; 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) Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship 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, and Great Lakes resources or policy from an accredited institution of higher education