; and (2) in the first sentence, by striking The Board shall report to the Congress every two years and inserting Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Board shall submit to Congress a report . 7. Modification of elements of National Sea Grant College Program Section 204(b) ( 33 U.S.C. 1123(b) ) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting for research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, and public service after financial assistance . 8. Direct hire authority; Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (a) In general During fiscal year 2017 and any fiscal year thereafter, the head of any Federal agency may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and 3328 of that title, a qualified candidate described in subsection (b) directly to a position with the Federal agency for which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards. (b) Qualified candidate Subsection (a) applies with respect to a former recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship under section 208(b) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1127(b) ) who— (1) earned a graduate or post-graduate degree in a field related to ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources or policy from an institution of higher education accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to section 496(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099b(a) ); (2) received a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship under section 208(b) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1127(b) ) within 5 years before the date the individual is appointed under this section