Planning: aaniiih nakoda college partnership: collaborative international research, culture, and learning experience

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Aaniiih Nakoda College $299,208 on August 15, 2026, to plan a collaborative international STEM research and learning partnership under the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP).

Aaniiih Nakoda College will conduct planning activities to establish networks and relationships enabling STEM faculty and students at TCUP institutions to collaborate with peers internationally on research and discovery projects of mutual interest. The planning period explores potential STEM projects across multiple disciplines and establishes partnerships to facilitate shared exploration while addressing common cultural and environmental challenges. The college aims to develop a cadre of STEM professionals capable of communicating effectively across geographic, cultural, and national boundaries by exposing faculty and students to diverse perspectives and collaborative opportunities.

The award covers the period August 15, 2026, through July 31, 2028, with place of performance in Harlem, Montana. The funding is provided under CFDA 47.076 (STEM Education, formerly Education and Human Resources). No sub-awards are planned for this grant.

Abstract

A goal of the tribal colleges and universities program (tcup) is to increase the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem) instructional and research capacities of designated institutions of higher education. Expanding the stem curricular offerings at these institutions expands the opportunities for their students to pursue challenging and rewarding careers in stem fields, provides for research studies in areas of national interest, and encourages a community and generational appreciation for science and mathematics education. That appreciation is enhanced considerably by the ability of practitioners to collaborate with peers on areas of common interest and relevance, both nationally and internationally. This project aligns directly with that goal. Aaniiih nakoda college conducts this planning project to lay the groundwork for facilitating stem faculty and training stem students at tcup institutions to pursue discovery with colleagues from regions of common interests, with the ultimate goal of producing a cadre of stem professionals who can communicate effectively across geographic, cultural, and national boundaries. The planning period explores projects of mutual or related interests across multiple stem fields of study, and establishes networks that accommodate shared exploration. IT fosters meaningful relationships and collaborative efforts to address shared cultural and environmental challenges, enriching faculty and students by exposing them to a wide range of perspectives and issues. 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.