STEM RESTART Act
The STEM RESTART Act would create a new national program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to help mid-career workers return to or transition into STEM jobs. The core idea is to provide grants (the RESTART program) to small- and medium-sized STEM employers or consortia so they can offer paid returnships—internships or similar opportunities that are above entry level and lead to full-time STEM roles with advancement potential. The program prioritizes unemployed or underemployed workers (especially from rural areas) and requires on-the-job training, education, and pathways to higher-skilled positions. Grants would cover a 3–5 year period, with sizable per-organization annual funding, and the initiative includes strict requirements on program design, compensation, displacement avoidance, reporting, and evaluation. Annual funding for the program would be $50 million (fiscal years 2026–2030).
Key Points
- 1Establishes the RESTART Grants program under WIOA to expand high-quality, paid returnships in STEM for mid-career workers who are unemployed or underemployed, with a focus on rural areas and in-demand STEM fields, leading to jobs above entry level.
- 2Eligible recipients include small-sized enterprises (50–499 employees), medium-sized enterprises (500–9,999 employees), or consortia of such firms, plus eligible providers to run the training (e.g., colleges, other education or training providers, joint labor-management organizations, and certain nonprofits).
- 3Returnships must be at least 10 weeks, include education and training, provide compensation and benefits comparable to full-time positions, and be designed to add to the employer’s workforce without displacing current full-time staff.
- 4Grant amounts: annual payments of $100,000–$1,000,000 for small firms; $500,000–$5,000,000 for medium firms or consortia, with grants awarded for 3–5 years on a competitive basis.
- 5Use of funds includes participant education/training, housing/travel/mentorship, salaries or stipends, and services provided by existing employees supporting the program; coordination with state workforce boards is required; recipients may not substantially replace current staff.
- 6Reporting and evaluation: recipients must annually report participant demographics and employment outcomes; the Secretary must analyze results and publish best practices within 180 days of receiving reports, including data disaggregated by sex, race, and ethnicity.
- 7Priority considerations: grants will give weight to programs prioritizing in-demand STEM sectors and rural areas.
- 8Funding and related housekeeping: authorizes $50 million per year for 2026–2030; includes a conforming amendment to adjust related statutory references as needed.