Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act
Sponsored By: Representative McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Introduced
Summary
Improving mentorship in STEM higher education by creating a competitive NSF demonstration program to train and support faculty, graduate researchers, and postdoctoral researchers and by adding institutional reporting on harassment and other professional misconduct.
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- Students and early-career researchers: Would fund projects that train faculty and researchers in mentoring skills, cultural competency, and evidence-based mentoring practices to improve day-to-day guidance and career support.
- Minority-serving and rural institutions: Directs the NSF to give special consideration to minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, rural-serving institutions, emerging research institutions, and consortia that include them.
- Eligible entities and institutions: Makes colleges, nonprofit organizations, or consortia eligible for competitive awards and requires NSF to assess program effectiveness within five years and, if effective, propose a plan to sustain it.
- Research integrity and safety: Adds a requirement that institutions and agencies maintain reporting processes for harassment, discrimination, and other forms of professional or scientific misconduct.
*Authorizes up to $5.0 million in appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the demonstration program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Mentorship grants for STEM faculty and trainees
This bill would create a small NSF grant program to improve mentorship in STEM higher education. The NSF Director would make competitive awards to colleges, nonprofits, or consortia to fund projects for faculty, graduate researchers, and postdocs. Applicants would submit applications in the form and with the information the Director requires. The Director would give special consideration to HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, minority-serving, rural-serving, and emerging research institutions. The Director would report on effectiveness within five years. Congress authorized $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the program.
Required misconduct reporting at research institutions
This bill would require covered institutions and federal research agencies to have reporting processes for harassment, discrimination, and other forms of professional or scientific misconduct. The requirement would apply to the institutions and agencies covered by the America COMPETES Act. The change would take effect upon enactment. The statutory text does not itself specify new funding for these processes.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov