Concord University receives $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation for STEM Scholarships

ATHENS, WV (WVNS) — Concord University announced that they received a $1 million grant for STEM scholarships from the National Science Foundation.

According to a press release from Concord University, the $1 million grant was awarded to Concord University’s College of Science, Mathematics, and Health for a project called “Science Engagement and Active Mentoring to Build Identity among Students in Computer Science, Chemistry and Geosciences,” also known as SEAM Program, by the National Science Foundation.

The press release stated that students at Concord University who are high-achieving and need financial assistance will be helped by the project, which supports keeping and helping students graduate, and aiding the demand for engineers, technicians, scientists, and mathematicians across the nation.

According to the press release from Concord University, the project will start on October 1, 2024, and end on September 30, 2030. 19 full-time students who are working towards earning bachelor of science degrees in environmental geosciences, chemistry, computer information systems, and computer science will have scholarships funded by the project.

Four-year scholarships and enrichment activities will be given to first-year students at Concord University who are eligible for the federal PELL grant and qualify for the program. The press release stated that the scholarships and activities will help the students with social and academic growth throughout their years at Concord University until they graduate.

The project will help students with their STEM and professional identity and development through the use of workshops, career and entrepreneurial focused field trips, cohort building, and direct mentoring by student peers and faculty.

Cohorts involved in the SEAM program will be able to get involved in research and outreach activities at both the Rare Earth Element Analysis Center at Concord University, and the NSF-funded NanoEarth laboratory at Virginia Tech.

According to the press release from Concord University, high school seniors will start being recruited by Concord University in 2024 for the 2025 SEAM cohort, and students who are interested can contact Dr. Joseph Allen by email at allenj@concord.edu.

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