Build and empower the strongest and most adaptable workforce in human history

to benefit our people and sustain our leadership as science and technology innovators

Talented individuals learn and work in every part of America and come from every background. Investing in STEMM training, education, and talent retention across the US and at all levels is critical to ensuring the American people can lead and benefit from a rapidly evolving economy while our nation keeps pace with global advances and our competitors. 

Today, our students are falling behind those in other countries. American K-12 students trail those from other advanced economies in global mathematics and science assessments and our scores continue to drop. China has overtaken the US in awarding science and engineering doctorates. Even at American institutions, US-born students are also less likely to pursue science and engineering than international students. 

The US also faces rising demand for top foreign-born talent, which contributes significantly to our nation’s economic growth, domestic science and technology productivity, and leadership in innovation.

With concerted action, we can position current and future generations of Americans to achieve their potential, provide pathways to better jobs and prosperity, meet workforce needs, and enhance our ability to compete globally.

A new NationaI Defense Education Act (NDEA 2.0) that encompasses many of the recommendations in this Avenue is a top priority of the National Science Board. This legislation could include additional policies developed in partnership with Congress and others.

    • Cultivate more K-12 STEM educators with a focus on professional development, salary enhancements, and science and technology externships 

    • Further integrate STEM education into K-12 and career and technical education (CTE) programs

    • Widen opportunities for success in STEMM careers by reducing barriers to participation in STEMM courses and enrichment programs from early education to higher education and beyond 

    • Drive partnerships involving industry and community and technical colleges, trade schools, research universities, and others to create future-focused career pathways and enable lifelong learning 

    • Incentivize private sector investment in upskilling for critical jobs using tools such as targeted tax credits  

    • Create new science and research career pathways for operators and technicians to become competency-based scientists

    • Provide adequate compensation and benefits for graduate students and full employee status for postdocs to address practical barriers to entering high-skill science and technology professions

    • Implement the recommendations of the 2024 National Academies’ report on international talent programs, including setting aside a number of new Green Cards for specific categories of vetted, US-educated scientists and engineers

    • Expand criteria for US EB visas to recognize and retain extraordinary international talent in the US 

    • Reform and expand the H1B program to retain key international talent that complements American talent 

    • Adopt a new, strategic talent recruitment program to attract the world’s top scientists and engineers to work in the US