Project Grant 2436204

This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) provides $299,977 to a collaborative initiative called the Advancing Semiconductor Education through Expansion and Diversification (ASEED) program. The initiative is a partnership between three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) - Prairie View A&M University, Central State University, and Alabama A&M University.

The ASEED initiative aims to address challenges minority-serving institutions face in semiconductor research and education, including access to training, costly facilities, and community impacts. The project focuses on advancing research and education in three key areas: 2D semiconductor nanomaterials, AI chip design, and GaN-based ultra-wide band gap semiconductor devices. Each partner institution leads a specific research area while contributing to the overall goals. The award will enhance academic offerings, including new certificate programs and specialized tracks at both undergraduate and graduate levels, enriched with hands-on lab experiences and industry partnerships. The goal is to create seamless educational pathways in STEM fields and cultivate a skilled and diverse semiconductor workforce.