Cooperative Agreement 2438104

This Cooperative Agreement award of $240,072 from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Integrative Activities program (CFDA 47.083) will support the "E-CORE RII: Sustainable Programs Advancing Research and Knowledge Across North Dakota" project led by Minot State University. The project aims to build a strong and sustainable STEM community across North Dakota by connecting researchers, improving STEM opportunities in rural areas, and facilitating STEM education for students at tribal colleges. Key objectives include creating new partnerships between schools, colleges, and universities to increase STEM education and career opportunities, promoting hands-on learning and social connections, and strengthening STEM participation at tribal colleges. The project will establish a comprehensive STEM ecosystem in North Dakota through three focus areas: Administrative Core, STEM Pathways Core, and Tribal Colleges & Universities Core. The project will be implemented in collaboration with several other institutions across North Dakota, including community colleges and primarily undergraduate institutions, to address the lack of STEM opportunities in rural communities and the barriers posed by geographic distance.