MAKERS Act

The MAKERS Act (HR 812) establishes a National Science Foundation grant program to fund research and development of makerspaces at colleges and community organizations. It prioritizes funding for projects partnering with community colleges, historically Black colleges, minority-serving institutions, rural communities, and workforce training programs. Grants support equipment, research on makerspace effectiveness in teaching STEM skills, and sharing best practices - without funding new building construction. The bill directly affects higher education institutions and community groups seeking to build STEM skills through hands-on learning spaces.