(1) Maker communities can be found in both 
rural and urban communities throughout the Na-
tion. 
(2) Making has been shown to engage and mo-
tivate children and adults in STEM disciplines. 
(3) Informal education and makerspaces pro-
mote skills that employers desire, such as technical 
skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and analyt-
ical skills. 
(4) Studies have shown that underrepresented 
populations often have better successes in informal 
and out-of-school STEM than in formal STEM pro-
grams. 
(5) Some studies have shown that makerspaces 
help to build not only technical hard skills but also 
collaboration and other soft skills that employers de-
sire. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to encourage the formation 
and study of makerspaces to— 
(1) engage populations within community col-
leges and community environments in STEM pro-
grams; 
(2) develop desirable STEM technical and other 
skills, including collaboration; and 
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(3) build a STEM-capable workforce. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) HISTORICALLY
BLACK
COLLEGE
OR
UNI-
VERSITY.—The term ‘‘historically Black college or 
university’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘part B 
institution’’ under section 322 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). 
(2) MAKERSPACE.—The term ‘‘makerspace’’ 
means a community space that— 
(A) provides access to tools, technology, 
and knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs; 
(B) results in the prototyping or creation 
of physical goods, interdisciplinary learning, 
and educational innovation; and 
(C) supports the development of edu-
cational opportunities for personal growth, 
workforce training, and early stage business 
ventures. 
(3) 
MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘‘minority-serving institution’’ means an insti-
tution listed in section 371(a) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
(4) RURAL
COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘rural 
community’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘rural 
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area’’ in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 
U.S.C. 1490). 
(5) STEM.—The term ‘‘STEM’’ means the 
subjects of science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics. 
(6) 
WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT
COMPO-
NENT.—The term ‘‘workforce development compo-
nent’’ means— 
(A) an economic development board or cor-
poration, including a State board or local work-
force board; 
(B) an internship program; 
(C) a certificate program; 
(D) employers or an employer or industry 
partnership representing multiple employers; 
(E) a community-based organization; or 
(F) any other program considered accept-
able by the Director of the National Science 
Foundation. 
SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND CAPACITY 
BUILDING OF MAKERSPACES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall award grants on a competitive 
basis to institutions of higher education, or consortia of 
such institutions, to support the research and development 
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of makerspaces to assist in the formation of a STEM-ca-
pable workforce. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—A grant awarded under this 
section may be used for— 
(1) research on the effectiveness of makerspaces 
in engaging students and the community in STEM 
skills and in teaching and learning, and the develop-
ment, compilation, and dissemination of best prac-
tices on the use of makerspaces for STEM learning 
and workforce preparedness; 
(2) equipment to achieve the purpose under 
paragraph (1); and 
(3) any other activities the Director considers 
appropriate. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In selecting grant recipients under 
this section, the Director shall give priority to applicants 
that— 
(1) apply in partnership with one or more enti-
ties that are— 
(A) a workforce development component; 
(B) a high-need local education agency as 
described in section 9(b)(3) of the National 
Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 
(42 U.S.C. 1862n(b)(3)); or 
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(C) an independent nonprofit or academic 
makerspace; 
(2) consist of one or more entities that are— 
(A) a community college; or 
(B) a historically Black college or univer-
sity or other minority-serving institution of 
higher education; or 
(3) apply in partnership with or consist of an 
entity that is— 
(A) described in paragraph (1) or (2); and 
(B) operates within a rural community. 
(d) LIMITATION.—Funds provided through a grant 
under this section may not be used for the construction 
of a physical building or facility to hold a makerspace un-
less the Director determines that such construction is nec-
essary for reasons of safety or the use of relevant equip-
ment. 
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Director may 
provide technical assistance to entities receiving a grant 
or entities seeking such a grant under this section. 
Æ 
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