((a)) ** Competitive grant program**
((1)) ** In general** The Secretary shall conduct a program of competitive grants to States for the purpose of meeting the costs of renovation, improving compliance with Federal regulations, employing faculty, acquiring equipment, and taking other action related to the improvement of schools of veterinary medicine to ensure agricultural competitiveness on a worldwide basis.
((2)) ** Matching requirement** A State receiving a grant under paragraph (1) shall provide State matching funds equal to not less than the amount of the grant.
((b)) ** Preference** Except with respect to the States of Alaska and Hawaii, the Secretary shall give preference in awarding grants to States which file, with their application for funds under this section, assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that—
((1)) the State has established a veterinary medical training program with one or more States without colleges of veterinary medicine which consists of appropriate cooperative agreements providing for a sharing of curriculum and costs by the individual States;
((2)) the clinical training of the school to be improved shall emphasize care and preventive medical programs for food animals and companion animals (including horses) which support industries of major economic importance; and
((3)) the Secretary may set aside a portion of funds appropriated for the award of grants under this section and make such amounts available only for grants to eligible colleges and universities that the Secretary determines have unique capabilities for achieving the objective of full participation of minority groups in research in the Nation’s schools of veterinary medicine.
((c)) ** Apportionment and distribution of funds** Funds appropriated to carry out this section for any fiscal year shall be apportioned and distributed as follows:
((1)) Five per centum shall be retained by the Department of Agriculture for administration, program assistance to eligible States, and program coordination.
((2)) The remainder shall be apportioned and distributed by the Secretary to those States which have applied for funds under this section on such basis as the Secretary may deem appropriate.