Bills · HR 3054
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3054Science, Technology, Communications
RESEARCHER Act
INTRO APR 29· LAST ACTION APR 29
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
20
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it addresses a fundamental issue affecting the future of scientific and academic research in the United States. Many graduate and postdoctoral researchers, who are crucial to innovation and discovery, often face significant financial strain due to low stipends and high living costs, sometimes even qualifying for public assistance despite their advanced education. This financial instability can discourage talented individuals from pursuing research careers, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, potentially limiting the diversity and quality of the research workforce.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more stable and attractive research opportunities, helping the U.S. maintain its leadership in science and technology. By improving the financial well-being of these researchers, the bill aims to ensure that the brightest minds can focus on their work without undue economic stress, ultimately benefiting society through new discoveries and advancements. Without this bill, the financial challenges for these researchers would likely continue, potentially leading to a brain drain or discouraging promising individuals from entering essential research fields.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop consistent guidelines for federal research agencies.
This establishes a unified approach across government to improve the financial situation of researchers.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that these guidelines address opportunities to increase stipends for graduate and postdoctoral researchers, including location-based adjustments and increased stipends for those in rural or underserved areas.
Directly tackles the issue of low pay, which is a primary source of financial instability for researchers.
PROVISION 03
Requires the guidelines to include opportunities for improving access to affordable medical, dental, and vision care, housing, transportation, food security, and family care costs (like childcare).
Acknowledges that financial stability extends beyond just stipends and includes essential living costs and benefits.
PROVISION 04
Federal research agencies must develop and implement their own policies consistent with the OSTP guidelines within six months of receiving them and broadly share these policies.
Ensures that the guidelines translate into concrete actions and widely known improvements at the agency level.
PROVISION 05
Amends existing law to require federal agencies to collect and report data on graduate and postdoctoral researcher stipend amounts and financial instability, disaggregated by demographics.
Provides crucial data to understand the scope of the problem and track the effectiveness of interventions.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 20
D· Virginia
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
27
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 20 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 29
Introduced in House
APR 29
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 3054
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 29, 2025
Last actionApr 29, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 29, 2025
House BillHR 3054Science, Technology, Communications
RESEARCHER Act
INTRODUCED APR 29, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 29, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
20
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
