Grants

Town of Lonaconing

Beechwood Road Bridge

Beechwood School Foundation

Beechwood School Foundation is an active grantmaking foundation based in Fullerton, CA. Focus: education. Contact the foundation directly for current funding opportunities.

Rainier Beach Link2Lake Open Space Steering Committee

The Rainier Beach Link2Lake Open Space Steering Committee will create a schematic design for improvements at Beer Sheva Park. Possible improvements to the park's lakeside end of the S. Henderson Street corridor include greater shoreline access, walkways, and art installations. The Steering Committee will hire a landscape architect to facilitate a community engagement process, develop the schematic design and investigate feasibility and permitting requirements.

Rainier Beach Link2Lake Open Space Steering Committee

With the approval of the Department of Parks and Recreation, construction documents, 100% bid ready, will be produced for improvements at Beer Sheva Park. This phase will continue to demonstrate strong community momentum, engaging the diverse population of the Rainier Beach Community.

CA Department of Food and Agriculture

Project Scope: The Beet Curly Top Virus Control Program (BCTVCP) may consider funding projects that develop new management methods for treating the beet leafhopper (BLH), the primary vector of the beet curly top virus or development of enhancements to other program areas that will mitigate the virus. Priorities: The funding will be based on the researcher using a no pesticide alternative or Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) approved pesticides registered for use in CA on BLH and/or on rangeland/hillside.  Application Deadlines: Proposals must be submitted 30 days prior to posted meetings of Beet Curly Top Virus Control Board or Beet Curly Top Virus Control Board Diagnostics Subcommittee posted at www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/Meetings

NIA - National Institute on Aging

ABSTRACT Lung cancer, while the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, can, in up to 30% of patients, be treated by surgical resection. Yet, more than half of patients eligible for lung cancer resection are older adults (≥65 years), of which 70% are “pre-frail” or “frail.” Frailty portends poor perioperative outcomes, such as increased postoperative complications, length of stay, hospital costs, post-discharge institutionalization and mortality. The American College of Surgeons and other international societies recommend frailty mitigation by offering patients prehabilitation (prehab) programs that focus on exercise, nutrition, and social support. Despite prehab clinical trials providing strong evidence of efficacy, only 10-30% of patients actually adhere to prehab programs and the translation of these programs into clinical practice has been challenging. In our pilot studies of BeFitMe, a wearable technology-based prehab application that provides, encourages, and tracks self-guided, at-home exercise, based on the National Institute of Aging Go4Life exercises, uptake (enrollment of eligible patients) was 50%, adherence (exercising at least 50% of available preoperative prehab time) was 43%, and performance (exercising at least 150 min/week) was 35%. Lack of “end-user” participation in the design of an intervention, particularly a behavioral intervention such as prehab, can lead to poor uptake, adherence, and performance. Indeed, we are unaware of any current prehab program that applied a user-centered co-design approach to fully ascertain and address the specific needs, values, and preferences of the end-users, particularly the older adult patients. Furthermore, no prehab programs reported using any implementation science principles to integrate and adapt the intervention to varied clinical contexts. As a Stage I study in the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development, we propose to (1) Engage end-users (patients, caregivers, clinicians) in user-centered co-design to enhance BeFitMe and increase its uptake, adherence, and performance by older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery and (2) Apply an implementation framework to increase reach, adoption, and sustainability of the prehab program in clinical care. This project will provide me with experiential opportunity to gain new knowledge, skills, and expertise in user-centered co-design and usability testing, applied implementation science, and clinical trial methods. My long-term goal is to become a surgeon-scientist leader focused on optimizing the pre-hospital, in-hospital, and post-hospital phases of surgical care for prefrail/frail older adults with lung cancer and other surgical conditions.

NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute

PROJECT SUMMARY The advancements in genomic medicine have significantly accelerated over the past decade. However, their translation into clinical practice have been slow, and the precise treatment options are essentially nonexistent. The formulation of effective therapies is obstructed by the vast diversity of genetic diseases and the limited number of patients diagnosed with any specific genetic condition. Furthermore, the inefficiency often encountered in diagnostic workups leads to delayed diagnoses for children, rendering it difficult to test interventions effectively at an appropriate stage of their condition. There exists an urgent necessity to bridge the disparities between the prompt identification of patients who are likely to have a genetic disease, the delineation of a precise genetic diagnosis, and the development of effective precision therapies. This project is centered on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and establishes a framework for an innovative approach to addressing its challenges by integrating rapid turnaround diagnostics with expedited gene-targeted therapies. Within this model, we will provide rapid genome sequencing to patients in the NICU, where many severe childhood genetic conditions initially present—approximately 20% of all admissions—thus offering the opportunity for early diagnosis, prior to irreversible disease progression. Furthermore, we will leverage our VIGOR network and collaborate with comprehensive sequencing facilities, such as GeneDx, to identify NICU cases that exhibit specific types of mutations and conditions that qualify them for patient- customized antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) therapies. These ASOs are modular therapeutic agents composed of snippets of synthetic DNA or RNA, ranging from 15-30 nucleotides, which can be flexibly tailored to modulate specific gene-splicing patterns or target genes for degradation. Our previous work has demonstrated the feasibility of developing ASOs as a platform for precision treatment in several genetic conditions. This proposal lays the groundwork for the implementation of precision medicine within the NICU. We will focus on identifying opportunities to use ASOs to treat NICU infants with various rare genetic disorders due to the pharmacological advantages conferred by ASOs. In Aim 1, we will conduct rapid genome sequencing on a cohort of NICU infants with rare genetic conditions and implement a systematic algorithm to identify pathogenic variants amenable to ASO intervention sourced from diverse resources. In Aim 2, we will establish a biorepository to preserve biospecimens and assess their ASO amenability through RNA sequencing, subsequently referring them to laboratories and non-profit organizations for the advancement of ASO-based therapeutic modalities. In Aim 3, we will survey the families and healthcare providers regarding this precision NICU care model. This initiative will address the pressing necessity for translational genomic medicine for infants suffering from severe genetic disorders and will provide a widely applicable framework for linking rapid genetic diagnosis to rapid precision therapy across other populations as well.

Skip Line, Inc.

Beginning July 1, 2017 Skip Line’s circuit boards will need to be completely lead-free in order to continue to grow sales in the UK. The entire project includes land, building and equipment purchase. The equipment is needed for the transition to a complete lead-free circuit board which will enable the company to expand its market into the UK.

