The PROOF Act directs the National Science Foundation to create a competitive grants program that funds colleges and universities to replicate federally funded research studies. The awards would support institutions of higher education in repeating original research to verify scientific findings, with money available for student stipends, lab materials, equipment, travel, and other costs directly related to replication work. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing a full-time master's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields and must hold a bachelor's degree in a related STEM area. The bill requires the NSF Director to submit annual reports to Congress beginning 18 months after the first award is made, detailing how many institutions received funding, how many students were supported, and whether the replicated research confirmed the original findings. The legislation explicitly prohibits the NSF from discriminating against applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected characteristics when making or reviewing grant decisions.