The "RESEARCHER Act" mandates the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop comprehensive policy guidelines for Federal research agencies. These guidelines are designed to address the significant financial instability experienced by graduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers, with a deadline of six months from enactment. The OSTP Director must consult with various stakeholders, including institutions of higher education and researcher organizations, to ensure a broad and informed approach.

The policy guidelines must include specific provisions aimed at improving researchers' financial well-being. Key areas to be addressed include opportunities to increase stipends, with consideration for indexing based on location and providing additional support for those in rural or underserved areas. Furthermore, the guidelines will focus on enhancing access to quality, affordable medical, dental, and vision care, as well as affordable housing and transportation. Efforts to reduce food insecurity and address the costs associated with caring for family members, such as child care, are also central components.

Following the development of these guidelines, Federal research agencies are required to implement consistent policies within six months and broadly disseminate them to current and potential research award recipients. The OSTP will actively encourage and monitor these implementation efforts, updating the guidelines as necessary. Additionally, OSTP must submit regular reports to Congress detailing the progress and effectiveness of these guidelines.

To ensure accountability and informed decision-making, the bill mandates several data collection and assessment initiatives. It amends existing law to require the collection of data on graduate and postdoctoral researcher stipend amounts and financial instability, disaggregated by demographics. The National Science Foundation (NSF) will award grants for further data collection and analysis, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will conduct a comprehensive study on financial instability, assessing stipends against local living costs. Finally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will produce a report evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of the Federal agencies' policies.