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S3612119th CongressWALLET

Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

Build U.S. mining education and workforce capacity for critical minerals. This bill would create two Fulbright-style programs to send U.S. students abroad and to bring foreign mining scholars to U.S. campuses to strengthen training, research, and industry links for minerals deemed critical to national and economic security.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Funding for mining exchange programs

If enacted, the bill would authorize $10,000,000 a year to the State Department for each fiscal year 2026 through 2035. The money would be for both the student fellowship and the visiting mining scholars program. Congress would still need to appropriate the funds before they become available.

New mining fellowships for students

If enacted, the bill would create a Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship under the Fulbright program. Eligible U.S. students or recent postdocs could study or research at Bureau-approved foreign mining universities for at least one year. Fellows would receive allowances for tuition, living expenses, textbooks, visas, relocation, research travel, and other approved costs. Fellows would need to plan to seek U.S.-based mining employment after the program, and the Fulbright Board would select fellows with geographic representation.

Definitions for mining programs

If enacted, the bill would add program definitions to the law for the new mining exchange programs. It would define "critical mineral" (using the Energy Act of 2020 and explicitly including gold and copper) and terms like "advanced degree," "mining industry," and "mining education program." These definitions would take effect on enactment and would end when the Act sunsets ten years later.

Programs end after ten years

If enacted, the bill would cause the Act and the legal changes it makes to end ten years after enactment. That would stop the fellowship, visiting scholar program, and the added definitions unless Congress renews or extends them before the sunset date.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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