A Democratic bill with 9 Democratic cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Equity in Research Act. It requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to set up a grant program. This program gives financial help to specific types of higher education institutions. The goal is to help them improve and grow their research facilities and development. Schools can receive grants ranging from one million dollars to five million dollars. The bill authorizes fifty million dollars for this program for fiscal year 2027 and each year after.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Building and Facility Improvements: Under Section 2, subsection (b)(1) and (b)(3), schools can use the grants for existing building infrastructure improvements, enhancements, and maintenance needs. This is a positive outcome because it helps upgrade physical spaces for better research.
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Research Materials and Equipment: According to Section 2, subsection (b)(2), institutions can use the funds for materials and equipment needed to conduct or produce research. This helps students and staff get the actual tools required to do their work.
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Funding for Personnel: Section 2, subsection (b)(4) allows schools to cover personnel costs directly associated with planning, management, maintenance, or operation of research-related activities. This is beneficial because it supports the workers keeping the research running.
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Support for Specific Schools: Section 2, subsection (d) lists eligible schools, which include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions. This helps direct financial assistance between one million and five million dollars to these specific communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Financial Burden from Authorization: Section 2, subsection (e) authorizes fifty million dollars to be appropriated for fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year to carry out this section. This could be viewed as a negative burden because it continuously commits public funds to this specific program.
- 10/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Christian MenefeeDemocrat · Texas
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Raul RuizDemocrat · California
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey