SB 265 - This act creates the "STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund" for the purpose of establishing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activity program for students in grades nine through twelve. Under the act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall select a provider to deliver a teacher-led program that involves facilitating a cohort of students to conduct STEM activities at state, national, or international competitions. DESE shall select a provider that presents data demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in achieving certain goals specified in the act. DESE shall begin soliciting applications from providers by January 1, 2026, and select a provider by March 1, 2026. This act is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 976 (2024) and substantially similar to HB 1111 (2025), HB 1972 (2024), SB 535 (2023), HB 887 (2023), and provisions in CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 68 (2025), HCS/SB 1039 (2024), HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), and HCS/HB 502 (2023). OLIVIA SHANNON