S. 1534: Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025

This bill, referred to as the "Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025," aims to enhance the involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The key components of the bill are as follows:

Program Overview

The legislation proposes the establishment of a competitive grant program through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support various initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM education and careers.

Target Demographics

The bill focuses on several groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM, including:

• Women
• Black and African American individuals
• Hispanic and Latino individuals
• American Indian and Alaska Native individuals
• Individuals with disabilities
• Individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer)
• Gender-nonconforming individuals

Grant Purpose and Activities

The funds from the grants will be used for activities designed to increase the participation and retention of the target groups in STEM fields. Eligible entities, such as educational institutions or organizations, can use the grants for various initiatives, which may include:

• Online workshops to enhance relevant skills
• Mentoring programs that connect students with STEM professionals
• Internships for students at different levels of education
• Outreach programs targeting K-12 students to raise awareness of STEM careers
• Efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented faculty in STEM
• Any additional programs deemed relevant by the NSF Director

Funding and Administration

The legislation authorizes the appropriation of $15 million annually for the fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these initiatives. The allocation and distribution of the funds will be managed by the NSF, which will oversee the grant application process and program implementation.

Findings Supporting the Bill

The bill refers to various studies and statistics highlighting the lack of diversity in STEM fields. Notably:

• Women hold lesser degrees in specific STEM fields compared to their male counterparts.
• Underrepresented minorities earn a smaller percentage of STEM degrees relative to their population size.
• Diverse teams in STEM are shown to be more innovative.
• Retention rates for women and minorities in STEM professions are significantly lower than for white males.

Definitions

For the purposes of the bill, key terms are defined as follows:

• Minority: Refers to individuals from American Indian, Alaskan Native, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander backgrounds, as well as those who identify as LGBTQ or gender-nonconforming.
• Person with a disability: An individual having one or more disabilities as recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Underrepresented in science and engineering: A group with a significantly lower number of scientists and engineers relative to their population size compared to White, non-Hispanic individuals.

Relevant Companies