    [House Report 116-269]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

    116th Congress }                                            { Report
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
     1st Session   }                                            { 116-269

    ======================================================================

                            MSI STEM ACHIEVEMENT ACT

                                    _______

    November 5, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
                  State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                    _______

        Ms. Johnson of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and
                      Technology, submitted the following

                                  R E P O R T

                            [To accompany H.R. 4372]

          [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

        The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
    was referred the bill (H.R. 4372) to direct Federal science
    agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to
    undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate
    STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the
    Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, and for other purposes, having
    considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
    and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

                                    CONTENTS

                                                                       Page
       I. Amendment.......................................................2
      II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
     III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
      IV. Committee Hearings..............................................6
       V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................7
      VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................7
     VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............7
    VIII. Committee Views.................................................8
      IX. Cost Estimate...................................................9
       X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................9
      XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)...........12
     XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............12
    XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........12
     XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................12
      XV. Duplication of Federal Programs................................12
     XVI. Earmark Identification.........................................12
    XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch........................12
    XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........12

     XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported..........13
      XX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................13

        The amendment is as follows:
      Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
    following:

    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

      This Act may be cited as the ``MSI STEM Achievement Act''.

    SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

      Congress makes the following findings:
              (1) Evidence suggests that the supply of STEM workers is not
            keeping pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the public and
            private sector, resulting in a deficit often referred to as a
            STEM skills shortage.
              (2) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United
            States will need one million additional STEM professionals than
            it is on track to produce in the coming decade.
              (3) STEM occupations offer higher wages, more opportunities
            for advancement, and a higher degree of job security than non-
            STEM occupations.
              (4) The composition of the STEM workforce does not reflect
            the current or projected diversity of the Nation, with
            Hispanics, African Americans, and other racial and ethnic
            minorities, significantly underrepresented in the STEM
            workforce compared to their presence in the workforce more
            generally.
              (5) A stronger national commitment to increasing the
            diversity of the STEM workforce is needed to help address the
            STEM skills shortage.
              (6) According to a 2019 National Academies of Sciences,
            Engineering, and Medicine report entitled ``Minority Serving
            Institutions: America's Underutilized Resource for
            Strengthening the STEM Workforce'', two- and four-year minority
            serving institutions enroll nearly 30 percent of all
            undergraduate students--a percentage that is expected to grow
            in the coming years--in the United States higher education
            system and play a critical role in providing important pathways
            to STEM-related education, training, and careers for students
            of color.
              (7) HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs are highly successful at educating
            underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and can serve
            as best practice models for other colleges and universities to
            further expand participation of underrepresented minorities in
            the STEM workforce.
              (8) Increased investment in STEM infrastructure at HBCUs,
            TCUs, and MSIs has the potential to increase these
            institutions' ability to educate even more students in the STEM
            disciplines.
              (9) With the demand for STEM skills exceeding the supply of
            STEM graduates, success of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in educating
            and training science and engineering leaders is increasingly
            important for United States economic growth and
            competitiveness.

    SEC. 3. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEW.

      Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
    Comptroller General of the United States shall report to Congress--
              (1) an inventory of competitive funding programs and
            initiatives carried out by Federal science agencies that are
            targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs or partnerships with HBCUs,
            TCUs, and MSIs;
              (2) an assessment of Federal science agency outreach
            activities to increase the participation and competitiveness of
            HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in the funding programs and initiatives
            identified in paragraph (1); and
              (3) recommendations of the Comptroller General to increase
            the participation of and the rate of success of HBCUs, TCUs,
            and MSIs in competitive funding programs offered by Federal
            science agencies.

    SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND CAPACITY BUILDING.

