33 U.S.C. § 893b
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the agency mission, including authorized activities.
In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall build on the historic role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of ocean and atmospheric science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
33 U.S.C. § 893b