Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte received a $2.0 million Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), awarded March 15, 2026, through the Division of Undergraduate Education. This collaborative research initiative supports the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students pursuing Associate in Science and Bachelor's degrees in Biology, Data Science, and Computer Science across five North Carolina institutions: UNC Charlotte, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Cleveland Community College, Gaston College, and South Piedmont Community College. The project will provide scholarships of up to $15,000 per year to at least 120 scholars with demonstrated financial need, supported through a comprehensive array of student success services.

Core deliverables include faculty mentoring, cohort-building activities (shared courses, undergraduate research, and service-learning opportunities), tutoring, success coaching, and targeted career services. The project emphasizes development of scholars' transfer and science capital while addressing the national workforce need in critical STEM sectors. An independent evaluator will assess project outcomes through February 28, 2031, with research findings contributing to the broader knowledge base on effective strategies for supporting talented, low-income students in STEM disciplines. This Track 3 S-STEM project directly advances national priorities in workforce development and economic competitiveness through evidence-based student support interventions.