Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded $467,053 to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2029. This REU Site (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) award supports the delivery of comprehensive research training and professional development services to 10 undergraduate students annually for 10 weeks during summer sessions, totaling 30 participants across the three-year funding period. The Center will provide original, hypothesis-driven research experiences in plant science and biotechnology to undergraduates from institutions with limited research opportunities, first-generation students, and early-stage undergraduates, with particular emphasis on recruitment from underrepresented populations across the United States.

The deliverables include mentored research projects aligned with NSF priorities in artificial intelligence and biotechnology; professional development activities covering research methodologies, data documentation, and scientific communication; an internal research symposium where all students present findings; publication support enabling students to present at scientific conferences and submit research to journals; and post-program career tracking assessment utilizing a modified Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) survey. These services support NSF's broader strategic objective of workforce development in the biological sciences while addressing the growing need for skilled researchers in plant biology and biotechnology relevant to global agricultural sustainability and food security.