Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9177
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T22:05:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill establishes a new demonstration program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve mentorship for faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. It also strengthens reporting requirements related to misconduct in research settings.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Demonstration Program: The NSF Director may award competitive grants to colleges, universities, nonprofits, or groups of these organizations. Funded projects can focus on training mentors, adopting proven mentorship methods, studying ways to improve mentoring, teaching cultural awareness skills, and supporting outreach efforts.
- Priority for Certain Institutions: Special consideration is given to applications from minority-serving colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges, rural institutions, emerging research universities, and partnerships involving these schools.
- Evaluation and Reporting: Within five years, the NSF must submit a report to Congress assessing whether the program improves mentorship quality. If effective, the report must include a plan to continue the program permanently.
- Funding: Up to $5 million per year is authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
- Misconduct Reporting Update: Institutions and the NSF must include processes for handling reports of harassment, discrimination, and other professional or scientific misconduct as part of existing research integrity requirements.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced The bill amends Section 10313 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to add the mentorship demonstration program. It also updates Section 7009 of the America COMPETES Act by expanding required reporting topics to explicitly cover harassment, discrimination, and misconduct processes.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The NSF would gain new grant-making responsibilities and reporting duties, with modest additional funding authorized over five years.
- On Citizens and Institutions: Colleges and universities, particularly those serving underrepresented groups, could receive resources to strengthen mentoring support for early-career researchers. This may help improve retention and success in STEM fields.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are specified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The National Science Foundation
- Institutions of higher education, especially minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges, and rural schools
- Faculty members, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in STEM
- Nonprofit organizations involved in science education or research support
- Congressional committees overseeing science policy and appropriations
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation operates within Congress’s authority to fund and direct federal science agencies. It emphasizes support for diverse institutions without creating new regulatory mandates beyond grant conditions and reporting updates. The five-year evaluation requirement provides a built-in mechanism to assess results before any permanent expansion.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving Mentorship in STEM Higher Education Act — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (5 pages)