Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Tuskegee University has been awarded a $2 million grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM) to support the Investing in Brilliance (IB-STEM) project.
This award will support 23 academically high-performing, low-income freshman and sophomore students in Mathematics and Aerospace Engineering with annual scholarships of up to $15,000 for up to five years.
Led by Dr. Chadia Aji, Professor of Mathematics and principal investigator, and Dr. M. Javed Khan, Head of the Aerospace Science Engineering Department and co-principal investigator, the IB-STEM project is designed to increase STEM degree completion among talented students with financial need while contributing to the national demand for a strong STEM workforce. The project also advances research on how the integration of financial aid with structured academic and professional development impacts student persistence in STEM.
“We are focused on all of the factors that can cause some of our most talented students to drop out,” said Dr. Aji. “This grant will enable us to actively support Tuskegee’s commitment to increase retention.”
In addition to financial support, scholars will benefit from comprehensive support, including faculty advising, tutoring, mentoring, research experiences, and industry partnerships designed to strengthen both academic success and career preparation.
“Tuskegee was successful in securing this grant because of our demonstrated strength in mentoring, experiential learning, and creating evidence-based pathways that empower students in STEM, continuing a long legacy of producing leaders who overcome barriers,” said Dr. Channapatna Prakash, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
As if explicitly written for Tuskegee, the NSF grant description specifically notes that it is “particularly interested in supporting the attainment of degrees in fields identified as critical to the nation.”
“Tuskegee University prepares leaders to solve the world’s most complex problems,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO. “This grant will help provide resources for students who are focused on careers in STEM and identifying solutions that will influence the nation.”
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