Social mobility through arkansas tech program

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Arkansas Tech University $2 million on July 1, 2026, under the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program (CFDA 47.076, Assistance Listing STEM Education).

The award funds scholarships for 40 high-achieving, low-income undergraduates pursuing bachelor's degrees in computer science, cybersecurity, mathematics, physics, engineering physics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Scholars receive scholarships averaging $7,000 for up to five years. The project provides faculty mentoring, establishes a living learning community, and offers social and networking events promoting family and community involvement. Scholars participate in research internships, micro-internships, and career shadowing opportunities. An experienced evaluator will assess program strengths, weaknesses, and impact on participating students, contributing to the knowledge base on effective strategies for supporting talented, low-income STEM undergraduates.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2032, with performance at Arkansas Tech University's Russellville, Arkansas campus. The project aims to increase STEM degree completion and strengthen the workforce in artificial intelligence, advanced materials and manufacturing, cybersecurity, and related critical sectors.

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 arkansas tech university. A total of 40 scholars pursuing bachelor of science in computer science, cybersecurity, mathematics, physics, engineering physics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering will receive scholarships averaging $7,000 for up to five years. Scholars will receive faculty mentoring and the project will build strong scholar cohorts through a living learning community, social and networking opportunities, and events that promote family and community involvement. Additional activities for scholars include research internships, micro-internships, and career shadowing. The overall goal of this track 1 scholarships in stem project is to increase stem degree completion of academically talented, low-income undergraduates 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, advanced materials and manufacturing, cybersecurity, and other key areas of need. The project will be assessed by an experienced evaluator that will offer insights into the program's strengths and weaknesses to demonstrate its efficiency and impact on participating scholars, and 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.