NSF

With the continuing emerging need for new technologies, policies, and approaches to sharing the wireless spectrum, a nationwide wireless spectrum workforce development effort is needed. This workforce development effort builds upon a foundation of previously run undergraduate spectrum workshops, organized by national Spectrum Innovation Center SMART Hub, and held between 2023 and 2025. In this project, we expand the summer workshop with academic year, cohort-based mentoring program that is crafted around the summer workshop experiences to develop a spectrum workforce pipeline, and to launch knowledgeable students into wireless spectrum careers. This “Spectrum Sizzle” program includes a progression of undergraduate workshops, connected by career mentoring, internships, and ultimately career placement, that will span a student’s college experience. The goals of the project are the following: (1) Develop and execute different levels of summer Spectrum Sizzle undergraduate spectrum workshops (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) to be held at SMART Hub university campuses across the United States, designed for three summers within the college experience; (2) develop a Spectrum Sizzle mentorship program whereby clinicians and career development experts are put in regular contact with student workshop participants to mentor them toward wireless spectrum careers, and to connect students with internship and career opportunities; and (3) follow up with Spectrum Sizzle participants after their placement into the spectrum workforce and investigate gaps in training, using this knowledge for continuous improvement of the program. Summer hands-on, residential workshops will spark interest and provide intensive contact with spectrum science, engineering, and policy for participants. Building from the workshop experiences, a cohort-based curriculum will be developed to foster career development through the college experiences of program participants. Students will be mentored throughout the year by industry, government, and academic professionals, and will gain assistance with internship and career placement within the spectrum metadiscipline. This program will usher participating students from their first exposure to spectrum all the way through placement into a fruitful spectrum career, and will build the nation’s future spectrum workforce. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This ExLENT Beginnings Track project aims to serve the national interest by developing robust experiential learning pathways in Semiconductor Quantum Technologies (SQT) that expand workforce opportunities across the state of New York. Encompassing advanced semiconductor manufacturing, quantum information science, microelectronics, and photonics, the SQT sector underpins many next-generation technologies, yet the United States faces an urgent workforce shortage in this critically important area. This challenge has been intensified by an aging workforce, increasingly complex production demands, and a surging global need driven by rapid advances in AI and Quantum computing. Importantly, New York state is home to an expanding semiconductor ecosystem, positioning it to lead workforce development efforts that may serve as a model for other parts of the country. This initiative brings together a cross-sector partnership that includes New York City College of Technology and Queensborough Community College, the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), and two industry partners. Through immersive, hands-on experiences, associate and bachelor's level STEM students engage in the full technology development cycle. By supporting entry into careers across the SQT landscape, this effort responds to urgent workforce needs while advancing national competitiveness. The project pursues five key objectives: 1) provide students with hands-on experiences in traditional semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing applications through practical training and internships, 2) introduce students to advanced semiconductor research by utilizing ASRC's Photonics Core facilities, 3) leverage industrial expertise to ensure curriculum alignment with current manufacturing needs, 4) incorporate innovative perspective to prepare students for emerging technologies, and 5) establish clear pathways into careers in the advanced semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing sectors. To implement these objectives, the initiative integrates a sequence of structured experiences, including a winter seminar on semiconductor fundamentals, spring professional development and virtual industry sessions, summer site visits, and intensive research boot camps and internships. Distinct tracks for associate- and bachelor-level students engage more than 45 participants over three years. City Tech's newly developed quantum technology curriculum combined with industry exposure and mentorship, equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Evaluation and assessment efforts employ a mixed-methods approach with a focus on project implementation fidelity and the impact of program activities on participant outcomes. Dissemination occurs through local and national channels, including the CUNY Teaching and Learning Conference, publications and professional presentations. Overall, this effort advances the development of a collaborative, replicable model to advance both technology development and workforce preparation. The NSF ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and their access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The Biotechnology Industry Opportunities, Professional Readiness, and Employment Program (BIO-PREP) will serve undergraduate biology, biological sciences, and chemistry majors by increasing their awareness of and preparedness for careers in biotechnology. Students in these majors often enter university with the intention of entering healthcare fields due to familiarity with those career opportunities. This lack of awareness of the breadth of possible careers leads to a shortage of scientific workers in bioscience fields. Even when students do know of biotechnology, many are unable to leave paid jobs for unpaid summer internships. BIO-PREP will allow students to understand their postgraduate career options and build the skills and confidence necessary for success; a benefit both to students and to the biotechnology sector seeking to hire qualified scientific workers. BIO-PREP will implement a biotechnology career explorations course paired with laboratory skills training and micro-credentialing. These activities will enable participants to build technical skillsets, to build confidence around being prepared to work in industry and will increase connections with employers. The program will also feature peer and alumni mentoring, internships with industry partners, and financial assistance. The program will be evaluated to determine the efficacy and impact on students and their career choices, mastery of technical skills by students completing the curriculum, and development of soft skills valued by employers. This program can be replicable in other biotechnology-heavy regions, and curriculum materials and project results will be disseminated to industry and education stakeholders. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The Dakota Biotechnology Rural Workforce Development Program is responsive to a regional workforce need by enabling current STEM students and recent STEM graduates in South Dakota’s rural communities to obtain specialized training in applications of biotechnology. This training is facilitated through the combination of an online Biotechnology Certificate with on-site, cohort-based internships offered through a network of biotechnology companies located within commuting distance of the interns’ home communities. Each internship opportunity is aligned with a specific long-term career opportunity to ensure seamless bridge-to-career internship outcomes. Spatial clustering across the network of participating companies enables the use of corporate vanpooling to ensure that each intern has reliable, no-cost job-site transportation. The Primary Goal of this program is to provide individuals from rural communities with access to experiential training and careers in the emerging field of biotechnology. The cross-sector partners of this program include: 1) a network of twenty-one companies hosting biotechnology-focused bridge-to-career internships; 2) a network of institutions of higher education (IHE) serving primarily rural communities; and 3) an External Evaluator. While the network of companies is responsible for administering the on-site, cohort-based, mentored internships, the institutions of higher education are responsible for vetting and approving all internships, mentor training, cohort recruitment, and administration of the formal Biotechnology Certificate Program. Separately, an External Evaluator is responsible for coordinating across the companies, IHEs, and trainees to execute a formal evaluation of the program. The findings will be used to improve this program and to determine which program attributes have the most positive impacts. Final outcomes and an adaptable model will be widely disseminated for the broad benefit of STEM educators and workforce development initiatives throughout the country to enhance the nation’s economic prosperity. