MEMBER ADVISORY

May 21, 2015

House of Representatives approves HSI Program at NSF

America COMPETES bill moves to Senate

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) commends the U.S. House of Representatives for approving on May 20 an amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 that would directly benefit Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The amendment requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a STEM grant program for HSIs no more than 120 days after enactment of the reauthorization bill.

“The creation of an institutional development grant program for HSIs at NSF has been a priority for HACU and its members,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “The 409 HSIs across 21 states and Puerto Rico and the more than 1.7 million Hispanic students enrolled in them are very grateful for the strong support demonstrated by Congress. This important national investment is designed to improve the STEM-related infrastructure and academic offerings at HSIs.”

HACU would like to thank Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) for introducing and shepherding the bipartisan amendment. Mr. Crowley has been a long-term and persistent champion of this issue for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. HACU would also like to thank Representative Jose Serrano (D-NY) for introducing HR 1924—the basis of the amendment’s language. The cosponsors of the amendment were Jose Serrano (D-NY), Will Hurd (R-TX), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Ben Lujan (D-NM).

The Reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act is intended to continue a robust investment in basic research and education and preserves the essence of the original Act by increasing the investment focus on STEM basic research and education as a national priority.

The HACU Government Relations staff continues to work with Congress on the issue. For more information, contact HACU's Chief Advocacy Officer, Luis Maldonado, at 202-261-2087.