National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill creates a new nonprofit called the National Fab Lab Network to build a nationwide system of high-tech workshops. These labs would give everyday people access to advanced manufacturing tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics equipment that are normally too expensive for individuals to own.
• The network aims to put at least one fab lab in every Congressional District, with a focus on underserved communities. That means roughly 435 labs spread across the entire country, making sure areas with less access to technology get priority.
• The labs are designed to boost STEM education, workforce training, small business creation, and personal self-sufficiency. People could use them to learn job skills, invent products, start businesses, or even make household items instead of buying them.
• The nonprofit is not a government agency but is established by Congress and run by a bipartisan board of 7 to 15 members appointed by leaders in both the House and Senate. It can accept money from both government agencies and private donors.
• Notably, the bill does not include any specific funding or appropriations. It creates the organizational framework and legal authority for the network but does not guarantee federal dollars to actually build or operate the labs.