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The growing demand for a motivated, well-trained STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce in emerging and advanced technology fields requires attracting and retaining a broad pool of talented students. NSF’s ExLENT (Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies) initiative addresses this need by supporting programs that use experiential learning to introduce participants to real-world, problem-solving experiences that build both knowledge and practical skills. However, the education and workforce sectors often operate in isolation, with limited overlap, collaboration, or systems-level thinking to support such integrated workforce development. To help bridge this gap, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) will organize two national forums—one in-person and one virtual—bringing together ExLENT grantees, business and industry leaders, and experts in experiential learning. These forums will allow grantees to learn from each other’s experiences, explore evidence-based strategies for supporting non-traditional learners, and build connections with potential employers in advanced engineering and technology sectors. The initiative will apply an “education ecosystem” approach, helping grantees recognize the broader landscape of organizations and policies that influence participants. By facilitating dialogue within the grantee community and between educators and employers, the NAE will promote collaboration and synergy across projects and sectors. The two proposed forums will bring together ExLENT awardees, business and industry leaders, and experts in experiential learning to identify levers of change for workforce development in emerging technologies. The first forum will focus on evidence-based strategies, peer learning, and relationship building. Approximately four months later, the second, virtual forum will reunite participants, along with additional system partners, to reflect on their experiences, assess the systems-approach framework, exchange lessons learned, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the convenings as a means of fostering collaborations. The forums will feature informative and interactive sessions that will include a mix of presentations, panel discussions, demonstrations, hands-on training, case studies, role-playing, small-group discussions, and networking opportunities. Topic-specific facilitators will enhance the quality and impact of these engagements. The proposal’s theory of action is that applying systems engineering principles and outcomes—proven effective in other domains—can generate new insights that improve outcomes for ExLENT grantees. These forums may thus inspire participants to refine their projects based on shared knowledge and perspectives. The NAE will disseminate forum outcomes through selected videos, written summaries, publications in education and technical outlets, and other materials tailored for specific audiences. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This project will address critical workforce development challenges at the intersection of emerging technology and natural resource management. As digital tools transform the forestry and natural resources industries, there is growing demand for professionals trained in data-driven technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and environmental sensor networks. However, existing training programs have not kept pace with these advancements, leaving a widening skills gap that threatens economic resilience, ecological sustainability, and workforce preparedness across these sectors. This project, Driving Real-World Integration of AI into Digital Forestry and Natural Resources (DRIAD), will build an inclusive, scalable, and collaborative ecosystem for experiential learning. Through immersive, real-world training and cross-sector partnerships, DRIAD will prepare a new generation of professionals to lead in technology-enabled natural resource management. The program serves the national interest by strengthening the STEM workforce, expanding participation in high-growth fields, and supporting sustainable resource use across forestry and allied disciplines. The DRIAD program will support at least 60 participants through a year-long, cohort-based model designed to provide hands-on, industry-informed training. Core activities include a three-week residential summer short course, monthly virtual professional development sessions, and ongoing mentorship by faculty and cross-sector professionals. Participants will complete applied projects grounded in real-world data collection and analysis using AI, UAS, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The curriculum will be developed in collaboration with partners from government agencies, NGOs, and industry to ensure relevance, scalability, and alignment with emerging workforce needs. In addition to developing technical fluency, the program emphasizes career-ready competencies such as data interpretation, systems thinking, and professional communication. Outcomes will include transferable models for experiential learning, new insights into effective technology adoption in workforce training, and contributions to the use of high-resolution digital tools in ecosystem monitoring and management. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations at professional society conferences, supporting innovation across natural resource professions. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This project addresses the critical gap in K–12 educator preparation for integrating rapidly evolving generative AI (GenAI) tools into classroom practice. While GenAI promises to transform learning environments, most secondary teachers lack both the technical proficiency and pedagogical frameworks to leverage these technologies effectively and safely. This project will develop and deliver a four-week experiential learning in AI and MerryQuery (ExLAIM) program by bringing together in-service K-12 teachers, undergraduate computing majors, and industry mentors to co-design AI-integrated curricula, assessments, and implementation plans tailored to classroom contexts. Building on evidence-based strategies in project-based and active learning, participants will engage in a learn-apply-reflect cycle, using MerryQuery, a retrieval-augmented generation chatbot, to scaffold lesson planning and assessment design. Participants will work in groups to iteratively prototype AI-enhanced instructional modules that integrate safety considerations, outlier detection, and reliability checks for classroom implementation. Structured mentorship with faculty, graduate students, and industry mentors, along with peer collaboration, will reinforce skill acquisition and facilitate integration into emerging technology careers. The project’s intellectual merit lies in uniting cutting-edge AI tool development with constructivist teacher learning, generating novel insights into how GenAI can be embedded within K–12 pedagogies to enhance instructional effectiveness. Broader impacts include expanding access to AI-focused professional development for educators in under-resourced and geographically dispersed school districts in North Carolina, developing graduate and undergraduate students who can work across disciplines, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and creating open-access curricular resources shared nationally to other teachers through the Computer Science Teachers Association. By empowering educators and undergraduate students as AI leaders, this initiative will foster a sustainable pipeline of AI-literate students and prepare them for future STEM careers