; and (3) leveraging the readiness for the involvement of local research and education communities to secure a talent pipeline in quantum information science, engineering, and technology to meet the workforce needs of industry, government, and academia. (b) Collaborations A collaboration receiving an award under this subsection may include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities. (c) Eligible institution of higher education defined In this section, the term eligible institution of higher education means an institution of higher education, that, according to the data published by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, is not, on average, among the top 100 institutions in Federal research and development expenditures during the 3-year period prior to the year of the award. (d) Requirements To receive an award under this section, an eligible institution shall submit to the Director of the National Science Foundation an application that includes the following: (1) A plan to sustain proposed activities beyond the duration of the award. (2) Proposed quantum information science, engineering, and technology disciplines and focus areas the eligible institution is prepared to engage in to significantly build up its quantum information science, engineering, and technology research and education capacity. (3) A plan for education and workforce development, which may include K–12 and post-secondary education programs and activities, workforce training and career and technical education programs and activities, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral education, and informal education programs and activities. (e) Activities Awards under this section to support research and related activities may include the activities relating to the following: (1) Development or expansion of research programs in disciplines and focus areas specified in subsection (d)(2). (2) Faculty recruitment and professional development in disciplines and focus areas specified in