This legislation directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead efforts in strengthening the United States' biotechnology workforce by aligning it with federal research investments. The NSF Director will coordinate with other federal agencies to integrate biotechnology research with comprehensive workforce development activities, focusing on high-demand areas like biomanufacturing , synthetic biology , and bioinformatics . The bill mandates the development of a detailed workforce framework, outlining categories and competency areas, and supporting diverse educational and career pathways. It emphasizes promoting hands-on training opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships, while fostering robust partnerships among academia, federal laboratories, and private sector entities. The NSF will also coordinate with industry to align training programs with evolving needs and disseminate best practices for workforce development. To ensure accountability, the Director must develop metrics to assess workforce gaps, barriers to entry, and the effectiveness of these initiatives. Regular biennial reports will be submitted to Congress, providing assessments of the biotechnology workforce, evaluating program outcomes, and offering recommendations to maintain the United States' global leadership in this vital sector.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act of 2026
USA119th CongressHR-8938| House
| Updated: 5/20/2026
This legislation directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead efforts in strengthening the United States' biotechnology workforce by aligning it with federal research investments. The NSF Director will coordinate with other federal agencies to integrate biotechnology research with comprehensive workforce development activities, focusing on high-demand areas like biomanufacturing , synthetic biology , and bioinformatics . The bill mandates the development of a detailed workforce framework, outlining categories and competency areas, and supporting diverse educational and career pathways. It emphasizes promoting hands-on training opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships, while fostering robust partnerships among academia, federal laboratories, and private sector entities. The NSF will also coordinate with industry to align training programs with evolving needs and disseminate best practices for workforce development. To ensure accountability, the Director must develop metrics to assess workforce gaps, barriers to entry, and the effectiveness of these initiatives. Regular biennial reports will be submitted to Congress, providing assessments of the biotechnology workforce, evaluating program outcomes, and offering recommendations to maintain the United States' global leadership in this vital sector.