at the intersection of human and artificial intelligence. This project is co-funded by the NSF IUSE: EDU Program which supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of undergraduate STEM education for all students. The ExLENT program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The Blue Economy, which includes sectors like fisheries and marine production, offshore transport and engineering, and offshore energy, contributed about $397 billion to the nation's GDP in 2019 and supported 2.4 million jobs. Maine and the New England region are vital to this sector but face challenges such as workforce shortages, declining natural resources, and infrastructure limitations. Digital Twin (DT) technology, which builds real-time virtual models of physical systems, is a transformative approach for monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. However, the U.S. workforce lacks sufficient DT training, especially in Maine, where few programs offer hands-on experience with DT systems. This ExLENT project aims to engage undergraduate and graduate students early in their degree programs and connect them with experiential learning opportunities. A cross-sector partnership includes five companies active in the Blue economy, one Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), and faculty labs leading DT research at the University of Maine. The project offers internship pathways, including workshops for professional development. The project will directly benefit 48 students by providing transformative learning experiences, support for internships, and career support. By preparing a capable DT workforce, the project will strengthen national capacity in Blue Economy technologies. This ExLENT project under the Beginnings track aims to engage undergraduate and graduate students with early, experiential learning opportunities in DT applications for the Blue Economy. The program addresses four main barriers: (1) limited access to educational DT test beds, (2) lack of early career pathways, (3) few professional development resources aligned with DT, and (4) financial barriers to participation. The program offers two internship pathways: (a) 8-week Summer Internships and (b) Through-the-Year Internships, both supported by pre-internship workshops, structured mentoring, and direct engagement with two educational test beds: a 1:70 lab-scale model of a flexible bottom-fixed offshore structure and a 1:4.5-scale floating ocean energy platform. Interns will learn core DT skills such as sensor fusion, AI-based analytics, and 3D visualization among others. Participants will also earn an industry-informed micro-credential on DT through the University of Maine System. The project will develop new knowledge about designing DT-focused experiential learning ecosystems and an understanding of how students learn from real-world operational data from educational test beds. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The Experiential Semiconductor Training in Emerging Nano-Technologies (ExSTENT) project will deliver a nine-week, cohort-based summer program designed by academic and industry partners to provide community college students with foundational hands-on training in semiconductor manufacturing and immersive exposure to four emerging nanotechnology sectors: biotechnology, solar energy, photonic circuits, and quantum circuits. By combining a five-week core course in semiconductor fabrication—covering cleanroom operations, electronic materials, lithography, deposition, etching, and key equipment use—with four, one-week intensive modules co-designed with industry partners, the project will support experiential learning opportunities in nanotechnology for students from all professional and educational backgrounds to address critical workforce gaps in the U.S. emerging technology fields. Participants will gain real-world experience through laboratory activities in UCSD’s Nano3 cleanroom and site visits to local industry facilities, while weekly professional development workshops and individualized mentoring will foster career readiness. Participation in the program will help to create a robust nanotechnology workforce pipeline that advances national prosperity and competitiveness in alignment with NSF’s mission. The project will (1) design and deliver targeted, hands-on training modules that develop competencies in semiconductor engineering and adjacent fields; (2) implement a scaffolded curriculum integrating lectures, laboratory exercises, and industry site visits; (3) evaluate outcomes via pre and post-program assessments, employer feedback, enrollment and retention metrics, and summative annual reports; and (4) ensure sustainability by transferring the core curriculum to community college partners through annual workshops and piloting, and by releasing an open-source toolkit of activity guides, instructional videos, and assessment tools. An advisory board of industry and academic experts will guide curriculum refinement and program evaluation, ensuring long-term scalability beyond NSF support. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This project addresses a pressing national need to develop a highly skilled biotechnology workforce capable of meeting the demands of rapidly evolving industries such as cell therapy and biomanufacturing. As the life sciences sector continues to expand, particularly in regional hubs like Frederick, Maryland, for example, there is growing urgency to train technicians who can support complex manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory processes. The project will prepare undergraduate and community college transfer students to meet these workforce demands by embedding hands-on, industry-aligned experiences into academic learning. It advances NSF’s mission by promoting the progress of science and technology, strengthening regional and national economic competitiveness, and supporting practice-based education in high-impact STEM fields. By aligning education with employer needs and evolving job roles, this initiative also helps address the changing nature of work in the biotechnology sector. Over a three-year period, the project will engage students from Hood College, Frederick Community College, and Hagerstown Community College in Frederick, Maryland. Students will enroll in two newly developed laboratory-intensive courses, one focused on cell therapy and the other on biomanufacturing. Topics include mammalian cell culture, gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9, microbial fermentation, protein purification, microscopy, flow cytometry, and GMP-compliant documentation. Courses will be developed and continuously refined with input from regional biopharmaceutical partners to ensure alignment with workforce needs. Students will gain proficiency in working with bioreactors, biosafety cabinets, and analytical tools, while developing essential soft skills in teamwork, documentation, and communication. To bridge classroom learning with real-world applications, the program includes site visits, industry-led mini-courses, and paid summer internships with full support for housing and travel. The curriculum is being developed with an eye toward future alignment with industry-recognized certifications. The project team will also engage with InnovateBio, a national biotechnology education center, to adopt national best practices and explore becoming a designated hub site. Sustainability is integral to the project’s design and will be supported through employer investment, regional workforce training partnerships, and the development of online and hybrid course delivery. As the program grows, it will strengthen academic-industry partnerships, support transfer student enrollment, and serve as a scalable model for skilled workforce training in biotechnology. By equipping students with competencies that are both academically rigorous and workforce-relevant this project will contribute to national efforts to close the technician skills gap and ensure the continued growth of the U.S. life sciences economy. