((a)) ** In general** Under the national service program component of the National Civilian Community Corps Program authorized by , eligible young people shall work in teams on National Civilian Community Corps projects.section 12612(a) of this title

((b)) ** Eligible participants** A person shall be eligible for selection for the national service program if the person—

((1)) is, or will be, at least 18 years of age on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which the individual enrolls in the program, but is not more than 24 years of age as of the date the individual begins participating in the program; and

((2)) is a high school graduate or has not received a high school diploma or its equivalent.

((c)) ** Diverse backgrounds of participants** In selecting persons for the national service program, the Director shall endeavor to ensure that participants are from economically, geographically, and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The Director shall take appropriate steps, including through outreach and recruitment activities, to increase the percentage of participants in the program who are disadvantaged youth to 50 percent of all participants by year 2012. The Director shall report to the authorizing committees biennially on such steps, any challenges faced, and the annual participation rates of disadvantaged youth in the program.

((d)) ** Period of participation** Persons desiring to participate in the national service program shall enter into an agreement with the Director to participate in the Corps for a period of not less than nine months and not more than one year, as specified by the Director, and may renew the agreement for not more than one additional such period.