NSF to Launch $15M Annual Grant Program Targeting Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Fields

The Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025 is setting up a new, targeted grant program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) designed to tackle the stubborn diversity gap in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Starting in 2026, and running through 2030, this legislation authorizes $15 million annually for competitive grants aimed at boosting participation and retention for women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities in STEM. The bill is clear on its goal: to diversify a workforce where certain groups—like Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals—are statistically far behind in earning degrees and holding jobs, and where women leave careers much faster than men.

The Real-World Pipeline Problem

This bill doesn’t just throw money at the problem; it zeroes in on key points where the STEM pipeline is leaking. The Congressional findings section lays out the statistical case: for example, in 2020, women earned only 24% of engineering bachelor’s degrees, and while Black or African Americans make up 14% of the population, they received only 9% of science and engineering degrees in 2021. The bill also highlights retention issues, noting that only 44% of women who earned a STEM degree were still in the field 10 years later, a number that drops to around 30% for Black or Hispanic women.

If you’re a student or a young professional in one of these underrepresented groups, this matters because it means more resources are coming to your school or workplace. The grants will fund activities that actually move the needle: setting up formal mentoring programs, funding internships for both undergrad and graduate students, and creating outreach programs to get elementary and secondary school students interested in STEM early on. They can also be used to recruit and retain underrepresented faculty members, which is crucial for building supportive academic environments.

Who Gets the Funding and How They Use It

The NSF Director will be responsible for awarding these grants, and eligible organizations—likely universities, non-profits, and research institutions—will have to apply and detail how they plan to spend the money. The bill is pretty specific about what the funds can cover, ranging from online workshops and mentoring to internships. For a small non-profit focused on coding boot camps for low-income women, this could mean securing funding to expand their program or offer paid internships.

Crucially, the bill defines "minority" broadly, specifically including American Indian, Alaskan Native, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander subgroups, and explicitly adding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), or gender-nonconforming individuals. This comprehensive definition ensures the program addresses multiple layers of underrepresentation.

The Fine Print: Where the NSF Gets Flexibility

While the bill is clear on the main activities, there is one area where the NSF Director has significant discretion. The list of approved uses for the grant money concludes with a catch-all: "Any other activities the NSF Director approves." This gives the agency flexibility to fund innovative or emerging programs that aren't specifically listed, which could be a good thing for adaptability. However, it also means the Director has broad, undefined power over how a portion of that $15 million is spent each year, which is something to keep an eye on to ensure the funds remain focused on the core mission.

Overall, this bill is a direct investment in expanding the talent pool for the nation’s most critical, high-growth industries. By providing sustained funding for five years, it aims to create the kind of long-term programs needed to fix the diversity gaps that have held back innovation for decades.