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This project builds a structured, experiential learning model that prepares students, veterans, and career-transitioning professionals for roles in emerging technology sectors such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. The initiative provides paid internships at early-stage companies and commercialization training designed to meet the evolving needs of the innovative economy. Through national outreach, flexible scheduling, and modular program delivery, the program supports individuals entering high-growth fields. The initiative serves the national interest by strengthening the U.S. startup ecosystem, expanding the skilled workforce, and enabling broader access to innovative-related careers. Participants begin with a structured commercialization curriculum focused on venture development, intellectual property, and startup readiness. Following this training, they complete internships with STEM focused Kentucky-based startups, where they apply their skills to market analysis, customer discovery, and product development. The program leverages a cohort model, startup mentorship, and industry collaboration to provide hands-on experience in research translation and business innovation. Through continuous evaluation and collaboration with academic and industry partners, the project builds a replicable model for preparing emerging technology talent. Expected outcomes include improved commercialization capacity for startups, high-quality workforce development metrics, and a sustainable training framework that can be adopted nationally. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The NExT CHAMPION program aims to expand access to hydrogen energy careers and support workforce participation from all Americans. Hydrogen is a key enabler of U.S. energy security and resilience, with official reports projecting that the hydrogen sector could support up to 100,000 jobs nationwide by 2030. This initiative builds a regional hydrogen workforce pipeline by connecting two-year college students to advanced training opportunities, industry internships, and job placement services. Through strong partnerships with community colleges, industry leaders, regional workforce organizations, and four-year institutions, participants engage in hands-on learning, receive mentoring, and complete in-situ internships. The program is designed to broaden access and participation by offering mentoring, networking opportunities, and targeted interventions that address common barriers to workforce entry. The long-term goal is to strengthen the energy workforce and ensure that opportunities in hydrogen technologies are open to all Americans. This project supports experiential learning and technical skill development for non-traditional learners pursuing careers in hydrogen energy technologies. Built around the Recruitment–Awareness–Mentorship–Post-internship (RAMP) model, the program is developed and delivered in close collaboration with industry partners who help shape the curriculum, co-design learning activities, and host participants for immersive internship experiences. The training includes intensive modules on PEM electrolyzers, fuel cells, hydrogen safety, and infrastructure, supported by lab activities, simulation tools, and real-world case studies informed by industry input. Internships provide hands-on experience and direct mentorship in operational settings, ensuring that participants gain skills aligned with current and emerging workforce demands. The program’s cognitive apprenticeship framework emphasizes modeling, coaching, articulation, and reflection. Outcomes will be evaluated using both formative and summative methods, targeting participant retention, skill development, and employment placement. Project findings and curriculum materials will be disseminated to support broader adoption in other energy sectors. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The aerospace industry is vital to the U.S. economy and national security, driving innovation, high-skilled employment, global competitiveness, and technological leadership. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the aerospace industry to have an annual employment growth of 6% from 2023 to 2033. However, the aerospace workforce faces challenges including: 1) an aging workforce and knowledge drain, 2) skill shortages in emerging technologies, 3) education and training gaps, 4) limited pathways for community college students, and 5) high turnover rate and workforce retention issues. Acknowledging these challenges, this ExLENT Beginning project aims to develop a Community-College-University-Industry workforce pipeline strategically located at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, one of the nation’s hubs for the aerospace industry. This project aims to build and strengthen an aerospace workforce pipeline connecting Tarrant County College (TCC), the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), the UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and RECARO Aircraft Seating. All the sectors are local to the DFW area. The project is expected to 1) effectively align educational outcomes with workforce needs, 2) expand career access, 3) strengthen industry-academic partnerships, and 4) enhance aerospace literacy and outreach. The developed workforce model can be scaled nationwide for the aerospace industry, ultimately advancing national prosperity and welfare, and securing national defense. This project seeks to develop the aerospace workforce pipeline through a biannual 10-day cohort-based training program and a 2.5-month summer internship program. The trainees include community college students, university undergraduate students, and veteran students. All the trainees will be advised by academic and industry mentors from UTA, UTARI, TCC, RECARO, Lockheed Martin, and ANSYS. The training and internship programs will leverage 1) AR/VR modules, 2) hands-on training, 3) project-based collaborative learning, and 4) real-world industry-driven immersive learning to equip the trainees with critical industry-tailored skills in aerospace composite manufacturing, non-destructive evaluation, testing, digital twinning, and AI-enabled aerospace technologies. Furthermore, this project will host open-house days to boost the public's aerospace literacy and STEM interest. This ExLENT project will foster cohorts of students, veterans, researchers, and industry engineers to develop the aerospace engineering community collectively, reinforcing the U.S.’s leading position in aerospace and defense technologies. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This project addresses a national need for a skilled workforce in semiconductor manufacturing by providing undergraduate participants with immersive learning experiences in plasma engineering and materials processing. As semiconductor applications expand across industries such as computing, telecommunications, automotive, and defense systems, workforce preparation in this area is critical to national innovation, economic competitiveness, and technological leadership. By introducing participants to applied engineering, materials science, and real-world problem solving, the project strengthens the STEM pipeline and connects learners to future-facing career opportunities. The project enhances the capacity of academic institutions to prepare students for pathways into technical fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, plasma engineering, and advanced materials processing. The project engages participants from three university campuses in structured, scaffolded learning that builds from foundational technical skills to advanced plasma system design, materials characterization, and process optimization. Participants gain hands-on experience in plasma reactor operation, materials analysis, computational modeling, and process control, and apply these skills to real-world challenges such as semiconductor device fabrication and quality validation. The program features a cohort-based model that fosters peer collaboration and continuity of learning. Faculty and graduate student mentors provide technical coaching and guidance on academic and career pathways. Industry partners support participant development through feedback, design reviews, and exposure to engineering standards used in semiconductor manufacturing. Workshops at industry facilities and research laboratories and certification opportunities further immerse participants in STEM environments and expand their understanding of professional opportunities. The project aligns with industry workforce needs and offers insight into multiple career paths, including direct workforce entry and advanced technical roles. Outcomes will be assessed through participant engagement, skill development, mentor involvement, and career placement tracking, creating a replicable model for expanding access to STEM careers and advancing national workforce priorities. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

