This bill amends the Museum and Library Services Act to establish a new grant program administered by the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program aims to fund institutions of higher education that offer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses which exclusively utilize open educational reading materials for all required readings. These materials are defined as free, publicly available digital texts that can be downloaded and redistributed, thereby reducing costs for students. To receive a grant, institutions must detail plans for facilitating the adoption, adaptation, and creation of these materials, emphasizing collaboration with library administrators, librarians, and STEM faculty. Priority will be given to institutions serving a high number of low-income or minority students, and those planning to integrate open educational reading materials into high-enrollment STEM courses and offer faculty incentives. The Director is also mandated to report to Congress on the program's effectiveness, including the number of grants awarded, the increase in OERM STEM courses, and the financial savings for students.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Education
No Cost Educational Resources Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-6686| House
| Updated: 12/12/2025
This bill amends the Museum and Library Services Act to establish a new grant program administered by the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program aims to fund institutions of higher education that offer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses which exclusively utilize open educational reading materials for all required readings. These materials are defined as free, publicly available digital texts that can be downloaded and redistributed, thereby reducing costs for students. To receive a grant, institutions must detail plans for facilitating the adoption, adaptation, and creation of these materials, emphasizing collaboration with library administrators, librarians, and STEM faculty. Priority will be given to institutions serving a high number of low-income or minority students, and those planning to integrate open educational reading materials into high-enrollment STEM courses and offer faculty incentives. The Director is also mandated to report to Congress on the program's effectiveness, including the number of grants awarded, the increase in OERM STEM courses, and the financial savings for students.