Coalition Urges Congress to Defend STEM Investments in Final FY2026 Spending Bill

On Thursday, September 25, the STEM Education Coalition, along with undersigned organizations sent a letter to Congressional appropriations leaders urging them to support federal investments in education and STEM in any final FY 2026 spending bill.

The letter highlights the Senate’s actions to preserve funding for Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title II-A Supporting Effective Instruction, Teacher Quality Partnership Grants, Career and Technical Education, and the National Science Foundation, including the STEM Education Directorate. It also commends areas of agreement between the House and Senate—such as maintaining funding for afterschool and summer learning, rural school programs, Head Start, and child care—that reflect shared recognition of the importance of STEM education across communities. Looking forward, the Coalition urges Congress to reject harmful reductions in House proposals and adopt provisions prohibiting reorganization or funding redirection of the NSF STEM Education Directorate, underscoring the need to safeguard America’s STEM leadership, competitiveness, and national security.

View and open the full letter below