Building a Robust Bioeconomy Workforce: A Policy Approach to Bridging the Gap in Undergraduate Experiential Learning

The U.S. bioeconomy is rapidly expanding and is expected to open the door to over a million jobs by 2030. Experiential learning, also known as “learning by doing”, is a critical component of education and training for workers entering the bioeconomy. To prepare students with the skills they need to succeed in the bioeconomy workforce, we recommend that the NSF create a center to develop experiential learning opportunities in biotechnology and biomanufacturing in four-year undergraduate degree programs. These recommendations include prioritizing project-based learning labs and providing coordination and financial support for industry internships that enable students to tackle industry-relevant problems with hands-on projects.