Take Action to Protect Programs that Broaden Participation in STEM

America faces a STEM workforce shortage—from qualified K-12 STEM teachers to Ph.D. industry researchers. A critical piece of the solution is enabling talented Americans from every geographic region, socioeconomic background, and demographic group to pursue a STEM career. Policy provisions in the FY27 appropriations bills, however, are harming our ability to act.

Federal science agencies have long provided essential funding to workforce initiatives around the country that help students from underrepresented backgrounds see and realize a future in STEM fields. Science today is stronger because of the impact of these programs, and last year the U.S. Senate recognized that with bipartisan appropriation report language stating that “ensuring individuals from underrepresented communities across the country can enter and sustain a career as part of the STEM workforce is essential to securing the workforce going forward.”

This year, the House appropriations bill once again includes language that would prohibit funding for offices, initiatives, and grants that expand opportunity and broaden participation, sweeping up many STEM workforce programs. Recent executive orders in this same vein make it even more urgent that we act to prevent these measures from being codified into law.

Tell Congress to eliminate the House provisions from ending up in the final bill to help embattled workforce programs continue to broaden participation in our field.

Dear [Lawmaker],

As your constituent and a member of the scientific community, I urge you to support the removal of harmful provisions in the House FY27 spending bills that undermine essential STEM workforce development programs at the federal science agencies.

Amid growing global competition and talent shortages, the best path to building a highly skilled domestic STEM workforce is to expand opportunities for Americans from every geographic region, socioeconomic background, and demographic group.

Federal science agencies not only support future leaders in science and technology but also address persistent barriers in recruitment and retention. These agencies provide opportunities to ALL Americans. Provisions like Section 551 and 554 in the House FY27 CJS bill that restrict funding for programs that tackle these issues threaten proven, evidence-based initiatives that strengthen STEM education and careers across the country.

I urge you to prioritize policies that support broadening participation in STEM, like those called for in the Senate FY26 CJS report language. The future of U.S. economic competitiveness and our nation’s ability to address national, economic, and health security threats depend on sustaining a robust domestic STEM workforce.

Thank you,
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American Physical Society

American Astronomical Society

American Association of Physics Teachers

National Society of Black Physicists

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