry.

(4) Preferred Countries

To the extent practicable, the Board should prioritize selection of visiting mining scholars who live or work in—

(A)

a member country in the Minerals Security Partnership; or

(B)

any additional country identified by the Bureau, in consultation with the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, as containing individuals who have academic expertise, specialized knowledge, or engage in practices that could benefit the United States mining industry.

(5) Outreach

To the extent practicable, the Bureau shall conduct outreach in coordination with appropriate United States embassies, mining industry leaders, and mining institutions abroad that are likely to produce a range of qualified applicants to come to the United States.

(e) Structure

(1) Work plan

To carry out the purposes described in subsection (b)—

(A)

each individual selected pursuant to subsection (d)(1), and who is coming to the United States as a visiting mining scholar—

(i)

shall arrange placement in a United States academic institution approved by the Bureau; and

(ii)

should—

(I)

consult with faculty members to provide technical assistance on how to develop or expand a mining education program at the host institution of higher education;

(II)

assist in the development and review of mining education curricula, including course syllabi, laboratory modules, and fieldwork components;

(III)

participate in collaborative research projects with faculty, students, and third-party research institutions focusing on innovative mining technologies, sustainable mining practices, and resource management;

(IV)

facilitate partnerships between the host institution and mining organizations, government agencies, and other institutions to foster academic exchange, research collaboration, and workforce development;

(V)

mentor undergraduate and graduate students interested in mining education, offering guidance on academic projects and career development; and

(VI)

contribute to the development of outreach programs aimed at increasing awareness of the mining industry as a career path and to increase awareness of the types of mining professions available; and

(B)

the Bureau shall, for each scholar, approve a work plan that identifies the target objectives for the scholar, including specific duties and responsibilities relating to such objectives.

(2) Eligible united states institutions

Visiting mining scholars shall be placed in a higher education institution approved by the Bureau that—

(A)

demonstrates a commitment to develop or expand academic programs in the mining industry;

(B)

possesses existing faculty expertise or research activity in the mining industry or related extractive fields;

(C)

provides institutional support and resources, such as laboratory facilities, field sites, or equipment, relevant to mining education and research, including in geology;

(D)

demonstrates a commitment to integrate the visiting scholar into curriculum development, faculty training, or workforce pipeline initiatives in mining;

(E)

demonstrates a plan for sustaining mining or critical mineral resources programs beyond the duration of the visiting scholar’s placement;

(F)

shows evidence of student interest or regional workforce demand for mining education programs or training; and

(G)

agrees to provide mentoring, administrative support, and opportunities for the visiting scholar to engage with students, faculty, and local industry.

(3) Scholarship Period

(A) In general

The duration of each scholarship period under this section shall be determined by the Bureau and shall, whenever feasible, be not less than three months and not more than one year.

(B) Exceptions

Any exception to the duration of the scholarship period described in subparagraph (A) shall be submitted by the visiting mining scholar to and approved by the Bureau before such exception takes effect.

(f) Scholarship award

The Bureau shall provide each visiting mining scholar under this section with an allowance to cover the scholar’s reasonable costs of living during the scholarship period.

(g) Annual reports

Not later than 1 year after the completion of the Visiting Scholars Program by the initial cohort of scholars selected pursuant to subsection (d)(1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that includes information on the implementation of the Visiting Scholars Program, including—

(1)

the demographics and geographical origins of the cohort of scholars who completed a Visiting Scholars Program during the reporting period;

(2)

the United States universities at which visiting scholars were placed;

(3)

the foreign universities or other post-graduate institutions from which the cohort of visiting scholars were chosen;

(4)

a description of academic placements selected under the Visiting Scholars Program, including participant feedback on program implementation and lessons learned; and

(5)

a plan for factoring lessons learned into future programming.

Sec. 6. Technical and conforming amendments to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Public Law 87–256; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.) is amended—

Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2035 for the purpose of carrying out the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program and the Visiting Mining Scholars Program established under sections 116 and 117 of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as added by sections 4 and 5.