; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Appointment of candidates selected for preparatory school sponsorship The Secretary of Transportation may appoint each year as cadets at the United States Merchant Marine Academy not more than 40 qualified individuals sponsored by the Academy to attend preparatory school during the academic year prior to entrance in the Academy, and who have successfully met the terms and conditions of sponsorship set by the Academy. . 106. Independent study on the United States Merchant Marine Academy (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Public Administration (referred to in this section as the Academy ) to carry out the activities described in this section. (b) Study elements In accordance with the agreement described in subsection (a), the Academy shall conduct a study of the United States Merchant Marine Academy that consists of the following: (1) A comprehensive assessment of the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s systems, training, facilities, infrastructure, information technology, and stakeholder engagement. (2) Identification of needs and opportunities for modernization to help the United States Merchant Marine Academy keep pace with more modern campuses. (3) Development of an action plan for the United States Merchant Marine Academy with specific recommendations for— (A) improvements or updates relating to the opportunities described in paragraph (2)