Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026

Richard McCormick

Republican · GA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Ro Khanna (D-CA-17)Original· 2026-05-20

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

2026-05-20

Source: Congress.gov

The National Science Foundation would be directed to create programs and pathways to help train workers for biotechnology jobs and ensure that workforce development aligns with the federal government's research investments in the field. This would help prepare students and workers for careers in biotechnology while making sure training programs match where the government is actually funding research. The effort would affect students, job seekers, educational institutions, and biotechnology companies looking to hire skilled workers.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8938 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8938 To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out activities to support biotechnology workforce pathways and alignment with Federal research investments, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 20, 2026 Mr. McCormick (for himself and Mr. Khanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out activities to support biotechnology workforce pathways and alignment with Federal research investments, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. NSF SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE PATHWAYS AND ALIGNMENT WITH FEDERAL RESEARCH INVESTMENTS. (a) Alignment of Biotechnology Workforce Priorities.-- (1) In general.--The Director, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall carry out activities to support the integration of Federal biotechnology research investments with workforce development activities. (2) Workforce priority areas.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Director shall identify high-demand biotechnology workforce areas, including the following: (A) Biomanufacturing and bioprocess engineering. (B) Synthetic biology. (C) Bioinformatics and computational biology. (D) Omics, such as genomics and proteomics. (E) Regulatory science and quality assurance. (F) Such other areas as the Director determines appropriate. (b) Pathways, Engagement, and Partnerships.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall carry out the following: (1) Support the development of a workforce framework, including relating to workforce categories, work roles, and competency areas, for biotechnology. (2) Disseminate information on, and support educational and career pathways with multiple entry and exit points for, students and early-career researchers leading to credentials and degrees in biotechnology workforce areas. (3) Promote participation in internships, apprenticeships, cooperative education programs, and other hands-on training opportunities. (4) Support partnerships among institutions of higher education (including community colleges and minority-serving institutions), Federal laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities. (5) Disseminate best practices for workforce development activities. (c) Coordination With Industry.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall, to the extent practicable, carry out the following: (1) Coordinate with private sector entities engaged in biotechnology research, development, or manufacturing. (2) Support model frameworks for industry-academic partnerships. (3) Encourage alignment between workforce training programs and evolving industry needs. (d) Metrics and Evaluation.--The Director shall develop metrics to assess the following: (1) Workforce gaps in biotechnology careers. (2) Barriers to entry into biotechnology careers. (3) The effectiveness of coordination and partnerships under this section. (e) Integration With Existing Activities.--The Director shall, to the extent practicable, carry out this section through integration with existing National Science Foundation programs and activities. (f) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter for six years, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes the following: (1) An assessment of workforce gaps in biotechnology careers. (2) A description of activities carried out under this section. (3) An evaluation of outcomes associated with workforce development activities. (4) An assessment of the position of the United States biotechnology workforce in maintaining global leadership in biotechnology relative to key competitor and near-peer countries. (5) Recommendations for actions to strengthen Federal coordination relating to biotechnology initiatives and workforce development activities. (g)…

Definitions.--In this Act: (1) Biotechnology.--The term ``biotechnology'' means the use of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives thereof to develop or manufacture products, including biomanufacturing, bioprocess engineering, synthetic biology, genomics, proteomics, and computational biology applications. (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of the National Science Foundation. (3) Workforce development activities.--The term ``workforce development activities'' includes internships, apprenticeships, cooperative education, experiential learning, skills-based training, and related activities that prepare individuals for employment in biotechnology careers. <all>

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