This federal Project Grant award of $700,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) is for the "LOUIS STOKES NEW STEM PATHWAYS IMPLEMENTATION-ONLY ALLIANCE: ALIGNING STEM TRAINESS FOR ENTERPRISING RESEARCH IN KANSAS AND NEBRASKA" project.
The key products and services to be delivered through this grant include developing educational pathways between 2-year community colleges and 4-year universities in eastern Kansas and Nebraska to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation of underrepresented minority students in STEM disciplines. The project will use evidence-based practices such as undergraduate research experiences, faculty mentoring, professional development, and academic support programs to help prepare students for STEM careers in academia, industry, and government. Specific activities include creating a student application process, matching students with faculty mentors, providing bimonthly professional development, and organizing STEM conferences and orientations.
The award recipient is the University of Kansas Center for Research Inc., a non-profit subsidiary that manages federal grants and contracts. The Center has planned subawards with the University of Nebraska, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and Pittsburg State University to implement various components of the project across the regional alliance.