      (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
    shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher
    education or nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof) to--
              (1) conduct research described in subsection (b) with respect
            to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
              (2) conduct activities described in subsection (c) to build
            the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to graduate students who
            are competitive in attaining and advancing in the STEM
            workforce;
              (3) build the research capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs,
            TCUs, and MSIs in STEM disciplines; and
              (4) identify and broadly disseminate effective models for
            programs and practices at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs that promote
            the education and workforce preparation of minority students
            pursuing STEM studies and careers in which such students are
            underrepresented.
      (b) Research.--Research described in this subsection is research on
    the contribution of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to the education and training
    of underrepresented minority students in STEM fields and to the meeting
    of national STEM workforce needs, including--
              (1) the diversity with respect to local context, cultural
            differences, and institutional structure among HBCUs, TCUs, and
            MSIs and any associated impact on education and research
            endeavors;
              (2) effective practices at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and
            associated outcomes on student recruitment, retention, and
            advancement in STEM fields, including the ability for students
            to compete for fellowships, employment, and advancement in the
            workforce;
              (3) contributions made by HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to local,
            regional, and national workforces;
              (4) the unique challenges and opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs,
            and MSIs in attaining the resources needed for integrating
            effective practices in STEM education, including providing
            research experiences for underrepresented minority students;
              (5) the access of students at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to STEM
            infrastructure and any associated outcomes for STEM competency;
              (6) models of STEM curriculum, learning, and teaching
            successful at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs for increasing
            participation, retention, and success of underrepresented
            minority students; and
              (7) successful or promising partnerships between HBCUs, TCUs,
            and MSIs and other institutions of higher education, private
            sector and non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, and
            international research institutions.
      (c) Capacity Building.--Activities described in this subsection
    include the design, development, implementation, expansion, and
    assessment of--
              (1) metrics of success to best capture the achievements of
            HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and students of such institutions to
            account for institutional context and missions, faculty
            investment, student populations, student needs, and
            institutional resource constraints;
              (2) enhancements to undergraduate STEM curriculum at HBCUs,
            TCUs, and MSIs to increase the participation, retention, degree
            completion, and success of underrepresented students;
              (3) professional development programs to increase the numbers
            and the high-quality preparation of STEM faculty at HBCUs,
            TCUs, and MSIs, including programs to encourage STEM doctoral
            students to teach at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
              (4) mechanisms for institutions of higher education that are
            not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs to partner with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
            on STEM education, including the facilitation of student
            transfer, mentoring programs for students and junior faculty,
            joint research projects, and student access to graduate
            education.
      (d) Research Experiences.--Grants under this section may fund the
    development or expansion of opportunities for the exchange of students
    and faculty to conduct research, including through partnerships with
    institutions of higher education that are not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs,
    private sector and non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories, and
    international research institutions.
      (e) Partnerships.--In awarding grants under this section, the
    Director of the National Science Foundation shall--
              (1) encourage HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and consortia thereof and
            partnerships with one or more HBCU, TCU, or MSI, to submit
            proposals;
              (2) require proposals submitted in partnership with one or
            more HBCU, TCU, or MSI include a plan for establishing a
            sustained partnership that is jointly developed and managed,
            draws from the capacities of each institution, and is mutually
            beneficial; and
              (3) encourage proposals submitted in partnership with the
            private sector, non-profit organizations, Federal laboratories,
            and international research institutions, as appropriate.
      (f) MSI Centers of Innovation.--Grants under this section may fund
    the establishment of no more than five MSI Centers of Innovation to
    leverage successes of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in STEM education and
    research training of underrepresented minority students as models for
    other institutions, including both HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and
    institutions of higher education that are not HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs.
    Such centers will be located on campuses of selected institutions of
    higher education and serve as incubators to allow institutions of
    higher education to experiment, pilot, evaluate, and scale up promising
    practices.
      (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation
    $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021,
    $180,000,000 for fiscal year FY 2022, $185,000,000 for fiscal year
    2023, and $190,000,000 fiscal year 2024 to carry out this section.

