Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act

Section 2(c) expanded eligible schools from only those 'operated by local education agencies' to include 'private, faith-based, or homeschools, or operated by local educational agencies.' Section 2(f) similarly expanded use of funds to cover 'public schools, private schools (including faith-based schools), or homeschools.'

The definition of STEM in section 2(b)(8) now explicitly includes 'computer science' in addition to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

New provisions added throughout the bill targeting students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM: application requirements must address this population (section 2(d)(3)), and new use-of-funds items require reducing access gaps, providing support and resources, and researching effective engagement approaches for these students (section 2(f), new items 12, 13, and 15).

Section 2(i) shifted the authorization window from fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to fiscal years 2025 through 2029, and changed the language from 'authorized to be appropriated' to 'authorized to be used by the Directorate for STEM Education of the National Science Foundation.'

Section 3(d) changed from an authorization of $1,000,000 for FY2024 to a directive that the Director allocate up to $1,000,000 from amounts already appropriated or otherwise made available to the NSF's Directorate for STEM Education.

New section 4(a) limits all funding for sections 2 and 3 to amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the National Science Foundation, preventing the bill from creating new spending authority beyond existing NSF appropriations.

New section 4(b) adds a sunset provision: authority to provide awards under the Act expires on September 30, 2028.

Section 3(a) extended the deadline for the Director to seek an agreement with NASEM from 60 days after enactment to 180 days after enactment.

Throughout the bill, the term 'grant' was replaced with 'award' in multiple provisions (sections 2(c), 2(d), 2(e), 2(f), 2(g), and 2(h)), which is a broader legal term encompassing more types of funding mechanisms.