Humanitarian Tech Corps Act

12/9/2024, 3:54 PM

Humanitarian Tech Corps Act

This bill establishes a grant program for colleges and universities to offer scholarships to students studying computer science, technology, and related topics, and who will seek post-graduate employment with a federal humanitarian agency or partner organization. Scholarships shall cover tuition and fees for up to four years of a degree program and provide a separate living stipend. The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall administer the grant program in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

As a condition of the scholarship, recipients who have completed their degree program must work at USAID, another federal humanitarian agency, or an approved non-governmental partner to USAID for a period at least equal to the duration of the scholarship. If a scholarship recipient fails to complete their degree or maintain the required post-graduation employment, the recipient shall repay some or all of the scholarship funds. Following completion of the employment obligation, a recipient’s federal appointment may be converted to a career or term appointment.

Bill 118 s 5331, also known as the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of establishing a new government agency focused on utilizing technology for humanitarian purposes. The bill proposes the creation of the Humanitarian Tech Corps, which would be responsible for developing and implementing innovative technological solutions to address global humanitarian crises.

The main objectives of the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act include providing technical assistance to humanitarian organizations, governments, and communities in need, as well as promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to leverage technology for humanitarian purposes. The bill also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the use of technology in humanitarian efforts is ethical, transparent, and respects human rights.

If passed, the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act would allocate funding for the establishment and operation of the new agency, as well as for research and development of new technologies to support humanitarian efforts. The bill also includes provisions for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the agency's work, as well as for reporting to Congress on its activities and outcomes. Overall, the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act seeks to harness the power of technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid efforts, and to better respond to the needs of vulnerable populations around the world.
Congress
118

Number
S - 5331

Introduced on
2024-11-14

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

11/14/2024

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Humanitarian Tech Corps Act

This bill establishes a grant program for colleges and universities to offer scholarships to students studying computer science, technology, and related topics, and who will seek post-graduate employment with a federal humanitarian agency or partner organization. Scholarships shall cover tuition and fees for up to four years of a degree program and provide a separate living stipend. The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall administer the grant program in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

As a condition of the scholarship, recipients who have completed their degree program must work at USAID, another federal humanitarian agency, or an approved non-governmental partner to USAID for a period at least equal to the duration of the scholarship. If a scholarship recipient fails to complete their degree or maintain the required post-graduation employment, the recipient shall repay some or all of the scholarship funds. Following completion of the employment obligation, a recipient’s federal appointment may be converted to a career or term appointment.

Bill 118 s 5331, also known as the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of establishing a new government agency focused on utilizing technology for humanitarian purposes. The bill proposes the creation of the Humanitarian Tech Corps, which would be responsible for developing and implementing innovative technological solutions to address global humanitarian crises.

The main objectives of the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act include providing technical assistance to humanitarian organizations, governments, and communities in need, as well as promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to leverage technology for humanitarian purposes. The bill also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the use of technology in humanitarian efforts is ethical, transparent, and respects human rights.

If passed, the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act would allocate funding for the establishment and operation of the new agency, as well as for research and development of new technologies to support humanitarian efforts. The bill also includes provisions for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the agency's work, as well as for reporting to Congress on its activities and outcomes. Overall, the Humanitarian Tech Corps Act seeks to harness the power of technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid efforts, and to better respond to the needs of vulnerable populations around the world.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to create a National Science Foundation scholarship-for-service Humanitarian Tech Corps, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Comments

APPROVED
DG
Damari Goldberg
@blackberry_baguette_blood_orange51993
This bill is so confusing. What's gonna happen next?

APPROVED
RB
Ray Boyle
@hamburger_bun_chamomile_tangerine64420
OMG this bill is so amazing! I can't believe this is finally happening! I'm so excited for this to pass and make a real difference in the world. It's about time we have something like this in place. I can't wait to see the impact it has on our countr...

Recent Activity

Latest Summary12/9/2024

Humanitarian Tech Corps Act

This bill establishes a grant program for colleges and universities to offer scholarships to students studying computer science, technology, and related topics, and who will seek post-graduate emp...


Latest Action11/14/2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.