Congresswoman Luz Rivas Introduces Bill to Expand Access to Undergraduate Research STEM Programs

LOS ANGELES - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), co-chair of the STEM Education Caucus, introduced the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Act of 2026. This bill reauthorizes and modernizes the NSF REU program that has strengthened undergraduate STEM research pathways since 2010.

"Every college student, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to engage in STEM research, gain new experiences in the lab, and understand what a potential STEM career could be," said Congresswoman Rivas. "Opportunities for STEM education experiences should not be limited because of where students go to school. My NSF REU Act expands access to undergraduate research experiences and opportunities to students at minority-serving institutions, community colleges, emerging research institutions, and rural-serving institutions. By strengthening learning opportunities for all students, we can develop a more inclusive and robust STEM workforce that will keep the United States a leader in innovation and technology."

Background:

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Act of 2026 strengthens pathways into STEM careers by prioritizing first-time research participants and students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. It expands NSF's flexibility to support student professional development, mentor training, institutional partnerships, and long-term program evaluation. The legislation reinforces the role of experiential learning in building the STEM workforce, while improving access for students at minority-serving institutions, community colleges, emerging research institutions, and rural-serving institutions.

The NSF REU Act of 2026 would expand access to high-quality undergraduate research experiences and modernize program implementation. Key aspects of this legislation include:

• Updates statute to be consistent with NSF's current implementation of the program;
• Provides NSF further flexibility to support undergraduate research, including support for student professional development, faculty supplements to promote community college participation, mentorship training to broaden participation in STEM, and program evaluation and data collection activities;
• Clarifies one of the primary intents of the program is to provide first-time research experiences to individuals with limited or no prior experience in STEM or individuals belonging to groups; and
• Authorizes an appropriation sum of $100 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
  

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