    SEC. 5. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

      (a) In General.--In consultation with outside stakeholders and the
    heads of the Federal science agencies, the Director shall develop a
    uniform set of policy guidelines for Federal science agencies to carry
    out a sustained program of outreach activities to increase clarity,
    transparency, and accountability for Federal science agency investments
    in STEM education and research activities at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
      (b) Outreach Activities.--In developing policy guidelines under
    subsection (a) the Director shall include guidelines that require each
    Federal science agency--
              (1) to designate a liaison for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
            responsible for--
                      (A) enhancing direct communication with HBCUs, TCUs,
                    and MSIs to increase the Federal science agency's
                    understanding of the capacity and needs of such
                    institutions and to raise awareness of available
                    Federal funding opportunities at such institutions;
                      (B) coordinating programs, activities, and
                    initiatives while accounting for the capacity and needs
                    of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                      (C) tracking Federal science agency investments in
                    and engagement with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
                      (D) reporting progress toward increasing
                    participation of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in grant
                    programs;
              (2) to publish annual forecasts of funding opportunities and
            proposal deadlines, including for grants, contracts,
            subcontracts, and cooperative agreements;
              (3) to conduct on-site reviews of research facilities at
            HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, as practicable, and make recommendations
            regarding strategies for becoming more competitive in research;
              (4) to hold geographically accessible or virtual workshops on
            research priorities of the Federal science agency and on how to
            write competitive grant proposals;
              (5) to ensure opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
            directly communicate with Federal science agency officials
            responsible for managing competitive grant programs in order to
            receive feedback on research ideas and proposals, including
            guidance on the Federal science agency's peer review process;
              (6) to foster mutually beneficial public-private
            collaboration among Federal science agencies, industry, Federal
            laboratories, academia, and nonprofit organizations to--
                      (A) identify alternative sources of funding for STEM
                    education and research at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                      (B) provide access to high-quality, relevant research
                    experiences for students and faculty of HBCUs, TCUs,
                    and MSIs;
                      (C) expand the professional networks of students and
                    faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                      (D) broaden STEM educational opportunities for
                    students and faculty of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs; and
                      (E) support the transition of students of HBCUs,
                    TCUs, and MSIs into the STEM workforce; and
              (7) to publish an annual report that provides an account of
            Federal science agency investments in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs,
            including data on the level of participation of HBCUs, TCUs,
            and MSIs as prime recipients/contractors or subrecipients/
            subcontractors.
      (c) Strategic Plan.--
              (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
            enactment of this Act, the Director, in collaboration with the
            head of each Federal science agency, shall submit to Congress a
            report containing a strategic plan for each Federal science
            agency to increase the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
            compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative
            agreements and to encourage HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
            participate in Federal programs.
              (2) Considerations.--In developing a strategic plan under
            paragraph (1), the Director and each head of each Federal
            science agency shall consider--
                      (A) issuing new or expanding existing funding
                    opportunities targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                      (B) modifying existing research and development
                    program solicitations to incentivize effective
                    partnerships with HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs;
                      (C) offering planning grants for HBCUs, TCUs, and
                    MSIs to develop or equip grant offices with the
                    requisite depth of knowledge to submit competitive
                    grant proposals and manage awarded grants;
                      (D) offering additional training programs and
                    individualized and timely guidance to grant officers
                    and faculty researchers at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to
                    ensure they understand the requirements for an
                    effective grant proposal; and
                      (E) other approaches for making current competitive
                    funding models more accessible for under-resourced
                    HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
      (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
    enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Director shall
    report to Congress on the implementation by Federal science agencies of
    the policy guidelines developed under this section.

    SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

      In this Act:
              (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
            the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
              (2) Federal laboratory.--The term ``Federal laboratory'' has
            the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Stevenson-
            Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703).
              (3) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science
            agency'' means any Federal agency with an annual extramural
            research expenditure of over $100,000,000.
              (4) HBCU.--The term ``HBCU'' has the meaning given the term
            ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education
            Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
              (5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution
            of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in
            section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
            1001).
              (6) Minority serving institution.--The term ``minority
            serving institution'' or ``MSI'' means Hispanic-Serving
            Institutions as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education
            Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C 1101a); Alaska Native Serving
            Institutions and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions as
            defined in section 317 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
            U.S.C. 1059d); and Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian
            American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving
            Institutions, and Native American-Serving Nontribal
            Institutions as defined in section 371 of the Higher Education
            Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)).
              (7) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' has the meaning given the term
            in the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.).
              (8) TCU.--The term ``TCU'' has the meaning given the term
            ``Tribal College or University'' in section 316 of the Higher
            Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).

                            II. Purpose of the Bill

         The purpose of the bill is to direct Federal science
    agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to
    undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate
    STEM education and enhance the research capacity at the
    Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.

