Project Grant 2527803

This $987,613 Project Grant, awarded March 15, 2026, by the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), supports a collaborative initiative across three institutions—Alfred University, Colorado School of Mines, and Missouri University of Science and Technology—to increase completion rates and career readiness for low-income, high-achieving undergraduate students in ceramic and glass engineering. The project will provide scholarships of up to $15,000 annually for up to five years to an estimated 45 scholars, complemented by comprehensive support services including faculty, peer, and industry mentoring, paid summer internship programs, industry partner site visits, undergraduate research opportunities, and professional conference participation.

The initiative addresses a critical national need for skilled professionals in ceramic and glass engineering disciplines, which are essential to the semiconductor, energy, space, and other strategically important sectors despite the limited number of accredited programs nationwide. Beyond direct scholar support, the project includes an external evaluation component designed to generate evidence-based data on effective retention and graduation strategies for talented, low-income STEM students, contributing to broader knowledge in undergraduate STEM education. The project is scheduled for completion by February 28, 2031.