Raising awareness and creating pathways to the biotechnology workforce

Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) was awarded $468,726 under the National Science Foundation's STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) on August 1, 2025, to implement a three-year Track 1 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) project addressing biotechnology workforce development in New York's Capital Region. The project delivers a comprehensive suite of educational services and community engagement initiatives designed to raise awareness of biotechnology career pathways and build a skilled technical workforce. Key products and services include evidence-based curriculum development incorporating industry and community input, hands-on training experiences that introduce biotechnology concepts and practical skills, and strategic recruitment and assessment activities. The initiative engages an estimated 500 community members through multiple delivery mechanisms, including adult awareness sessions, family enrichment nights, summer camps, and career advisor training events conducted in accessible community settings such as high schools, libraries, community centers, and educational opportunity centers throughout the region.

The project's overarching objectives center on expanding the biotechnology program and increasing awareness of career pathways within the sector. By directly connecting local residents with biotechnology career and educational opportunities, the initiative aims to increase the pipeline of technicians entering the workforce and contribute to the broader expansion of the nation's bioeconomy. The project design emphasizes adaptability, positioning its evidence-based methods as a replicable model for biotechnology workforce development initiatives in other communities nationwide. The award period extends through July 31, 2028.

Abstract

In response to the growing demand for skilled technicians in new york?s capital region, a specialized training initiative emerged to support the workforce needs of its expanding biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. This track 1 ATE project expands and enhances the initiative by strengthening regional engagement with the bioeconomy and local educational opportunities. Over three years, participants take part in hands-on experiences that introduce key biotechnology concepts, highlight career and educational pathways, and develop practical, real-world skills. The project fosters interest in biotechnology careers and supports professional growth. Designed for adaptability, its methods serve as a model for other communities nationwide. By directly connecting local communities with biotechnology career and educational pathways, the project opens entry points into the field and significantly increases the number of technicians entering the workforce, ultimately contributing to the expansion of the nation's bioeconomy. Expanding a biotechnology program and increasing awareness of biotechnology career pathways serve as the overarching goals of this initiative. Achieving these goals involves (1) evidence-based curriculum development, (2) strategic program planning and recruitment, and (3) effective assessment to guide ongoing implementation. Through a range of initiatives?including adult awareness sessions, family enrichment nights, summer camps, and career advisor lunch-and-learn events?the project engages an estimated 500 community members. These experiences take place in community-based settings such as high schools, libraries, community centers, and the region's educational opportunity centers, ensuring accessibility for local residents. Curricula for these programs incorporate input from both the community and industry partners to equip participants with a strong understanding of the skills and training needed for entry into the biotechnology workforce. Additionally, program instructors receive training on effective engagement strategies to connect with and inspire community participants. Evaluation of the project examines the effectiveness of these interventions by analyzing participant numbers, outcome surveys, and enrollment growth in biotechnology degree programs. Curriculum developed through this project reaches educational institutions regionally and nationally through conferences, databases, and the state university of new york system. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation?s economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.