Preparing problem solvers in atmospheric, computational, and data sciences

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc. $1,999,943 on October 1, 2026, under the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program (CFDA 47.076) to support retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students pursuing degrees in computational mathematics, data science, and meteorology.

The project will provide scholarships averaging $15,000 for up to five years to a total of 20 B.S. and B.S./M.S. scholars. Beyond tuition support, scholars will receive faculty and peer mentoring through a structured mentoring network, participate in internships and research projects, and engage in experiential learning activities designed to build cohorts and strengthen academic and professional preparation in atmospheric science, artificial intelligence, computer science, and data analytics.

Performance of work occurs in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a period of performance from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2032. An independent evaluator will provide formative feedback for program improvement and summative evaluation of project goal attainment. The evaluation data will contribute to the knowledge base on effective strategies for supporting talented, low-income students in STEM fields.

Abstract

This project will contribute to the national need for well-educated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need at embry-riddle aeronautical university. A total of 20 scholars pursuing B.S. And B.S./M.S. In computational mathematics, data science and meteorology will receive scholarships averaging $15,000 for up to five years. Scholars will receive faculty and peer mentoring and the project will build strong scholar cohorts through a mentoring network, internships, research projects, and other experiential learning activities. The overall goal of this track 2 scholarships in stem project is to increase stem degree completion of academically talented, low-income undergraduates and graduate students with demonstrated financial need. There is a significant national need to grow the stem workforce and nurture key talent that will ensure economic competitiveness and provide domestic leadership across critical sectors. This project directly speaks to this need by supporting stem student success, which will strengthen the workforce in artificial intelligence, computer science, atmospheric science, data analytics and other key areas of need. The project will be assessed by an experienced evaluator that will provide formative feedback to improve program improvement and summative evaluation on project goal attainment. The data generated will contribute to the knowledge base regarding effective strategies to support talented, low-income students in stem. This project is funded by NSF?s scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics program, which seeks to increase the number of academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need who earn degrees in stem fields. IT also aims to improve the education of future stem workers, and to generate knowledge about academic success, retention, transfer, graduation, and academic/career pathways of low-income students. 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 not planned for this award.