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119-s-1534119th CongressWALLET

Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a National Science Foundation grant program to _increase the participation of women, individuals underrepresented in science and engineering, and persons with disabilities in STEM_. It would fund competitive grants for outreach, mentoring, internships, faculty recruitment and retention, and related activities to expand access and improve retention across education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to boost STEM diversity

This bill would create a new NSF competitive grant program to increase participation of women, underrepresented groups, and people with disabilities in STEM. If enacted, the NSF Director would award grants to colleges, nonprofits, and other eligible groups. Grants could fund online workshops, mentoring, internships, K–12 outreach, and programs to recruit and retain underrepresented faculty. The bill would authorize $15 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (about $75 million total).

Who counts for NSF grants

This bill would define who is eligible or targeted under the NSF grant program. If enacted, "minority" would cover listed racial and ethnic groups and LGBQ or gender‑nonconforming people. "Person with a disability" would follow the Census Current Population Survey types. "Underrepresented in science and engineering" would mean groups with far fewer scientists and engineers per 10,000 people than White non‑Hispanic persons. These definitions would guide who grant-funded programs may serve or prioritize.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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