PORTLAND, Maine - A bill co-written by Maine Sen. Susan Collins that seeks to support young researchers has been signed into law.
Collins, a Republican, authored the bill along with Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. The goal of the Next Generation Researchers Act is to grow opportunities for young people in research, science and innovation.
President Barack Obama signed the proposal into law on Tuesday.
Collins says the act will establish an initiative within the National Institutes of Health to promote opportunities for new scientists. She says it will also boost the institutes' loan repayment program for trainees from $35,000 per year to $50,000 per year.
Collins says the act will give young researchers in Maine and elsewhere the resources they need for cutting-edge work.