Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act
Bill: S.637 | Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard (D-CT)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act
This bill authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a two-year pilot program to award grants to highly qualified early-career investigators to carry out an independent research program at the institution of higher education chosen by such investigator, to last for a period not greater than two years.
In awarding grants, the NSF shall give priority to (1) early-career investigators who are from groups that are underrepresented in scientific research, and (2) early-career investigators who choose to carry out independent research at a minority-serving institution.

To forestall the loss of research talent by establishing a temporary 
               early career research fellowship program.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Early-Career Researchers 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Nation's universities and industrial research labs 
        are facing unprecedented budget pressure as part of the COVID-
        19 health crisis, resulting in considerably fewer openings for 
        research and teaching positions.
            (2) Emergency funding is needed to forestall the loss of 
        research talent likely to occur if early-career researchers are 
        forced to seek employment outside of research due to the sharp 
        economic decline caused by the COVID-19 health crisis.

SEC. 3. EARLY-CAREER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
may establish a 2-year pilot program to award grants to highly 
qualified early-career investigators to carry out an independent 
research program at the institution of higher education chosen by such 
investigator, to last for a period not greater than 2 years.
    (b) Institution of Higher Education Defined.--The term 
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in 
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
    (c) Priority for Broadening Participation.--In awarding grants 
under this section, the Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall give priority to--
            (1) early-career investigators who are from groups that are 
        underrepresented in scientific research; and
            (2) early-career investigators who choose to carry out 
        independent research at a minority-serving institution.

SEC. 4. REPORTS.

    (a) Reports From Grantees.--Not later than 180 days after the end 
of the pilot program under section 3, each early-career investigator 
who receives a grant under this Act shall submit a report to the 
Director of the National Science Foundation that describes how the 
early-career investigator used the grant funds under this Act.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the deadline 
for the submission of the reports described in subsection (a), the 
Director of the National Science Foundation shall submit a report to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives that contains a summary of the uses of grant funds and 
the impact of the grant program under this Act.
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