Grants Resource Center – by Graeff, Frank

The National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled several new programs to break down barriers to entering scientific fields, tied to the release of a new White House strategy for STEM education. Last week, the administration released Charting a Course for Success: A Federal Strategy for STEM Education, which lays out plans to further STEM education by working with state and local stakeholders, the education community and American employers. To support these goals, NSF has committed millions of dollars to three education focused programs.

The first program is NSF’s Data Science Corps, which will provide basic training in data science to existing workforces at the local, state and national levels, teaching new skills and offering new experiences. The foundation committed $10 million to this effort.

Secondly, NSF expects to fund 200 internships of up to $55,000 for graduate students in FY 19 and FY 20. Through this commitment to the existing NSF INTERN program, the foundation provides opportunities for graduate students currently supported by other NSF awards to gain experiences in industry and other non-academic settings, preparing them for their careers.

Finally, a new partnership between NASA and NSF has been formed to expand the number of scientists from underrepresented groups. Building off the NSF INCLUDES program, one of the 10 Big Ideas that serves as NSF’s strategic plan, NASA will now collaborate with efforts to broaden participation in STEM careers, promote STEM among citizens, establish a STEM workforce, and eliminate barriers hindering underrepresented groups from pursuing STEM education.