# Congress Proposes DOE STEM Workforce Pilot

Representatives Vince Fong and Suhas Subramanyam introduced the PHD Talent Act of 2026 on November 12, 2026. The proposed legislation would establish a five-year Department of Energy pilot for accelerated bachelor’s-to-Ph.D. pathways in critical technology fields, bringing universities, National Laboratories, and private industry together for research and workforce training. It is a potential future collaboration area, not an announced contract, funded solicitation, or currently available award opportunity.

- The proposal could create future roles for universities, National Laboratories, and industry in research training and workforce development if the pilot is established.
- Companies and research organizations can assess whether their critical-technology research and training capabilities align with the proposed model, while treating participation as prospective rather than an active procurement.
- Because the bill was introduced but no funded solicitation is announced, organizations should not assume that funding, contract awards, or application timelines are available.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Policy
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)

### Key Quotes
> America’s economy and national security depends on us having a deep bench of skilled, capable, and credentialed American workers. Whether it’s cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, defense research, advanced energy systems, medical innovations, or other emerging technologies, we need more homegrown talent. The PHD Talent Act gives students in the Central Valley and across the country a faster, clearer path to the advanced degrees these fields demand.
> — Vince Fong, Congressman

> Our country faces a critical shortage of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. This bill shores up and strengthens our pipeline of researchers. This will in turn help the next generation of students make breakthrough discoveries in science, health, and technology, solidifying our country's leadership in these fields.
> — Suhas Subramanyam, Congressman

### Sources
- [Fong Introduces Bill to Strengthen Workforce Pipelines for American Scientists and Engineers | Congressman Vince Fong](https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/fong-introduces-bill-strengthen-workforce-pipelines-american-scientists-and) - FONG