Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
This bill adds a new section to the NSF Authorization Act creating competitive, merit-reviewed grants for plant and microbial biology research relevant to agriculture, food, or biotechnology.
Eligible recipients include universities, nonprofit organizations, private entities, and federal, state, local, or Tribal governments or consortia.
It authorizes $150 million per year for FY2026–2031 and amends the NSF Act's definitions to clarify nonprofit eligibility under IRC section 501(c)(3).
Content is narrow and administratively straightforward, but authorization must be matched by appropriations and pass both chambers.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill establishes a clear statutory authorization and funding stream for NSF grants supporting plant and microbial biology research and incorporates minimal statutory integration (a definition amendment). It provides basic authority and appropriations but limited operational, oversight, and risk-mitigation detail.
Whether funding primarily serves public good or private firms
Whether funding primarily serves public good or private firms
Generally supportive because it expands public funding for basic plant and microbial science with clear links to food security and biotechnology.
Concerned about ensuring public-interest safeguards around access, environmental impacts, and equitable benefit sharing.
Cautiously favorable as a targeted federal investment in science and agricultural competitiveness, but wants clearer accountability, interagency coordination, and cost oversight.
Sees merit review and competitive grants as appropriate delivery mechanisms.
Skeptical overall: supports basic science that boosts agriculture but worries about expanding NSF's role, recurring federal spending, and taxpayer-funded research that may advantage large private firms.
Seeks tighter limits and stronger oversight.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Content is narrow and administratively straightforward, but authorization must be matched by appropriations and pass both chambers.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Whether funding primarily serves public good or private firms
Content is narrow and administratively straightforward, but authorization must be matched by appropriations and pass both chambers.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill establishes a clear statutory authorization and funding stream for NSF grants supporting plant and microbial biology research and incorporates minimal statutory integ…
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