                  III. Background and Need for the Legislation

        As industries across all sectors become increasingly
    reliant on advanced technologies, the demand for STEM skills is
    at an all-time high. There are not enough graduates who are
    prepared to enter the workforce equipped with the STEM
    knowledge and skills employers need. The Bureau of Labor
    Statistics predicts a significant shortage of STEM workers in
    the coming decade. One of the key challenges facing the U.S.
    science and engineering enterprise is a lack of diversity in
    the STEM workforce.
        Demographic shifts in the U.S. population are approaching
    an inflection point. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by
    2045, white Americans will no longer comprise the majority of
    the population. During that year, non-Hispanic whites will
    comprise 49.7 percent of the population, while Hispanics will
    comprise 24.6 percent, African Americans 13.1 percent, Asians
    7.9 percent, and multiracial populations 3.8 percent. Although
    the Nation as a whole is diversifying, the STEM workforce has
    been slow to respond.
        Compared with their proportions in the U.S. population,
    members of racial and ethnic minority groups are significantly
    underrepresented in the STEM workforce. While the
    representation of American Indians in STEM occupations
    increased from 1993 (0.2 percent) to 2006 (0.4 percent), that
    progress was reversed and only 0.2 percent of STEM occupations
    were held by American Indians in 2015. While Hispanic
    employment in STEM occupations has steadily increased (from 2.9
    to 6 percent) from 1993 to 2015, progress for African Americans
    has been much slower (from 3.6 to 4.8 percent).
        Underrepresented minority students have long been an
    untapped resource for U.S. science and technology capacity, but
    as the Nation becomes more diverse the Nation can no longer
    afford to ignore this valuable source of STEM talent. MSIs have
    a proven track record of recruiting, retaining, and graduating
    students from underrepresented groups with the STEM skills
    employers need. However, more investment and outreach is needed
    to enable MSIs to fully realize their potential to contribute
    to the STEM workforce.
        The National Academy of Sciences released a 2018 report
    entitled ``Minority Serving Institutions: America's
    Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce''
    that highlights MSI contributions to the STEM workforce.
    Included in the Committee's recommendations was a call for
    funding agencies to continue to develop and expand grant
    competition programs that serve the nations MSIs.

                             IV. Committee Hearings

        On May 9, 2019, the full Committee held a hearing entitled,
    ``Achieving the Promise of a Diverse STEM Workforce.'' The
    purpose of the hearing was to explore the need for a diverse
    STEM workforce and assess the lessons learned, model programs,
    enduring challenges, and future opportunities for expanding
    access to STEM studies and careers.
        Five witnesses testified: (1) Dr. Mae Jemison, Principal,
    100 Year Starship. Dr. Jemison provided testimony on a National
    Academies of Science study underway to examine ``the evidence
    behind the most successful policies, practices, and strategies
    that have demonstrated effectiveness in opening doors to
    women's participation and success'' in STEM. (2) Dr. Shirley
    Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change, American
    Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Malcom provided
    testimony on the SEA Change initiative and other AAAS
    activities in support of increasing diversity in STEM. (3) Dr.
    Lorelle Espinosa, Vice President for Research, American Council
    on Education. Dr. Espinosa provided testimony on the findings
    and recommendations of the 2018 National Academies of Science
    report entitled Minority Serving Institutions: America's
    Underutilized Resource for Strengthening the STEM Workforce.
    (4) Dr. James L. Moore III, Vice Provost for Diversity and
    Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, The Ohio State
    University. Dr. Moore provided testimony on activities at The
    Ohio State University institution to address the issue of
    diversity and the role that public and land-grant universities
    play in broadening participation in STEM. (5) Ms. Barbara Whye,
    Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Vice President of Human
    Resources, Intel. Ms. Whye provided testimony on efforts
    underway at Intel to increase the diversity of its workforce.

                      V. Committee Consideration and Votes

        On September 18, 2019, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and
    Representative Michael Waltz introduced H.R. 4372, the MSI STEM
    Achievement Act. The bill was referred to the House Committee
    on Science, Space, and Technology.
        On September 25, 2019, the Committee on Science, Space, and
    Technology met to consider H.R. 4372. Ms. Johnson offered an
    amendment to include an authorization of appropriations for NSF
    to carry out the activities in the Act for fiscal years 2020-
    2024. The amendment was agreed to on a voice vote. Ms. Johnson
    moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 4372,
    to the House with the recommendation that the bill be approved.
    The motion was agreed to by a voice vote.

                  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

        H.R. 4372 directs GAO to compile an inventory of
    competitive Federal funding programs that are targeted to
    HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs and make recommendations for what steps
    Federal science agencies can take to increase participation and
    competitiveness of HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs in such programs. The
    Act also provides for research on the challenges and
    opportunities for HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to contribute to the
    STEM workforce and support for effective mechanisms to build
    the research and STEM education capacity of such institutions.
        The Act directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy
    to work with Federal science agencies to develop and implement
    a national strategy to increase clarity, transparency, and
    accountability for Federal science agency investments in
    research and STEM education at HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.

            VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)

    Section 1. Short title

        MSI STEM Achievement Act

    Section 2. Findings

        Summarizes the need for increased investment to build on
    the success HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs have had in recruiting,
    retaining, and graduating underrepresented minority students
    who are ready to enter the STEM workforce.

    Section 3. Government Accountability Office Review

        Directs GAO to report to Congress an inventory of Federal
    science agency competitive funding programs targeted to MSIs.
    Also directs GAO to assess Federal science agency outreach to
    MSIs and make recommendations for steps agencies can take to
    increase the participation and competitiveness of MSIs in such
    programs.

    Section 4. Research and capacity building

        Directs NSF to support research on the challenges and
    successes MSIs have had in contributing to the STEM workforce.
    Also directs NSF to support research focused on building the
    research capacity of MSIs, encouraging mutually beneficial
    partnerships, and scaling up successful model programs for use
    by other universities. Authorizes $170,000,000 for fiscal year
    2020, $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $180,000,000 for
    fiscal year 2022, $185,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, and
    $190,000,000 fiscal year 2024 for NSF to carry out this
    section.

    Section 5. Agency responsibilities

        Directs OSTP to issue uniform policy guidance for Federal
    science agencies to improve outreach to MSIs with the goal of
    increasing awareness among MSIs of funding opportunities and
    building MSI capacity to submit competitive proposals and
    manage awarded grants. Also directs OSTP to work with Federal
    science agencies to develop a strategic plan for how to modify
    existing or develop new programs or processes to make Federal
    STEM education and research funding more accessible to MSIs.

    Section 6. Definitions

        Defines terms used in the bill.

                             VIII. Committee Views

        It is the intent of the Committee that for the purposes of
    this Act, MSIs include Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska
    Native-Serving Institutions, Native Hawaiian-Serving
    Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American
    and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and
    Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions. The Committee
    recognizes that each HBCU, TCU, and MSI cohort has distinct
    strengths and challenges and the Committee encourages OSTP and
    Federal science agencies to carry out the activities of the Act
    while accounting for the diversity among these institutions
    with respect to local context, cultural differences,
    organizational structure, student populations, and
    institutional mission priorities.
        In carrying out the activities in the Act, the Committee
    expects NSF to support its existing portfolio of STEM education
    and research programs targeted to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs at
    funding levels no lower than those in fiscal year 2019. The
    Committee has provided the Director with the flexibility to use
    the additional funds provided in this Act to expand upon
    existing programs or create a new grant program as needed to
    fully achieve the goals and requirements of the Act.
        The Committee encourages OSTP to issue guidelines for
    Federal science agencies to foster mutually beneficial public-
    private collaboration among government, industry, Federal
    laboratories, academia, and nonprofit organizations to--promote
    local economic development by making available to private
    companies, at reasonable cost, MSI facilities, such as wet
    labs, machine shops and clean rooms, as well as faculty and
    researchers as paid professional consultants to assist
    companies in growing their businesses; engage private sector
    STEM experts as instructors or co-instructors of classes to
    bring real-world experiences and examples to students; engage
    private sector STEM experts as mentors or co-mentors of
    students; place students in private sector internships and
    apprenticeships; and create entrepreneurship programs that
    promote faculty and student creation of private companies.

                               IX. Cost Estimate

        Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
    House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the
    estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax
    expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate
    prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
    pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
    1974.

                  X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                         U.S. Congress,
                                   Congressional Budget Office,
                                      Washington, DC, November 1, 2019.
    Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
    Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
    House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
        Dear Madam Chairwoman: The Congressional Budget Office has
    prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4372, the MSI STEM
    Achievement Act.
        If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
    pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani
    Shankaran.
                Sincerely,
                                             Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                              Director.
        Enclosure.

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Bill Summary: H.R. 4372 would authorize the appropriation
    of $900 million over the 2020-2024 period for the National
    Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to improve the
    capacity of minority-serving institutions (MSIs) of higher
    education--including historically black colleges and
    universities and tribal colleges and universities--to educate
    and train students in science, technology, engineering, and
    mathematics (STEM) fields.
        The bill also would direct the Office of Science and
    Technology Policy to develop a uniform set of policy guidelines
    and a strategic plan for certain federal agencies to improve
    outreach to MSIs and to increase the capacity of MSIs to
    compete for federal grants and participate in federal programs.
    Finally, the bill would require the Government Accountability
    Office to develop an inventory of federal funding programs
    targeted toward MSIs.
        Estimated Federal Cost: The estimated budgetary effect of
    H.R. 4372 is shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation
    fall primarily within budget function 250 (general science,
    space, and technology).