This project addresses a national need for a skilled workforce in semiconductor manufacturing by providing undergraduate participants with immersive learning experiences in plasma engineering and materials processing. As semiconductor applications expand across industries such as computing, telecommunications, automotive, and defense systems, workforce preparation in this area is critical to national innovation, economic competitiveness, and technological leadership. By introducing participants to applied engineering, materials science, and real-world problem solving, the project strengthens the STEM pipeline and connects learners to future-facing career opportunities. The project enhances the capacity of academic institutions to prepare students for pathways into technical fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, plasma engineering, and advanced materials processing. The project engages participants from three university campuses in structured, scaffolded learning that builds from foundational technical skills to advanced plasma system design, materials characterization, and process optimization. Participants gain hands-on experience in plasma reactor operation, materials analysis, computational modeling, and process control, and apply these skills to real-world challenges such as semiconductor device fabrication and quality validation. The program features a cohort-based model that fosters peer collaboration and continuity of learning. Faculty and graduate student mentors provide technical coaching and guidance on academic and career pathways. Industry partners support participant development through feedback, design reviews, and exposure to engineering standards used in semiconductor manufacturing. Workshops at industry facilities and research laboratories and certification opportunities further immerse participants in STEM environments and expand their understanding of professional opportunities. The project aligns with industry workforce needs and offers insight into multiple career paths, including direct workforce entry and advanced technical roles. Outcomes will be assessed through participant engagement, skill development, mentor involvement, and career placement tracking, creating a replicable model for expanding access to STEM careers and advancing national workforce priorities. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

