[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3612 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3612
To establish a new educational exchange program to strengthen domestic
mining education, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 12, 2026
Ms. Rosen (for herself, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Scott of South
Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a new educational exchange program to strengthen domestic
mining education, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
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:
``SEC. 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:
``SEC. 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 Educational 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 bachelor's or equivalent degree
conferred before participating in the Fellowship
Program.
``(B) Be a student who is currently enrolled in a
United States institution of higher education and
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 postdoctoral degree conferred
during the 5-year period immediately preceding
participation in the Fellowship Program.
``(3) Required intent.--Upon completing the Fellowship
Program, each fellow shall demonstrate his or her 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 education 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 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 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. CRITICAL MINERAL MINING EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE ACT OF 2025.
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:
``SEC. 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 institutions of higher education;
``(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,
institutions of higher education, 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 who are currently employed--
``(A) outside of the United States as mining
professionals, practitioners, or operators; or
``(B) as academics working at institutions of
higher education in foreign countries with mining
education programs approved by a Fulbright Commission
or United States embassy, in consultation with the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
``(2) Number of fellows.--The Bureau may determine the
number of fellows selected each year, which, whenever feasible,
shall not be fewer than 10.
``(3) Eligibility criteria.--Each visiting mining scholar
shall be a foreign national of a country--
``(A) in which an existing Fulbright Foreign
Student Program operates; and
``(B) 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
Bureau shall prioritize the 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 em