This $192,194 National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) Project Grant award to Texas Tech University System, doing business as Texas Tech University, will establish a multi-institution research hub to study factors influencing retention and graduation of rural, low-income STEM students. The project aims to build capacity at rural-serving institutions to conduct research on how a sense of belonging impacts the academic and career trajectories of this student population. Key activities include gathering and analyzing data from rural, low-income students in NSF S-STEM programs, providing technical support for STEM education research at rural institutions, and disseminating findings on effective interventions to support rural STEM students. This effort seeks to address gaps in understanding the unique challenges faced by rural, low-income students in enrolling, persisting, and completing STEM degrees, in order to grow the STEM workforce in these communities.