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119-s-3340119th CongressWALLET

21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act

Sponsored By: Senator Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

Introduced

Summary

Expand K–12 STEM access for girls and underrepresented minorities. This bill would create a competitive grant program under Title IV to fund local educational agencies to run STEM activities that specifically target girls and underrepresented minorities.

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  • Students and families: Students would get more hands-on STEM opportunities like tutoring, mentoring, after-school and summer programs, field trips, academic advising, and paid internships with up to 50% of internship costs covered.
  • Local educational agencies: Only LEAs that receive Title I funds and serve at least 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch would qualify, and grants would provide $250,000 per year to each recipient.
  • Teachers and program oversight: Grants would fund professional development to address bias and encourage advanced STEM coursework, require annual program evaluations, and must supplement, not supplant, non-federal funds.

*Would authorize $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029, increasing federal spending if appropriated.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

STEM grants for girls and minorities

This bill would create a Department of Education competitive grant program for K–12 STEM activities. The program would begin no later than 90 days after enactment. Grants would give qualified local educational agencies $250,000 per year for four years. Eligible LEAs would need Title I, Part A funds and at least 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds would pay for tutoring, mentoring, after-school and summer STEM programs, teacher training on bias, materials, field trips, academic advising, partnerships, and up to half the cost of STEM internships. Grants would have to supplement, not replace, non‑Federal funds. Grantees would send annual written evaluations within 30 days after the last day of each school year. The bill would authorize $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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