; (ii) to effectively compete for defense-related engineering, applied research, commercialization, and workforce development contracts and grants; and (iii) to support the mission of the Under Secretary to extend the capabilities of current war fighting systems, develop breakthrough capabilities, hedge against an uncertain future through a set of scientific and engineering options, and counter strategic surprise. (C) An assessment of the activities and investments necessary— (i) to augment facilities or educational programming at mining schools or a consortium of mining schools— (I) to support the mission of the Under Secretary; (II) to access, secure, and conduct research relating to sensitive or classified information; and (III) to respond quickly to emerging engineering, applied research, commercialization, and workforce needs relating to critical minerals. (ii) to increase the participation of mining schools in defense-related engineering, applied research, commercialization, and workforce development activities