Congressman Mike Kennedy of Utah’s 3rd District and Congressman Josh Riley of New York’s 19th District have introduced the “Boosting the Rural STEM Pipeline Act,” a bipartisan measure designed to help rural schools recruit and retain well-trained teachers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This program offers National Science Foundation grants to colleges for training STEM majors who want to become teachers in school districts with high needs.
“As a representative of Utah’s vast rural communities, I understand the vital importance of ensuring our rural communities play a key role in America’s fast-growing STEM economy,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “The Boosting the Rural STEM Pipeline Act reflects a strong, bipartisan commitment to placing high quality STEM teachers in rural school districts to inspire the next generation of innovators. By expanding the pipeline of future STEM educators, we’re taking a practical step to invest in rural classrooms and secure the future success of our students.”
Congressman Riley emphasized equal opportunity for students in smaller towns: “For too long, rural schools have been told to make do with less. Not anymore. Students in our small towns have talent, drive, and big dreams, and they deserve the same opportunities as everyone else, but too many rural schools are struggling to recruit and retain enough STEM teachers. Our bill fixes that problem by supporting STEM teachers who work in the rural communities that politicians have overlooked for too long. Our kids deserve a fair shot and our teachers deserve a helping hand — and I’ll be in their corner every day to make sure they have both.”
Historically, many colleges serving rural areas could not participate fully in the federal Noyce program because they lacked funds required for matching grants. This financial barrier meant fewer trained STEM teachers were available for these regions.
In 2022, changes brought by the CHIPS and Science Act temporarily eliminated this matching funds requirement. As a result, more rural colleges were able to apply for and receive Noyce grants. The removal led to an increase in graduates from these programs teaching at rural schools.
The new legislation would make this change permanent by removing the matching requirement entirely. This aims to allow more colleges from rural areas continued access to grant funding so that more qualified educators can serve schools where they are most needed.
