S-stem: future stem professionals in artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum science, and biotechnology

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded the University of Colorado, Boulder $2 million on January 1, 2027, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to support retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income undergraduates pursuing degrees in quantum science, artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology.

The project will provide scholarships covering unmet financial need up to $15,000 annually for up to five years to 24 undergraduate scholars. Supported activities include faculty and peer mentoring, peer cohort experiences, academic coaching, professional development, and internship experiences. The initiative targets degree completion and workforce preparation in critical STEM sectors.

An independent evaluator will conduct matched-comparison analyses tracking retention, time-to-degree, graduate outcomes, and workforce or graduate school placement, generating evidence on effective strategies for supporting talented, low-income STEM students. Performance takes place in Boulder, Colorado through December 31, 2032.

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 the university of colorado, boulder. A total of 24 scholars pursuing degrees in quantum science, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and biotechnology will receive scholarships that cover unmet need up to $15,000 for undergraduates for up to five years. Scholars will receive faculty and peer mentoring and the project will build strong scholar cohorts through peer cohort experiences and sustained mentoring. Additional activities for scholars include academic coaching, professional development, and internship experiences. The overall goal of this track 2 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, quantum science, and biotechnology, and other key areas of need. The project will be assessed by an experienced evaluator that will conduct matched-comparison analyses of retention, time-to-degree, graduate outcomes, and workforce or graduate school placement, 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.