- Download full letter to the House Appropriations Committee here
- Download full letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee here
On behalf of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), we urge that before the 117th Congress concludes, critical education and engagement programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) advancement are funded at the maximum level between the House and Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations.
We are four organizations dedicated to increasing the STEM education participation of students and young professionals in underrepresented groups, such as the American Indian, African American, Hispanic, including women and persons with disabilities. Our mission is to build highly-skilled generations of STEM leaders while constructing networks of academic and industry partners. These networks deepen our understanding of evidence-based practices, opportunities, needs, challenges, and barriers impacting our respective communities in a highly evolving economy.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the STEM sectors’ employment projection is expected to outpace others through 2031 by 10.8%, as opposed to the 4.9% in non-stem sectors1. To meet the glaring labor supply-demand needed for the United States to maintain global leadership in research and innovation, we urge Congress to make significant investments in historically underrepresented communities. By seeking the maximum funding level for the below priority programs, our organizations would have a greater impact in both urban and rural areas of the country in promoting access to STEM education, increasing awareness, and promoting professional advancement in all STEM disciplines:
Department of Education
- Minority Science and Engineering Improvement program
- Alaska Native Education Equity Program
- Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
- Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center program
- Strengthening HBCU Masters program
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants – Title IV Part A
- Career and technical education
National Science Foundation
- INCLUDES Program
- Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarships
- Advancing Informal STEM Learning
- Tribal Colleges and Universities Program
- Hispanic-Serving Institutions Programs
- HBCU Undergraduate Program
- Racial Equity in STEM Education
- Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM)
NASA
- Minority University Research Education Program
- Science Mission Directorate Education and Public Outreach
These investments will have a profound influence in bolstering regional talent from K-12 to higher education and prioritizing STEM education quality, while simultaneously incentivizing family-wage jobs, creating generational wealth, growing local economies, and building even more resilient and prosperous societies across our nation.
In closing, we applaud Congress for the passing of the CHIPS and Science Act. This legislative effort is more than a bold step towards establishing the United States as a global leader, and it has an incredible potential to propel competitiveness capabilities of our domestic workforce while preserving top-tier worldwide recognition in all STEM fields. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage Congress to maximize investments in the above programs that help our organizations empower our communities to be future leaders in STEM and strengthen a multi-generational pipeline of diverse and inclusive workforce.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our views and thank you for your leadership and consideration of our priorities.
Sincerely,
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
National Society of Black Engineers
1 https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm
