Bill > HR6686

This bill, titled the "No Cost Educational Resources Act of 2025," aims to amend the Museum and Library Services Act to allow the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to award grants to colleges and universities. These grants would specifically fund courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that exclusively use "open educational reading materials" for required readings. Open educational reading materials are defined as free digital texts that are publicly available for download and sharing. The bill outlines requirements for institutions applying for these grants, including plans to involve librarians in the process, collaborate with faculty, and review the quality of the materials. Priority will be given to institutions serving a high number of low-income or minority students and those with plans to assign faculty and librarians to coordinate these courses, utilize library resources, focus on high-enrollment STEM courses, and offer incentives for faculty to adopt, adapt, or create these free reading materials. Finally, the IMLS Director will be required to report to Congress on the impact of these grants, including the number awarded, the increase in courses using these materials, and the cost savings for students.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6686/all-info