The New York State Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) is facing a federal lawsuit alleging that its race-based eligibility requirements violate the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under law.

The legal challenge claims the program discriminates against white and Asian-American students through its admission criteria. STEP is designed to increase participation of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The lawsuit centers on whether the program's eligibility rules comply with the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Legal experts note that race-conscious admission policies have faced increased scrutiny following recent Supreme Court decisions affecting affirmative action in higher education.

The New York program provides academic support, mentoring, and enrichment activities to help students from underrepresented groups pursue STEM careers. It operates in schools and colleges across the state as part of broader diversity initiatives in education.

State education officials have not yet responded publicly to the specific allegations in the lawsuit. The case joins a growing number of legal challenges to race-conscious programs in education and other sectors across the United States.