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116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-269
======================================================================
MSI STEM ACHIEVEMENT ACT
_______
November 5, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Johnson of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4372]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 4372) to direct Federal science
agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to
undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate
STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the
Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Amendment.......................................................2
II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
IV. Committee Hearings..............................................6
V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................7
VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................7
VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............7
VIII. Committee Views.................................................8
IX. Cost Estimate...................................................9
X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................9
XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)...........12
XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............12
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........12
XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................12
XV. Duplication of Federal Programs................................12
XVI. Earmark Identification.........................................12
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch........................12
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........12
XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported..........13
XX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................13
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``MSI STEM Achievement Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Evidence suggests that the supply of STEM workers is not
keeping pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the public and
private sector, resulting in a deficit often referred to as a
STEM skills shortage.
(2) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United
States will need one million additional STEM professionals than
it is on track to produce in the coming decade.
(3) STEM occupations offer higher wages, more opportunities
for advancement, and a higher degree of job security than non-
STEM occupations.
(4) The composition of the STEM workforce does not reflect
the current or projected diversity of the Nation, with
Hispanics, African Americans, and other racial and ethnic
minorities, significantly underrepresented in the STEM
workforce compared to their presence in the workforce more
generally.
(5) A stronger national commitment to increasing the
diversity of the STEM workforce is needed to help address the
STEM skills shortage.
(6) According to a 2019 National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine report entitled ``Minority Serving
Institutions: America's Underutilized Resource for
Strengthening the STEM Workforce'', two- and four-year minority
serving institutions enroll nearly 30 percent of all
undergraduate students--a percentage that is expected to grow
in the coming years--in the United States higher education
system and play a critical role in providing important pathways
to STEM-related education, training, and careers for students
of color.
(7) HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs are highly successful at educating
underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and can serve
as best practice models for other colleges and universities to
further expand participation of underrepresented minorities in
the STEM workforce.
(8) Increased investment in STEM infrastructure at HBCUs,
TCUs, and MSIs has the potential to increase these
institutions' ability to educate even more students in the STEM
disciplines.
(9) With the demand for STEM skills exceeding the supply of
STEM graduates, success of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in educating
and training science and engineering leaders is increasingly
important for United States economic growth and
competitiveness.
SEC. 3. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall report to Congress--
(1) an inventory of competitive funding programs and
initiatives carried out by Federal science agencies that are
targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs or partnerships with HBCUs,
TCUs, and MSIs;
(2) an assessment of Federal science agency outreach
activities to increase the participation and competitiveness of
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in the funding programs and initiatives
identified in paragraph (1); and
(3) recommendations of the Comptroller General to increase
the participation of and the rate of success of HBCUs, TCUs,
and MSIs in competitive funding programs offered by Federal
science agencies.
SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND CAPACITY BUILDING.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher
education or nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof) to--
(1) conduct research described in subsection (b) with respect
to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
(2) conduct activities described in subsection (c) to build
the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to graduate students who
are competitive in attaining and advancing in the STEM
workforce;
(3) build the research capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs,
TCUs, and MSIs in STEM disciplines; and
(4) identify and broadly disseminate effective models for
programs and practices at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs that promote
the education and workforce preparation of minority students
pursuing STEM studies and careers in which such students are
underrepresented.
(b) Research.--Research described in this subsection is research on
the contribution of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to the education and training
of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and to the meeting
of national STEM workforce needs, including--
(1) the diversity with respect to local context, cultural
differences, and institutional structure among HBCUs, TCUs, and
MSIs and any associated impact on education and research
endeavors;
(2) effective practices at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and
associated outcomes on student recruitment, retention, and
advancement in STEM fields, including the ability for students
to compete for fellowships, employment, and advancement in the
workforce;
(3) contributions made by HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to local,
regional, and national workforces;
(4) the unique challenges and opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs,
and MSIs in attaining the resources needed for integrating
effective practices in STEM education, including providing
research experiences for underrepresented minority students;
(5) the access of students at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to STEM
infrastructure and any associated outcomes for STEM competency;
(6) models of STEM curriculum, learning, and teaching
successful at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs for increasing
participation, retention, and success of underrepresented
minority students; and
(7) successful or promising partnerships between HBCUs, TCUs,
and MSIs and other institutions of higher education, private
sector and non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, and
international research institutions.
