Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1534
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:05:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025" aims to boost the involvement of women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, gender-nonconforming people, and persons with disabilities—groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)—in both STEM education and careers. It addresses disparities in degrees earned, job employment, and retention rates by funding targeted programs.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: The bill outlines data from sources like the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Academies, and U.S. Census Bureau, highlighting underrepresentation. For example:
- Women earn fewer STEM degrees in fields like engineering (24%) compared to men and are less likely to stay in STEM jobs (44% retention after 10 years vs. 70% for men).
- Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, certain Asian subgroups (e.g., Cambodian, Hmong), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ individuals receive disproportionately few STEM degrees and hold fewer STEM jobs relative to their population share.
- Persons with disabilities make up 3% of the STEM workforce, below their 9% share of the general population.
- Grant Program: The NSF Director will award competitive grants to eligible entities (e.g., educational institutions, nonprofits) to support activities increasing STEM participation among targeted groups.
- Authorized Activities include:
- Online workshops.
- Mentoring pairing STEM professionals with students.
- Internships for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Outreach to elementary and secondary students to build early interest in STEM.
- Efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented faculty.
- Other programs approved by the NSF.
- Application Process: Entities apply to the NSF with details on proposed activities.
- Definitions:
- Minority: Includes American Indian/Alaska Native, Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic/Latino, Asian (including underrepresented subgroups), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, other underrepresented ethnic groups, LGBTQ+, or gender-nonconforming individuals.
- Person with a Disability: Defined by the U.S. Census Bureau's survey as someone with one or more disability types (e.g., mobility, sensory, cognitive).
- Underrepresented in Science and Engineering: A minority group with far fewer scientists and engineers per 10,000 people compared to White non-Hispanic individuals.
- Funding: Authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new grant program under the NSF, adding dedicated funding and specific activities to promote diversity in STEM. It does not amend or repeal existing laws but builds on broader NSF authorities by targeting underrepresented groups with tailored initiatives. Previously, federal STEM support (e.g., via NSF grants) existed but lacked this focused emphasis on retention, outreach, and inclusion for these demographics.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The NSF will administer the program, requiring additional resources for grant reviews and oversight, potentially enhancing its role in workforce diversity efforts.
- Citizens: Underrepresented students and professionals may gain better access to education, mentoring, and jobs, leading to a more diverse STEM workforce. This could improve innovation, as diverse teams are shown to innovate more effectively.
- International Relations: By strengthening U.S. STEM diversity and competitiveness, the bill could indirectly bolster the nation's global standing in technology and science, aiding economic and diplomatic influence.
- Broader effects include reduced workforce disparities and higher retention in STEM, potentially increasing overall U.S. innovation rates.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Underrepresented Groups: Women, racial/ethnic minorities (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, certain Asian and Pacific Islander subgroups), LGBTQ+ individuals, gender-nonconforming people, and persons with disabilities—who stand to benefit from increased opportunities.
- Educational Institutions: Universities, schools, and nonprofits eligible for grants to run programs, including faculty recruitment.
- Students and Professionals: K-12 to graduate-level participants in outreach, internships, and mentoring.
- NSF and Federal Agencies: Responsible for implementation and funding allocation.
- Employers in STEM Industries: Could see a larger, more diverse talent pool over time.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The program uses competitive grants, ensuring broad access while focusing on equity; definitions align with federal standards (e.g., Census data) to avoid ambiguity in eligibility.
- Constitutional: Promotes equal opportunity under the Equal Protection Clause by addressing documented disparities, but could face scrutiny if seen as preferential treatment—though it targets voluntary programs without quotas.
- Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of senators (though primarily Democrats), it emphasizes data-driven equity in STEM, potentially advancing national competitiveness goals amid debates on diversity initiatives. No mandates on private entities, keeping it focused on federal education support.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (10 pages)