; (C) the likelihood that the institution of higher education will sustain or expand the proposed reform effort beyond the period of the grant; and (D) the degree to which evaluation and assessment plans are included in the design of the proposed reform effort. (3) Grant distribution The Director of the National Science Foundation shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that grants awarded under this section are made to a variety of types of institutions of higher education. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation $10,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022 to carry out this section. 11. National Science Foundation support for broadening participation in undergraduate STEM education (a) Grants The Director of the National Science Foundation shall award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to implement or expand research-based reforms in undergraduate STEM education for the purpose of recruiting and retaining students from minority groups who are underrepresented in STEM fields, with a priority focus on natural science and engineering fields. (b) Merit review; competition Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis. (c) Use of funds Activities supported by grants under this section may include— (1) implementation or expansion of innovative, research-based approaches to broaden participation of underrepresented minority groups in STEM fields; (2) implementation or expansion of bridge, cohort, tutoring, or mentoring programs designed to enhance the recruitment and retention of students from underrepresented minority groups in STEM fields; (3) implementation or expansion of outreach programs linking institutions of higher education and K–12 school systems in order to heighten awareness among pre-college students from underrepresented minority groups of opportunities in college-level STEM fields and STEM careers