This legislation directs the National Science Foundation to establish a competitive grant program supporting the research and development of makerspaces. The program's core purpose is to encourage the formation and study of these community spaces to engage populations in STEM programs, develop essential technical and collaborative skills, and ultimately build a robust STEM-capable workforce. Grants can fund research on makerspace effectiveness, the development of best practices , and necessary equipment . Priority will be given to applicants partnering with workforce development components , high-need education agencies, or independent makerspaces, especially those involving community colleges , minority-serving institutions, or operating in rural communities . Funds generally cannot be used for new building construction, though technical assistance may be provided.