(a) Definition of eligible student
In this section, the term "eligible student" means a student who attends an institution of higher education that offers a doctoral degree in a field relevant to a mission area of the Department.

(b) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a graduate fellowship program for eligible students pursuing a doctoral degree in a mission area of the Department.

(c) Selection

(1) In general
The Secretary shall award fellowships to eligible students under this section through a competitive merit review process, involving written and oral interviews, that will result in a wide distribution of awards throughout the United States, as determined by the Secretary.

(2) Criteria
The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for awarding fellowships under this section that require an eligible student—

(A) to pursue a field of science or engineering of importance to a mission area of the Department;

(B) to demonstrate to the Secretary—

(i) the capacity of the eligible student to understand technical topics relating to the fellowship that can be derived from the first principles of the technical topics;

(ii) imagination and creativity;

(iii) leadership skills in organizations or intellectual endeavors, demonstrated through awards and past experience; and

(iv) excellent verbal and communication skills to explain, defend, and demonstrate an understanding of technical subjects relating to the fellowship; and

(C) to be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.

(d) Awards

(1) Amount
A fellowship awarded under this section shall—

(A) provide an annual living stipend; and

(B) cover—

(i) graduate tuition at an institution of higher education described in subsection (a); and

(ii) incidental expenses associated with curricula and research at the institution of higher education (including books, computers, and software).

(2) Duration
A fellowship awarded under this section shall be up to 3 years duration within a 5-year period.

(3) Portability
A fellowship awarded under this section shall be portable with the eligible student.

(e) Administration
The Secretary, acting through the Director of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education—

(1) shall administer the program established under this section; and

(2) may enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity to administer the program, including the selection and award of fellowships.

(f) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—

(1) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;

(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, including nonexpiring fellowships for the preceding fiscal year;

(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, including nonexpiring fellowships for preceding fiscal years;

(4) $20,600,000 for fiscal year 2011;

(5) $21,200,000 for fiscal year 2012; and

(6) $21,900,000 for fiscal year 2013.