The Texas A&M University System received a $499,852 Project Grant award from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) competitive grants program. The grant will support experiential learning opportunities for 45 underrepresented undergraduates from two Texas Hispanic Serving Institutions and two Historically Black Colleges and Universities through faculty-guided research internships at Texas A&M University from April 2021 through March 2026. Students will gain skills in the scientific method, creative and analytical thinking, and diversity and inclusion through hands-on research participation and workshops. The project will also create a sustained student community, including coaching, a virtual conference for students to present research, and a website to share project outputs. If successfully completed, the program aims to broaden opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM fields and increase diversity in the agricultural workforce and graduate programs.