A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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
The "Promoting High-skilled Doctoral Talent Act of 2026" requires the Secretary of Energy to create a 5-year pilot program called the Department of Energy Strategic Scientific Workforce Pilot Program. This program aims to strengthen the domestic science and engineering workforce by establishing partnerships among institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, Federal science agencies, and industry. The initiative focuses on supporting accelerated doctoral programs in critical or emerging technology areas. Through competitive grants, the program intends to build a talent pipeline capable of handling advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum information science. The Secretary is authorized to establish pilot fellowship programs to provide direct or indirect financial assistance to eligible students.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The act authorizes $250 million to specifically foster advanced scientific and technological research.
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
Eligible students benefit from accelerated degree timelines and direct financial assistance.
- Scored +7
Does this make college cost less?
The bill provides direct financial assistance and fellowships to help students complete doctoral programs.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill restricts financial assistance to citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents, excluding other immigrant groups.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Faster Completion of Degrees: Students can participate in accelerated doctoral programs that are at least one academic year shorter than the average timeframe (Section 3).
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Financial Support for Students: The program provides funding to students that may cover no less than 3 years of the doctoral portion of the program (Section 3).
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Increased Educational Flexibility: Through integrated baccalaureate-to-doctorate pathways, students who do not complete the doctoral portion can still earn a baccalaureate or master's degree based on their level of completion (Section 3).
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Enhanced Career Readiness: Students receive structured professional development, including research mentorship, career development support, and research rotations for real-world experience (Section 3).
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Development of Specialized Skills: The program supports the development of "dual competency," which combines a student's primary discipline with expertise in advanced computing or artificial intelligence (Section s).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Eligibility: Financial assistance and program support are restricted to students who are citizens or nationals of the United States, or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence (Section 3).
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Program Expiration: The program is a 5-year pilot, and the Secretary is prohibited from making new awards after 5 years have passed since the first award was made (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The act authorizes $250 million to specifically foster advanced scientific and technological research. Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides direct financial assistance and fellowships to help students complete doctoral programs.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Eligible students benefit from accelerated degree timelines and direct financial assistance. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The program offers specialized training and financial support for those entering advanced degree programs. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill fosters industry-academic partnerships that benefit business sectors requiring high-tech talent. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill restricts financial assistance to citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents, excluding other immigrant groups.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Strengthening the high-skilled workforce in critical technologies promotes long-term economic competitiveness. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to build a talent pipeline to strengthen the domestic science and engineering workforce.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill provides $250 million to fund research-oriented doctoral programs in critical technology areas.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — By training experts in advanced computing and AI, the bill bolsters national cybersecurity capabilities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The program includes clean energy generation and storage as a critical technology area.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the Department of Energy's role in managing a strategic scientific workforce pilot program.
- 7/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana