NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program

A well-educated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce isa significant contributorto maintaining the competitiveness of the U.S. in the global economy. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program addresses the need for a high quality STEM workforce in STEM disciplines supported by the program and for the increased success of low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)[6], [16]. Recognizing that financial aid alone cannot increase retention and graduation in STEM, the program provides awards to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to fund scholarships and to advance the adaptation, implementation, and study of effective evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities that support recruitment, retention, transfer (if appropriate), student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in STEM. The S-STEM program encourages collaborations among different types of participating groups, including but not limited topartnerships among different types of institutions; collaborations of STEM faculty and institutional, educational, and social science researchers; and partnerships among institutions of higher education and business, industry, local community organizations, national labs, or other federal or state government organizations,if appropriate. The program seeks to 1) increase the number of low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need obtaining degrees in S-STEM eligibledisciplinesand entering the workforce or graduate programs in STEM; 2) improve the education of future scientists, engineers, and technicians, with a focus on low-income academically talented students with demonstrated financial need; and 3) generate knowledge to advance understanding of howinterventions or evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities affect the success, retention, transfer, academic/career pathways, and graduation of low-income students in STEM. Scholars must be low-income, academically talented students with unmet financial need who areenrolled in an associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree program, with a major in an S-STEMeligible discipline. S-STEM Eligible Degree Programs Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Applied Science Master of Arts and Master of Science Doctoral S-STEM Eligible Disciplines Biological sciences (except medicine and other clinical fields) Physical sciences (including physics, chemistry, astronomy, and materials science) Mathematical sciences Computer and information sciences Geosciences Engineering Technology fields associated with the disciplines above (e.g. biotechnology, chemical technology, engineering technology, information technology) Note that programs in business schools that lead to Bachelor of Arts or Science in Business Administration degrees (BABA/BSBA) are not eligible for S-STEM funding. Proposers are strongly encouraged to contact Program Officers before submitting a proposal if they have questions concerning degree eligibility. The S-STEM program particularly encourages proposals from 2-year institutions, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), tribal colleges and universities, and urban and ruralpublic institutions.