PHD Talent Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced
Summary
Creates accelerated doctoral pathways to boost U.S. science and engineering talent. This bill would direct the Department of Energy to run a five-year Strategic Scientific Workforce Pilot Program that funds accelerated doctoral programs and integrated baccalaureate-to-doctorate tracks in critical and emerging technology areas including artificial intelligence, advanced computing, biotechnology, clean energy, semiconductors, quantum information, and space technologies.
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- Students would gain access to accelerated doctoral and integrated baccalaureate-to-doctorate tracks that let graduate coursework count toward multiple degrees. Institutions must fund at least three years of the doctoral portion after a student's successful transition and must allow completion of a bachelor's or master's if a student leaves the doctoral track.
- Participating institutions, National Laboratories, industry, nonprofits, and States could receive grants, cooperative agreements, and other awards to run programs, fellowships, mentorships, research rotations, and professional development. Institutions may not reduce other financial support for a student because the student receives a fellowship and pilot fellowships must not duplicate existing federal graduate programs.
- The Secretary would set governance, eligibility, and application rules and may add "critical or emerging technology areas" based on federal workforce data and interagency consultation. The pilot would not make new awards after five years from the first award and may accept financial or in-kind contributions from nonfederal partners.
*Would authorize $250 million to be appropriated for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 and made available until expended.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Department of Energy $250M pilot
If enacted, Congress would authorize $250,000,000 to carry out this DOE pilot. The authorization would apply for fiscal years 2028 through 2032. The money would remain available until spent. This funding would support grants, fellowships, and other program activities under the pilot.
PhD pathway funding and eligibility rules
If enacted, the pilot would let participating schools run accelerated PhD and integrated bachelor‑to‑PhD pathways that count some graduate coursework toward both degrees. After a student finishes the baccalaureate part and is admitted to the doctoral portion, the program would have to provide funding that covers at least three years of the doctoral portion. Fellowships and direct student support would be available only to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Schools could get fellowship funds only to support eligible students and could not reduce other support they would have given a student because of a program fellowship. The bill would also define structured research rotations at DOE labs, federal facilities, or participating industry labs.
DOE five-year PhD pilot program
If enacted, the Department of Energy would set up a Strategic Scientific Workforce Pilot Program within one year of enactment. The pilot would run as a five‑year award window from the first award and give competitive grants to institutions. No new awards could be made after five years from the first award; DOE could only finish prior commitments and required evaluations after that. The Secretary would pick awards based on workforce data and must report to Congress within one year and then annually.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 7/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov