,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cfcf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #aj1 #bjbb,mr4 ,kelly 7for himself and ,mr4 ,moran7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish within the ,national ,science ,foundation a program to award ,,stem ecosystem grants4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,strengthening ,,stem ,ecosystems ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,,stem ecosystems-- 7,a7 engage stakeholders within and outside of a formal educational setting2 and 7,b7 may include-- 7i7 community leaders2 7ii7 school districts2 7iii7 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments2 7iv7 the ,federal ,government and ,federal facilities2 7v7 businesses1 industry1 and workforce and economic development organizations2 7vi7 libraries2 7vii7 museums and science centers2 7viii7 institutions of higher education 7including community colleges7 and technical schools2 7ix7 community groups and clubs 7including community-led research organizations71 foundations1 and nonprofit organizations2 and 7x7 faith-based organizations4 7#b7 ,as defined in the ,co,s,t,e,m ,annual ,progress ,report of #bjbj1 ,,stem ecosystems are united by a collective vision of supporting participation in ,,stem through the creation of accessible1 inclusive ,,stem learning experiences and opportunities spanning all education stages and career pathways4 ,a ,,stem ecosystem continuously evaluates its activities and adapts as needed1 plans for the long-term1 and communicates its work to build broad support and advance evidence-based practices4 ,,stem ecosystems focus on long-term1 shared1 sustainable1 and flexible ,,stem missions that bridge1 integrate1 and strengthen the learning opportunities offered by organizations across sectors to build partnerships that maximize investments to create stronger ,,stem outcomes4 7#c7 ,federal agencies should encourage the collaboration of stakeholders in ,,stem ecosystems that unite a broad range of non-,federal partners1 including pre-,k through grade #ab schools1 informal educators1 informal ,,stem organizations1 community-led and community-based research organizations1 institutions of higher education 7including community colleges1 historically ,black colleges and universities1 ,tribal colleges and universities1 ,hispanic-serving institutions1 and other minority-serving institutions71 employers1 nonprofit organizations1 social services1 faith-based entities1 economic and workforce development organizations1 and museums1 libraries1 credentialing services1 and other lifelong learning and participatory science organizations4 7#d7 ,the ,national ,science ,foundation is a ,federal agency that can and does encourage the collaboration described in paragraph 7#c74 ,when reviewing proposals before the agency1 reviewers are asked to consider how the proposed activities will have a broad impact on society and advance greater societal outcomes4 7#e7 ,,stem ecosystems can increase work-based learning1 training1 and mentoring through educator-employer partnerships1 allowing communities to more effectively leverage resources and expertise from strategic partners to provide seamless support to prepare the workforce of the future4 7#f7 ,,stem ecosystems that directly support and engage the ,american public can increase public awareness and support overall ,,stem literacy4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,committee ,the term ,committee means the ,committee on ,,stem ,education established under section #aja of the ,america ,,competes ,reauthorization ,act of #bjaj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ffba74 7#b7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,,stem ecosystem2 or 7,b7 an eligible partnership4 7#d7 ,eligible partnership ,the term eligible partnership means a partnership between a ,,stem ecosystem described in subparagraph 7,a7 of paragraph 7#h7 and #a or more non-,federal partners described in that subparagraph4 7#e7 ,hispanic-serving institution ,the term ,hispanic-serving institution has the meaning given such term in section #ejb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja;a74 7#f7 ,historically black college or university ,the term historically ,black college or university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution under section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#g7 ,,stem ,the term ,,stem means science1 technology 7including computer science71 engineering1 and mathematics4 7#h7 ,,stem ecosystem ,the term ,,stem ecosystem means-- 7,a7 a network1 consortium1 or multi-sector partnership1 which may be led or co-led by a nonprofit organizational entity1 that is operating in the ,united ,states and united by a collective vision of supporting participation in ,,stem through the creation of accessible1 inclusive ,,stem learning experiences and opportunities 7as defined in the ,co,s,t,e,m ,annual ,progress ,report of #bjbj7 with a broad range of non-,federal partners1 including pre-,k through grade #ab schools1 informal educators1 institutions of higher education 7including community colleges1 historically ,black colleges and universities1 ,hispanic-serving institutions1 ,tribal ,colleges and ,universities1 and other minority-serving institutions71 employers1 other nonprofit organizations1 economic and workforce development organizations1 industry or trade organizations1 trade or technician training schools1 social services providers1 faith-based organizations1 museums1 libraries1 credentialing organizations1 and other lifelong learning organizations2 or 7,b7 an office1 task force1 or other section of the office of the ,governor of a ,state1 a ,state educational agency1 or a ,tribal government that has the mission of improving ,,stem education and outcomes within the ,state4 7#i7 ,,stem learning stakeholder ,the term ,,stem learning stakeholder means an organization that is-- 7,a7 dedicated to the goal of improving ,,stem belonging1 participation1 and learning2 7,b7 providing accessible and inclusive ,,stem experiences and opportunities2 or 7,c7 supporting seamless educational and ,,stem workforce transitions4 7#aj7 ,tribal college or university ,the term ,tribal ,college or ,university has the meaning given the term in section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 #d4 ,,stem ecosystem grants 7a7 ,purpose ,the purpose of a grant awarded under this section is to leverage the expertise1 depth of cross-sector partnerships1 and equity focus of ,,stem ecosystems to enhance the value of ,,stem-intensive organizations in improving ,,stem learning to address immediate and long-term ,,stem workforce and economic needs in ,states and communities4 7b7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 may award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to carry out the activities described in paragraph 7#d74 ,the ,director shall notify the ,committee of all grant awards1 including the grant recipients1 made under this section4 7#b7 ,term ,a grant awarded under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall be for a period of #c to #e years2 and 7,b7 may be renewed for additional #c-year periods4 7#c7 ,applications 7,a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity seeking funding under paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to the ,director an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,director may require4 7,b7 ,requirements ,an application submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include1 at a minimum-- 7i7 a description of the eligible entity1 including1 in the case of an eligible partnership1 a description of the role that each member of the eligible partnership will play in implementing the proposal for the use of the grant funds2 7ii7 a description of each of the activities to be carried out by the eligible entity using the grant funds2 and 7iii7 an evaluation plan that includes outcome-oriented measures to determine the impact and efficacy of the grant award4 7#d7 ,use of funds ,grants awarded under paragraph 7#a7 shall be used for activities that draw on the expertise of eligible entities to improve ,,stem learning1 the ,,stem network or community of practice1 and workforce development1 including-- 7,a7 convening ,,stem learning stakeholders to review and assess statewide or regional ,,stem education needs and practices1 share best practices1 and bolster existing programs or develop new programs and other means to address such needs2 7,b7 designing or developing sustainable systems to support ,,stem learning connections1 networks1 and infrastructure2 7,c7 developing eligible partnerships to expand access to the opportunities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 to rural and underrepresented populations1 including by supplementing the support needed to participate in those opportunities2 7,d7 developing regional hubs or working groups within a ,,stem ecosystem to connect eligible partnerships described in subparagraph 7,c7 with ,state and local workforce trajectories2 7,e7 convening ,,stem learning stakeholder to support ,state-level workforce planning to ensure alignment between ,,stem learning activities and workforce needs2 7,f7 obtaining technical assistance provided by an outside organization2 and 7,g7 supporting ,,stem learning programs1 events1 or pre-enrollment activities1 including measurable outreach campaigns to raise ,,stem awareness in rural or underserved areas4 7#e7 ,geographic diversity ,not fewer than #be percent of grants awarded under this section and #be percent of the total amount awarded under paragraph 7#a7 shall be made to eligible entities serving jurisdictions that participate in the program under section #aac of the ,national ,science ,foundation ,authorization ,act of #aihh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahfb;g74 7#f7 ,evaluations ,each recipient of a grant under this section shall provide1 at the conclusion of every year during which the grant funds are received1 an evaluation according to the evaluation plan submitted under paragraph 7#c77;,b77iii74 7c7 ,coordination ,in carrying out this section1 the ,director shall1 for the purpose of enhancing program effectiveness and avoiding duplications of activities1 consult1 cooperate1 and coordinate with the programs and policies of other relevant ,federal agencies4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4