Sponsors (4)
The bill expands and funds international education and exchange programs to build critical‑minerals workforce and research capacity—strengthening supply chains and diplomacy—but imposes a modest long‑term federal cost, concentrates resources toward mining priorities (and certain partner countries), and creates funding and sunset risks that could disrupt programs if not renewed.
Students and prospective engineers will receive funded international fellowships, exchanges, and advanced training that reduce financial barriers and expand educational opportunities.
U.S. mining and critical‑minerals employers and downstream industries gain a larger, better-trained domestic talent pipeline, easing recruitment and strengthening supply‑chain resilience.
U.S. universities and research programs gain visiting scholars, curriculum support, and collaborative R&D that build institutional capacity and expand technical expertise.
Taxpayers will fund the programs — an estimated $10 million per year ($100 million over 10 years) plus administrative costs — which competes with other budget priorities.
Resources and exchange opportunities could be diverted from other cultural, humanities, or domestic training programs toward mining and critical‑minerals priorities.
Funding and program continuity face uncertainty because of reliance on presidential determinations, foreign agreements, Secretary of State discretion, and the 10‑year sunset, risking interruptions or shifts in focus.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Introduced January 12, 2026 by Jacklyn Sheryl Rosen · Last progress January 12, 2026
Creates two new Fulbright-style exchange programs to boost U.S. mining and critical-minerals workforce capacity: a fellowship program that sends U.S. students for study, research, internships, and professional development at approved foreign mining programs; and a visiting scholars program that brings foreign mining academics and professionals to U.S. colleges and universities. Authorizes up to $10 million per year for 2026–2035 to run both programs, requires annual reporting on cohorts and lessons learned, adds definitions and technical updates to existing exchange law, and sunsets the whole law after 10 years.