Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025

This bill would set up a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program to help more women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities get into and stay in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Grants would be awarded competitively to eligible organizations. Funds could support online workshops, mentoring that pairs STEM professionals with students, internships for college and graduate students, outreach in K–12 schools, and programs to recruit and keep underrepresented faculty, plus other efforts the NSF approves. It allows up to $15 million per year for this program from 2026 through 2030. The bill also defines who is included, covering a wide range of racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming people, and people with disabilities as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The bill cites data showing these groups are still underrepresented in STEM degrees and jobs and often leave STEM at higher rates, which the program aims to address.

Key points:

• Who is affected: K–12 students, college and grad students, underrepresented faculty, and people from the groups listed above, including people with disabilities.
• What changes: NSF will run a competitive grant program funding mentoring, internships, online workshops, K–12 outreach, and faculty recruitment and retention programs.
• When: Funding is allowed for fiscal years 2026–2030, up to $15 million each year.