Federal Grant Award Summary

Allan Hancock Joint Community College District received a $1.2M project grant awarded on March 15, 2026, by the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076). This collaborative research initiative will provide scholarships averaging $13,000 for up to five years to high-achieving, low-income students pursuing associate degrees at Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College, as well as bachelor of science degrees in computer science and engineering. The project will operate through February 29, 2032, and will support student success through faculty co-mentoring across institutions, strengths coaching, internship placements, and student research opportunities.

The program's primary deliverable is the development of strong scholar cohorts and institutional networks designed to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree completion among financially disadvantaged, academically talented undergraduates. An experienced external evaluator will assess the project's effectiveness in supporting successful transfer and institutional change, generating data on evidence-based strategies for supporting low-income STEM students. This effort directly addresses the national workforce need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians to ensure economic competitiveness and domestic leadership in critical STEM sectors.