STEM RESTART Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced
Summary
Paid STEM returnships for mid‑career workers. This bill would create a national grant program to fund paid returnships and internships that help unemployed or underemployed mid‑career workers reenter or transition into above‑entry‑level STEM jobs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Paid STEM returnship grants for workers
If enacted, the bill would create a Department of Labor competitive grant program to fund paid STEM "returnships" for mid-career unemployed or underemployed workers. Grants would target U.S. small and medium employers (small 50–499 employees; medium 500–9,999) or consortia. The program would be authorized $50 million per year for FY2026 through FY2030. Awards would run 3–5 years and must offer at least 10-week programs with pay and benefits comparable to full-time employees. Grants could pay participant wages, training, travel, housing support, equipment, mentorship, and contracts with training providers. Annual award ranges: small firms $100,000–$1,000,000; medium firms or consortia $500,000–$5,000,000. No more than 20% of grant funds may go to compensating existing employees who support the program.
Grant reporting and evaluation rules
If enacted, businesses that get a RESTART grant would have to submit annual reports with participant counts and conversion and retention data, disaggregated by sex, race, and ethnicity. Within 180 days after receiving those reports, the Secretary of Labor would prepare a consolidated evaluation, send it to Congress, and post best practices online. The reporting aims to increase transparency and spread program lessons, but it would add paperwork and data obligations for grant recipients.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Cindy Hyde-Smith
MS • R
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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