H.R. 10424: Equity in Research Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill would create a new National Science Foundation grant program to help certain colleges and universities improve their research capacity and facilities.

What the program would do

The NSF Director would be required to set up a grant program for eligible institutions of higher education. The goal is to support and strengthen research and development at schools that have historically had fewer resources for research infrastructure.

Who could receive grants

The bill limits eligibility to these types of institutions:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Hispanic-serving institutions
Tribal colleges
Native Hawaiian-serving institutions
Predominantly Black institutions
Native American-serving, nontribal institutions
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions
Other minority-serving institutions
1890 land-grant universities
1994 land-grant institutions

What the money could be used for

Schools that receive grants could use the funding for research-related improvements, including:

Upgrading or improving existing buildings
Buying materials and equipment needed for research
Maintaining research-related building infrastructure
Paying personnel costs tied directly to planning, managing, maintaining, or operating research activities

Grant size and funding

The bill says NSF could award grants of between $1 million and $5 million to eligible institutions, depending on what the NSF Director considers appropriate. It also authorizes $50 million per year for fiscal year 2027 and each year after that to carry out the program.

Overall effect

In practical terms, the bill would provide targeted federal funding to certain minority-serving and other specified colleges and universities so they can improve research facilities, buy equipment, and support the staff and infrastructure needed to conduct research. The intended result is to help those schools build stronger long-term research programs.