(c) Capacity Building.--Activities described in this subsection
include the design, development, implementation, expansion, and
assessment of--
(1) metrics of success to best capture the achievements of
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and students of such institutions to
account for institutional context and missions, faculty
investment, student populations, student needs, and
institutional resource constraints;
(2) enhancements to undergraduate STEM curriculum at HBCUs,
TCUs, and MSIs to increase the participation, retention, degree
completion, and success of underrepresented students;
(3) professional development programs to increase the numbers
and the high-quality preparation of STEM faculty at HBCUs,
TCUs, and MSIs, including programs to encourage STEM doctoral
students to teach at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
(4) mechanisms for institutions of higher education that are
not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs to partner with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
on STEM education, including the facilitation of student
transfer, mentoring programs for students and junior faculty,
joint research projects, and student access to graduate
education.
(d) Research Experiences.--Grants under this section may fund the
development or expansion of opportunities for the exchange of students
and faculty to conduct research, including through partnerships with
institutions of higher education that are not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs,
private sector and non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, and
international research institutions.
(e) Partnerships.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Director of the National Science Foundation shall--
(1) encourage HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and consortia thereof and
partnerships with one or more HBCU, TCU, or MSI, to submit
proposals;
(2) require proposals submitted in partnership with one or
more HBCU, TCU, or MSI include a plan for establishing a
sustained partnership that is jointly developed and managed,
draws from the capacities of each institution, and is mutually
beneficial; and
(3) encourage proposals submitted in partnership with the
private sector, non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories,
and international research institutions, as appropriate.
(f) MSI Centers of Innovation.--Grants under this section may fund
the establishment of no more than five MSI Centers of Innovation to
leverage successes of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in STEM education and
research training of underrepresented minority students as models for
other institutions, including both HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and
institutions of higher education that are not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs.
Such centers will be located on campuses of selected institutions of
higher education and serve as incubators to allow institutions of
higher education to experiment, pilot, evaluate, and scale up promising
practices.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation
$170,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021,
$180,000,000 for fiscal year FY 2022, $185,000,000 for fiscal year
2023, and $190,000,000 fiscal year 2024 to carry out this section.
SEC. 5. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) In General.--In consultation with outside stakeholders and the
heads of the Federal science agencies, the Director shall develop a
uniform set of policy guidelines for Federal science agencies to carry
out a sustained program of outreach activities to increase clarity,
transparency, and accountability for Federal science agency investments
in STEM education and research activities at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
(b) Outreach Activities.--In developing policy guidelines under
subsection (a) the Director shall include guidelines that require each
Federal science agency--
(1) to designate a liaison for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
responsible for--
(A) enhancing direct communication with HBCUs, TCUs,
and MSIs to increase the Federal science agency's
understanding of the capacity and needs of such
institutions and to raise awareness of available
Federal funding opportunities at such institutions;
(B) coordinating programs, activities, and
initiatives while accounting for the capacity and needs
of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
(C) tracking Federal science agency investments in
and engagement with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
(D) reporting progress toward increasing
participation of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in grant
programs;
(2) to publish annual forecasts of funding opportunities and
proposal deadlines, including for grants, contracts,
subcontracts, and cooperative agreements;
(3) to conduct on-site reviews of research facilities at
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, as practicable, and make recommendations
regarding strategies for becoming more competitive in research;
(4) to hold geographically accessible or virtual workshops on
research priorities of the Federal science agency and on how to
write competitive grant proposals;
(5) to ensure opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
directly communicate with Federal science agency officials
responsible for managing competitive grant programs in order to
receive feedback on research ideas and proposals, including
guidance on the Federal science agency's peer review process;
(6) to foster mutually beneficial public-private
collaboration among Federal science agencies, industry, Federal
laboratories, academia, and nonprofit organizations to--
(A) identify alternative sources of funding for STEM
education and research at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
(B) provide access to high-quality, relevant research
experiences for students and faculty of HBCUs, TCUs,
and MSIs;
(C) expand the professional networks of students and
faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
(D) broaden STEM educational opportunities for
students and faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
(E) support the transition of students of HBCUs,
TCUs, and MSIs into the STEM workforce; and
(7) to publish an annual report that provides an account of
Federal science agency investments in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs,
including data on the level of participation of HBCUs, TCUs,
and MSIs as prime recipients/contractors or subrecipients/
subcontractors.
(c) Strategic Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director, in collaboration with the
head of each Federal science agency, shall submit to Congress a
report containing a strategic plan for each Federal science
agency to increase the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative
agreements and to encourage HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
participate in Federal programs.