There is a critical need to build and sustain a talent pipeline of skilled workforce in the rapidly emerging areas of semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) hardware. Today U.S. produces only 12% of the global supply of semiconductor chips compared to 37% of the global chip supply about 30 years ago. The talent gap in semiconductors is steadily rising, and industry projections suggest that there will be approximately 67,100 unfilled technical jobs in the U.S. chip industry by 2030. This project will help the State of Iowa address the talent gap and contribute to the U.S. semiconductor workforce by adopting a transformative approach to workforce training with strong cross-sector partnerships. The project goal is to identify talented students interested in semiconductors and to create impactful career pathways for them culminating in academic success, micro internships, and potential employment. By adopting the best practices in experiential learning and aligning with industry needs, the project will create immersive learning experiences that blend the foundational concepts in semiconductors with advanced topics on AI hardware. An expected outcome is a sustainable talent pipeline of student scholars who become critical thinkers and leaders with strong collaborative and communication skills, along with successful experiential learning models for other institutions at the regional and national levels. In this project, Iowa State University will partner with community colleges and youth organizations (4-H, Big Brothers and Big Sisters) to recruit participants. Individuals from U.S. semiconductor companies will lead activities, including seminars, fireside chats, field trips, and career guidance for participants. Each participant cohort will be engaged in a 12-month experiential learning program which includes two foundational courses, laboratory projects, summer workshops, mentorship, research exposure, and industry traineeship. PowerFilm Inc. will provide hands-on training in semiconductor manufacturing to participants for two weeks every summer. The participants will work in groups to repeat and reinforce the concepts in semiconductor design, fabrication, and testing while learning about emerging technologies, laboratory safety, intellectual property, and Good Job Principles. Leadership-building experiences will be provided through peer mentorship, social clubs, learning communities, professional society membership, and student support systems. External evaluation will be conducted by the Research Institute for Studies in Education to identify potential barriers and improve upon the interest, engagement, academic success, and employability of participants. The project will continue to strengthen cross-sector partnerships while scaling and sustaining the experiential learning activities. The ExLENT Program, supported by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals to increase their interest in and access to career pathways in emerging technology fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.