; and (2) under the program established in paragraph (1), award competitive grants to mining schools for the purpose of recruiting and educating the next generation of mining engineers and other qualified professionals to meet the future energy and mineral needs of the United States. (c) Grants (1) In general In carrying out the grant program established under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall award not more than 10 grants each year to mining schools. (2) Selection requirements (A) In general To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall select recipients for grants under paragraph (1) to ensure geographic diversity among grant recipients to ensure that region-specific specialties are developed for region-specific geology. (B) Timeline The Secretary shall award the grants under paragraph (1) by not later than the later of— (i) the date that is 180 days after the start of the applicable fiscal year; and (ii) the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Act making full-year appropriations for the Department of Energy for the applicable fiscal year is enacted. (3) Recommendations of the Board (A) In general In selecting recipients for grants under paragraph (1) and determining the amount of each grant, the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall take into consideration the recommendations of the Board under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (d)(3). (B) Selection statement In selecting recipients for grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (i) in response to a recommendation from the Board, submit to the Board a statement that describes— (I) whether the Secretary accepts or rejects, in whole or in part, the recommendation of the Board; and (II) the justification and rationale for any rejection, in whole or in part, of the recommendation of the Board