MSI STEM Achievement Act

5/11/2023, 3:45 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2027

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.

Congressional Summary of HR 2027

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.

Current Status of Bill HR 2027

Bill HR 2027 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 18, 2021. Bill HR 2027 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on March 18, 2021.  Bill HR 2027's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of May 19, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2027

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
26
Democrat Cosponsors
18
Republican Cosponsors
8
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2027

Primary Policy Focus

Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact Areas

Academic performance and assessmentsCongressional oversightEducation programs fundingGovernment information and archivesHigher educationMinority educationMinority employmentPerformance measurementPublic-private cooperationResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentScience and engineering educationTeaching, teachers, curricula

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2027

MSI STEM Achievement ActMSI STEM Achievement ActMSI STEM Achievement ActTo direct Federal science agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the Nation’s HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, and for other purposes.MSI STEM Achievement ActTo direct Federal science agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, and for other purposes.
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