MSI STEM Achievement Act

MSI STEM Achievement Act

(Sec. 4) This bill supports efforts to increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at minority-serving institutions of higher education (IHEs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges or Universities. The bill requires the National Science Foundation to award grants for purposes including building the capacity of such IHEs to increase the number and success of their students in the STEM workforce.

(Sec. 5) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) shall develop a uniform set of policy guidelines for federal science agencies to carry out a program of outreach activities to increase clarity, transparency, and accountability for federal science agency investments in STEM education and research activities at minority-serving IHEs.

The OSTP shall submit to Congress a report containing a strategic plan for each federal science agency to increase the capacity of minority-serving IHEs to compete for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements and to encourage such IHEs to participate in federal programs.

The Bill 117 hr 2027, also known as the MSI STEM Achievement Act, aims to support Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in their efforts to increase the participation of underrepresented minority students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The bill recognizes the important role that MSIs play in providing access to higher education for minority students and seeks to provide them with the resources and support needed to excel in STEM fields.

The MSI STEM Achievement Act establishes a grant program that will provide funding to MSIs to support initiatives that increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of minority students in STEM disciplines. The bill also includes provisions for professional development opportunities for faculty and staff at MSIs, as well as funding for research and innovation in STEM fields.

Additionally, the bill requires the National Science Foundation to conduct a study on the effectiveness of programs aimed at increasing minority participation in STEM fields and to report its findings to Congress. This study will help to inform future efforts to support minority students in STEM education. Overall, the MSI STEM Achievement Act is a bipartisan effort to address the disparities in STEM education and workforce representation among minority students. By providing funding and support to MSIs, the bill aims to increase diversity and representation in STEM fields, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and innovative workforce.