(a) Grants

(1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall award grants to community colleges for the purpose of assisting the community college in the establishment of programs which provide education in a health profession leading to a degree or diploma in a health profession for individuals who desire to practice such profession on an Indian reservation or in a tribal clinic.

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(2) The amount of any grant awarded to a community college under paragraph (1) for the first year in which such a grant is provided to the community college shall not exceed $100,000.

(b) Eligibility

(1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall award grants to community colleges that have established a program described in subsection (a)(1) for the purpose of maintaining the program and recruiting students for the program.

(2) Grants may only be made under this section to a community college which—

(A) is accredited,

(B) has access to a hospital facility, Service facility, or hospital that could provide training of nurses or health professionals,

(C) has entered into an agreement with an accredited college or university medical school, the terms of which—

(i) provide a program that enhances the transition and recruitment of students into advanced baccalaureate or graduate programs which train health professionals, and

(ii) stipulate certifications necessary to approve internship and field placement opportunities at service unit facilities of the Service or at tribal health facilities,

(D) has a qualified staff which has the appropriate certifications, and

(E) is capable of obtaining State or regional accreditation of the program described in subsection (a)(1).

(c) Agreements and technical assistance

The Secretary shall encourage community colleges described in subsection (b)(2) to establish and maintain programs described in subsection (a)(1) by—

(1) entering into agreements with such colleges for the provision of qualified personnel of the Service to teach courses of study in such programs, and

(2) providing technical assistance and support to such colleges.

(d) Advanced training

Any program receiving assistance under this section that is conducted with respect to a health profession shall also offer courses of study which provide advanced training for any health professional who—

(1) has already received a degree or diploma in such health profession, and

(2) provides clinical services on an Indian reservation, at a Service facility, or at a tribal clinic.

Such courses of study may be offered in conjunction with the college or university with which the community college has entered into the agreement required under subsection (b)(2)(C).

(e) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) The term “community college” means—

(A) a junior or community college that is a tribally controlled college or university, or

(B) a junior or community college.

(2) The term “tribally controlled college or university” has the meaning given to such term by section 1801(a)(4) of this title.

(3) The term “junior or community college” has the meaning given to such term by section 1058(e) ¹ of title 20.