H.R. 4048

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To require the Director of the National Science Foundation to establish a program to award grants for certain STEM apprenticeship programs, require an interagency task force to submit a report regarding certain programs of the Federal Government focused primarily on career development and training in STEM, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · June 17, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Rivas

Table of contents

• H.R. 4048
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Grant program to establish certain STEM apprenticeship programs; Interagency Task Force

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the STEM Pathways for the Future Act.

SEC. 2. Grant program to establish certain STEM apprenticeship programs; Interagency Task Force

• (a) Grant program To establish certain STEM apprenticeship programs
  • The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 () is amended by inserting after section 8 the following new section: Public Law 107–368
    • (a) In general
      • Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible recipients to establish STEM apprenticeship programs that are not carried out by four-year institutions of higher education (in this section referred to as the ). Program
    • (b) Application
      • An eligible recipient that seeks a grant under the Program shall submit to the Director an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require.
    • (c) Awards
      • In awarding grants under the Program, the Director shall give preference to priority recipients over eligible recipients that are not priority recipients.
    • (d) Permissible use of funds
      • As determined appropriate by the Director, a recipient of a grant awarded under the Program may obligate or expend grants funds for the following activities:
        • Recruiting participants to a STEM apprenticeship program established under the Program.
        • Planning and technical assistance to improve such apprenticeship program.
        • Incorporating emerging technology into such apprenticeship program.
        • Entering such apprenticeship program into a consortium with, or establishing an advisory board for such apprenticeship program that is composed of, one or more private sector entities in STEM.
        • Any other activity as the Director may determine.
    • (e) Impermissible use of funds
      • A recipient of a grant awarded under the Program may not obligate or expend grant funds for recruitment, inducement, or associated financial or tangible incentives that might be offered to relocate an existing business from a geographic area to another geographic area.
    • (f) Definitions
      • In this section:
        • The term eligible recipient means any of the following:
        • The term priority recipient means any of the following:
        • The term STEM means the study or practice of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
• (b) Interagency Task Force
  • (1) Composition
    • There is established an interagency task force (in this subsection referred to as the ) composed of eight members as follows: Task Force
      • The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
      • The Director of the National Science Foundation.
      • The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
      • The Secretary of Commerce.
      • The Secretary of Education.
      • The Secretary of Energy.
      • The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
      • The Secretary of Labor.
  • (2) Report
    • Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Task Force shall submit to Congress a report that includes information relating to an identification of each program of the Federal Government that satisfies the following requirements:
      • Is focused primarily on career development and training in STEM.
      • Is carried out through any of the following:
        • (i) An apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; ). National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.
        • (ii) A community college (as such term is defined in section 4 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 ( note)). 42 U.S.C. 1862n
        • (iii) A minority-serving institution (as such term is defined in section 10002 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ()). 42 U.S.C. 18901
  • (3) Termination
    • The Task Force shall terminate upon submission of the report under paragraph (2).