---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 19017"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "19017"
heading: "Research and dissemination to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/19017"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter III — National Science Foundation for the Future"
  - "Part C — Broadening Participation"
---

# §19017. Research and dissemination to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields

- (a) **In general—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall make awards on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to institutions of higher education or [non-profit organizations](/usc/42/18901.md?p=21) (or consortia of such institutions or organizations), to enable such entities to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) studies and careers.
- (b) **Use of funds—** An eligible entity that receives an award under this subsection shall use such award funds to carry out one or more of the following activities designed to increase the participation of women or minorities historically underrepresented in [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27), or both:
  - (1) Research to analyze the record-level data collected under sections [19152](/usc/42/19152.md) and [19154](/usc/42/19154.md) of this title, consistent with policies to ensure the privacy of individuals identifiable by such data.
  - (2) Research to study best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for work-life accommodation.
  - (3) Research to study the impact of policies and [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) that are implemented or are otherwise consistent with the purposes of this section.
  - (4) Mentoring programs that facilitate engagement of [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) professionals with students.
  - (5) Research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students in [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) fields.
  - (6) Outreach to elementary school and secondary school students to provide opportunities to increase their exposure to [STEM](/usc/42/18901.md?p=27) fields.
- (c) **Dissemination activities—** The [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1) shall carry out dissemination activities consistent with the purposes of this section, including—
  - (1) collaboration with other [Federal research agencies](/usc/42/18901.md?p=10) and professional associations to exchange best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), harmonize work-life accommodation policies and [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), and overcoming common barriers to work-life accommodation; and
  - (2) collaboration with institutions of higher education in order to clarify and catalyze the adoption of a coherent and consistent set of work-life accommodation policies and [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19).
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title III, § 10328, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1545.)