This bill directs the Director of the National Science Foundation (the Director) to carry out activities that align Federal biotechnology research investments with workforce development. The Director must identify high-demand biotechnology workforce areas, including biomanufacturing and bioprocess engineering; synthetic biology; bioinformatics and computational biology; omics such as genomics and proteomics; and regulatory science and quality assurance. The NSF must develop a workforce framework for roles and competencies, share information about education and career pathways with multiple entry and exit points, promote internships, apprenticeships, cooperative education, and hands-on training, and support partnerships among community colleges, minority-serving institutions, higher education, Federal labs, nonprofits, and private companies. The Director must develop metrics to assess workforce gaps, barriers to entry, and the effectiveness of coordination and partnerships. The bill requires a report to two House and Senate committees not later than two years after enactment and then every two years for six years.
If enacted, the NSF would be directed to support more organized biotechnology training and career pathways. Students and early-career researchers could have more information about degree and credential options, internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on training in the listed fields. Colleges, community colleges, and minority-serving institutions could be encouraged to form partnerships with Federal labs and private companies. Employers may see efforts to better align training programs with industry needs. The Director would also measure gaps and barriers so future programs can be adjusted.
No publicly available information.
The bill aims to integrate Federal biotechnology research investments with workforce development. It seeks to identify high-demand workforce areas, support education and career pathways, promote hands-on training and industry-academic partnerships, and track outcomes and workforce gaps to help maintain U.S. leadership in biotechnology.
No publicly available information.