                   TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 4372
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                2020     2021     2022     2023     2024   2020-2024
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    National Science Foundation
        Authorizationa......................................       14      175      180      185      190        744
        Estimated Outlays...................................        2       26       86      133      162        409
    Other Activities:
        Estimated Authorization.............................        1        1        1        1        1          5
        Estimated Outlays...................................        1        1        1        1        1          5
        Total Changes:
            Estimated Authorization.........................       15      176      181      186      191        749
            Estimated Outlays...............................        3       27       87      134      163       414
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    aH.R. 4372 would authorize the appropriation of $170 million in 2020 for the National Science Foundation (NSF)
      to award grants. However, using information from the NSF, CBO estimates that $156 million has been allocated
      on an annualized basis from funds made available under the continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59), which
      provided appropriations through November 21, 2019. Thus, the estimated authorization for 2020 ($14 million) is
      equal to the specified amount ($170 million) minus the annualized amount from the continuing resolution ($156
      million).

        Basis of Estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the
    legislation will be enacted in early 2020 and that the
    authorized and necessary amounts will be provided in each year.
    CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4372 would cost $414
    million over the 2020-2024 period.
        National Science Foundation: Section 4 of the bill would
    authorize the appropriation of $170 million in 2020 and a total
    of $900 million over the 2020-2024 period for the NSF to award
    grants to improve the capacity of MSIs to educate and train
    students in STEM fields. In 2019, the NSF allocated $156
    million for those purposes. Because CBO scores continuing
    resolutions on an annualized basis, in 2020 CBO assumes that
    the NSF will allocate the same amount from funds made available
    under the current continuing resolution (Public Law 116-59). As
    a result, CBO estimates that H.R. 4372 would authorize an
    increase in spending subject to appropriation in 2020 of $14
    million, the difference between the authorized amount and the
    annualized amount under the continuing resolution. Based on
    historical spending patterns for the affected grants, CBO
    estimates that implementing section 4 would cost $409 million
    over the 2020-2024 period and $335 million after 2024.
        Other Activities: Section 5 of the bill would direct the
    Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a uniform
    set of policy guidelines and a strategic plan for certain
    federal agencies to improve outreach to MSIs and to increase
    the capacity of MSIs to compete for federal grants and
    participate in federal programs. CBO expects that six agencies
    with research expenditures exceeding $100 million annually--the
    Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Health and
    Human Services, the National Aeronautics and Space
    Administration, and the NSF--would be subject to the policy
    guidelines. Some of those agencies are already conducting
    activities to improve outreach to MSIs. On that basis, and
    considering the costs of similar tasks, CBO estimates that
    implementing section 5 would cost $1 million annually over the
    2020-2024 period.
        Section 3 of the bill would require the Government
    Accountability Office to develop an inventory of federal
    funding programs targeted toward MSIs. Based on the costs of
    similar tasks, CBO estimates that implementing the provision
    would cost less than $500,000; any spending would be subject to
    the availability of appropriated funds.
        Pay-As-You-Go Considerations: None.
        Increase in Long-Term Deficits: None.
        Mandates: None.
        Estimate Prepared By: Federal Costs: Janani Shankaran;
    Mandates: Brandon Lever.
        Estimate Reviewed By: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and
    Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss,
    Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                         XI. Federal Mandates Statement

        H.R. 4372 contains no unfunded mandates.

             XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

        The Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
    reflected in the body of this report.

          XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

        Pursuant to clause 3(c) of House Rule XIII, the goal of
    H.R. 4372 is to direct the Director of the Office of Science
    and Technology Policy and Federal science agencies to carry out
    programs and activities to improve clarity, transparency, and
    accountability for Federal science agency investments in
    research and STEM education at the Nation's HBCUs, TCUs, and
    MSIs.

                   XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

        H.R. 4372, does not create any advisory committees.

                      XV. Duplication of Federal Programs

        Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
    House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
    of H.R. 4372 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the
    federal government known to be duplicative of another federal
    program, including any program that was included in a report to
    Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the
    most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                          XVI. Earmark Identification

        Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
    Committee finds that H.R. 4372 contains no earmarks, limited
    tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

                 XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch

        The Committee finds that H.R. 4372 does not relate to the
    terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
    or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
    the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

         XVIII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law

        This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or
    tribal law.

           XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

        This legislation does not amend any existing Federal
    statute.

                  XX. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup

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