(2) Considerations.--In developing a strategic plan under
paragraph (1), the Director and each head of each Federal
science agency shall consider--
(A) issuing new or expanding existing funding
opportunities targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
(B) modifying existing research and development
program solicitations to incentivize effective
partnerships with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
(C) offering planning grants for HBCUs, TCUs, and
MSIs to develop or equip grant offices with the
requisite depth of knowledge to submit competitive
grant proposals and manage awarded grants;
(D) offering additional training programs and
individualized and timely guidance to grant officers
and faculty researchers at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
ensure they understand the requirements for an
effective grant proposal; and
(E) other approaches for making current competitive
funding models more accessible for under-resourced
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Director shall
report to Congress on the implementation by Federal science agencies of
the policy guidelines developed under this section.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(2) Federal laboratory.--The term ``Federal laboratory'' has
the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Stevenson-
Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703).
(3) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science
agency'' means any Federal agency with an annual extramural
research expenditure of over $100,000,000.
(4) HBCU.--The term ``HBCU'' has the meaning given the term
``part B institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution
of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001).
(6) Minority serving institution.--The term ``minority
serving institution'' or ``MSI'' means Hispanic-Serving
Institutions as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C 1101a); Alaska Native Serving
Institutions and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions as
defined in section 317 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1059d); and Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian
American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving
Institutions, and Native American-Serving Nontribal
Institutions as defined in section 371 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)).
(7) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' has the meaning given the term
in the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.).
(8) TCU.--The term ``TCU'' has the meaning given the term
``Tribal College or University'' in section 316 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).
II. Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of the bill is to direct Federal science
agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to
undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate
STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the
Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
III. Background and Need for the Legislation
As industries across all sectors become increasingly
reliant on advanced technologies, the demand for STEM skills is
at an all-time high. There are not enough graduates who are
prepared to enter the workforce equipped with the STEM
knowledge and skills employers need. The Bureau of Labor
Statistics predicts a significant shortage of STEM workers in
the coming decade. One of the key challenges facing the U.S.
science and engineering enterprise is a lack of diversity in
the STEM workforce.
Demographic shifts in the U.S. population are approaching
an inflection point. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by
2045, white Americans will no longer comprise the majority of
the population. During that year, non-Hispanic whites will
comprise 49.7 percent of the population, while Hispanics will
comprise 24.6 percent, African Americans 13.1 percent, Asians
7.9 percent, and multiracial populations 3.8 percent. Although
the Nation as a whole is diversifying, the STEM workforce has
been slow to respond.
Compared with their proportions in the U.S. population,
members of racial and ethnic minority groups are significantly
underrepresented in the STEM workforce. While the
representation of American Indians in STEM occupations
increased from 1993 (0.2 percent) to 2006 (0.4 percent), that
progress was reversed and only 0.2 percent of STEM occupations
were held by American Indians in 2015. While Hispanic
employment in STEM occupations has steadily increased (from 2.9
to 6 percent) from 1993 to 2015, progress for African Americans
has been much slower (from 3.6 to 4.8 percent).
Underrepresented minority students have long been an
untapped resource for U.S. science and technology capacity, but
as the Nation becomes more diverse the Nation can no longer
afford to ignore this valuable source of STEM talent. MSIs have
a proven track record of recruiting, retaining, and graduating
students from underrepresented groups with the STEM skills
employers need. However, more investment and outreach is needed
to enable MSIs to fully realize their potential to contribute
to the STEM workforce.
The National Academy of Sciences released a 2018 report
entitled ``Minority Serving Institutions: America's
Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce''
that highlights MSI contributions to the STEM workforce.
Included in the Committee's recommendations was a call for
funding agencies to continue to develop and expand grant
competition programs that serve the nations MSIs.
IV. Committee Hearings
On May 9, 2019, the full Committee held a hearing entitled,
``Achieving the Promise of a Diverse STEM Workforce.'' The
purpose of the hearing was to explore the need for a diverse
STEM workforce and assess the lessons learned, model programs,
enduring challenges, and future opportunities for expanding
access to STEM studies and careers.
Five witnesses testified: (1) Dr. Mae Jemison, Principal,
100 Year Starship. Dr. Jemison provided testimony on a National
Academies of Science study underway to examine ``the evidence
behind the most successful policies, practices, and strategies
that have demonstrated effectiveness in opening doors to
women's participation and success'' in STEM. (2) Dr. Shirley
Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change, American
Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Malcom provided
testimony on the SEA Change initiative and other AAAS
activities in support of increasing diversity in STEM. (3) Dr.
Lorelle Espinosa, Vice President for Research, American Council
on Education. Dr. Espinosa provided testimony on the findings
and recommendations of the 2018 National Academies of Science
report entitled Minority Serving Institutions: America's
Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce.
