Grant to Boost Diversity

NC State has received a two-year, $987,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to encourage underrepresented minority students to enter graduate school in engineering, science and related fields. The grant establishes the Bridge to the Doctorate Program at NC State and provides graduate-school fellowships for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. The grant will fund fellowships for 12 students for two years. Each student will receive a $30,000 annual stipend, payment of tuition and fees, medical insurance and travel funds for professional development activities.

Minorities traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields include African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.

“This grant helps us attract top graduate students and boosts the presence of underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines,” said Dr. Tony Mitchell, the program’s director who leads NC State’s Minority Engineering Programs and is assistant dean for student services in the College of Engineering.