(4) Dr. James L. Moore III, Vice Provost for Diversity and
Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, The Ohio State
University. Dr. Moore provided testimony on activities at The
Ohio State University institution to address the issue of
diversity and the role that public and land-grant universities
play in broadening participation in STEM. (5) Ms. Barbara Whye,
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Vice President of Human
Resources, Intel. Ms. Whye provided testimony on efforts
underway at Intel to increase the diversity of its workforce.
V. Committee Consideration and Votes
On September 18, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and
Representative Michael Waltz introduced H.R. 4372, the MSI STEM
Achievement Act. The bill was referred to the House Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology.
On September 25, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology met to consider H.R. 4372. Ms. Johnson offered an
amendment to include an authorization of appropriations for NSF
to carry out the activities in the Act for fiscal years 2020-
2024. The amendment was agreed to on a voice vote. Ms. Johnson
moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 4372,
to the House with the recommendation that the bill be approved.
The motion was agreed to by a voice vote.
VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill
H.R. 4372 directs GAO to compile an inventory of
competitive Federal funding programs that are targeted to
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and make recommendations for what steps
Federal science agencies can take to increase participation and
competitiveness of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in such programs. The
Act also provides for research on the challenges and
opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to contribute to the
STEM workforce and support for effective mechanisms to build
the research and STEM education capacity of such institutions.
The Act directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy
to work with Federal science agencies to develop and implement
a national strategy to increase clarity, transparency, and
accountability for Federal science agency investments in
research and STEM education at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)
Section 1. Short title
MSI STEM Achievement Act
Section 2. Findings
Summarizes the need for increased investment to build on
the success HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs have had in recruiting,
retaining, and graduating underrepresented minority students
who are ready to enter the STEM workforce.
Section 3. Government Accountability Office Review
Directs GAO to report to Congress an inventory of Federal
science agency competitive funding programs targeted to MSIs.
Also directs GAO to assess Federal science agency outreach to
MSIs and make recommendations for steps agencies can take to
increase the participation and competitiveness of MSIs in such
programs.
Section 4. Research and capacity building
Directs NSF to support research on the challenges and
successes MSIs have had in contributing to the STEM workforce.
Also directs NSF to support research focused on building the
research capacity of MSIs, encouraging mutually beneficial
partnerships, and scaling up successful model programs for use
by other universities. Authorizes $170,000,000 for fiscal year
2020, $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $180,000,000 for
fiscal year 2022, $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, and
$190,000,000 fiscal year 2024 for NSF to carry out this
section.
Section 5. Agency responsibilities
Directs OSTP to issue uniform policy guidance for Federal
science agencies to improve outreach to MSIs with the goal of
increasing awareness among MSIs of funding opportunities and
building MSI capacity to submit competitive proposals and
manage awarded grants. Also directs OSTP to work with Federal
science agencies to develop a strategic plan for how to modify
existing or develop new programs or processes to make Federal
STEM education and research funding more accessible to MSIs.
Section 6. Definitions
Defines terms used in the bill.
VIII. Committee Views
It is the intent of the Committee that for the purposes of
this Act, MSIs include Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska
Native-Serving Institutions, Native Hawaiian-Serving
Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American
and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and
Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions. The Committee
recognizes that each HBCU, TCU, and MSI cohort has distinct
strengths and challenges and the Committee encourages OSTP and
Federal science agencies to carry out the activities of the Act
while accounting for the diversity among these institutions
with respect to local context, cultural differences,
organizational structure, student populations, and
institutional mission priorities.
In carrying out the activities in the Act, the Committee
expects NSF to support its existing portfolio of STEM education
and research programs targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs at
funding levels no lower than those in fiscal year 2019. The
Committee has provided the Director with the flexibility to use
the additional funds provided in this Act to expand upon
existing programs or create a new grant program as needed to
fully achieve the goals and requirements of the Act.
The Committee encourages OSTP to issue guidelines for
Federal science agencies to foster mutually beneficial public-
private collaboration among government, industry, Federal
laboratories, academia, and nonprofit organizations to--promote
local economic development by making available to private
companies, at reasonable cost, MSI facilities, such as wet
labs, machine shops and clean rooms, as well as faculty and
researchers as paid professional consultants to assist
companies in growing their businesses; engage private sector
STEM experts as instructors or co-instructors of classes to
bring real-world experiences and examples to students; engage
private sector STEM experts as mentors or co-mentors of
students; place students in private sector internships and
apprenticeships; and create entrepreneurship programs that
promote faculty and student creation of private companies.
IX. Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974.
X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, November 1, 2019.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Chairwoman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4372, the MSI STEM
Achievement Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani
Shankaran.
Sincerely,
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director.
Enclosure.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Bill Summary: H.R. 4372 would authorize the appropriation
of $900 million over the 2020-2024 period for the National
Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to improve the
capacity of minority-serving institutions (MSIs) of higher
education--including historically black colleges and
universities and tribal colleges and universities--to educate
and train students in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) fields.
The bill also would direct the Office of Science and
Technology Policy to develop a uniform set of policy guidelines
and a strategic plan for certain federal agencies to improve
outreach to MSIs and to increase the capacity of MSIs to
compete for federal grants and participate in federal programs.
Finally, the bill would require the Government Accountability
Office to develop an inventory of federal funding programs
targeted toward MSIs.
Estimated Federal Cost: The estimated budgetary effect of
H.R. 4372 is shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation
fall primarily within budget function 250 (general science,
space, and technology).
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 4372
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2020-2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Science Foundation
Authorizationa...................................... 14 175 180 185 190 744
Estimated Outlays................................... 2 26 86 133 162 409
Other Activities:
Estimated Authorization............................. 1 1 1 1 1 5
Estimated Outlays................................... 1 1 1 1 1 5
Total Changes:
Estimated Authorization......................... 15 176 181 186 191 749
Estimated Outlays............................... 3 27 87 134 163 414
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
aH.R. 4372 would authorize the appropriation of $170 million in 2020 for the National Science Foundation (NSF)
to award grants. However, using information from the NSF, CBO estimates that $156 million has been allocated
on an annualized basis from funds made available under the continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59), which
provided appropriations through November 21, 2019. Thus, the estimated authorization for 2020 ($14 million) is
equal to the specified amount ($170 million) minus the annualized amount from the continuing resolution ($156
million).
Basis of Estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the
legislation will be enacted in early 2020 and that the
authorized and necessary amounts will be provided in each year.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4372 would cost $414
million over the 2020-2024 period.
National Science Foundation: Section 4 of the bill would
authorize the appropriation of $170 million in 2020 and a total
of $900 million over the 2020-2024 period for the NSF to award
grants to improve the capacity of MSIs to educate and train
students in STEM fields. In 2019, the NSF allocated $156
million for those purposes. Because CBO scores continuing
resolutions on an annualized basis, in 2020 CBO assumes that
the NSF will allocate the same amount from funds made available
under the current continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59). As
a result, CBO estimates that H.R. 4372 would authorize an
increase in spending subject to appropriation in 2020 of $14
million, the difference between the authorized amount and the
annualized amount under the continuing resolution. Based on
historical spending patterns for the affected grants, CBO
estimates that implementing section 4 would cost $409 million
over the 2020-2024 period and $335 million after 2024.
Other Activities: Section 5 of the bill would direct the
Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a uniform
set of policy guidelines and a strategic plan for certain
federal agencies to improve outreach to MSIs and to increase
the capacity of MSIs to compete for federal grants and
participate in federal programs. CBO expects that six agencies
with research expenditures exceeding $100 million annually--the
Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Health and
Human Services, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and the NSF--would be subject to the policy
guidelines. Some of those agencies are already conducting
activities to improve outreach to MSIs. On that basis, and
considering the costs of similar tasks, CBO estimates that
implementing section 5 would cost $1 million annually over the
2020-2024 period.
Section 3 of the bill would require the Government
Accountability Office to develop an inventory of federal
funding programs targeted toward MSIs. Based on the costs of
similar tasks, CBO estimates that implementing the provision
would cost less than $500,000; any spending would be subject to
the availability of appropriated funds.
Pay-As-You-Go Considerations: None.
Increase in Long-Term Deficits: None.
Mandates: None.
Estimate Prepared By: Federal Costs: Janani Shankaran;
Mandates: Brandon Lever.
Estimate Reviewed By: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
XI. Federal Mandates Statement
H.R. 4372 contains no unfunded mandates.
XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
The Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in the body of this report.
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c) of House Rule XIII, the goal of
H.R. 4372 is to direct the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy and Federal science agencies to carry out
programs and activities to improve clarity, transparency, and
accountability for Federal science agency investments in
research and STEM education at the Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and
MSIs.
XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement
H.R. 4372, does not create any advisory committees.
XV. Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 4372 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the
federal government known to be duplicative of another federal
program, including any program that was included in a report to
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
XVI. Earmark Identification
Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 4372 contains no earmarks, limited
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 4372 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
XVIII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or
tribal law.
XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
This legislation does not amend any existing Federal
statute.
XX. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup
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