New NSF INCLUDES Alliance Award Announced

The National Science Foundation has awarded an additional nearly $10 million to build on the collaborative efforts of an existing partnership as part of an NSF-wide effort to address diversity, inclusion and participation challenges in STEM at a national scale.

The NSF award, titled, NSF INCLUDES Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education and STEM (CIRCLES) Alliance, will enhance preparation, increase participation and ensure the inclusion of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.

Dr. Ben Sayler, from Black Hills State University, is leading South Dakota EPSCoR’s collaboration with Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, and New Mexico in this project to increase the representation of American Indian and Alaska Native students in STEM disciplines and the workforce through STEM activities, mentoring, investments, pathways and instruction focused at the K-12 educational level.

“NSF INCLUDES develops networks that are the key to building and sustaining the kind of systemic change that is needed to move the needle on inclusivity in STEM in a substantial way,” said Sylvia M. Butterfield, acting assistant director of NSF’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources. “The latest NSF INCLUDES Alliances will create opportunities for a new generation of STEM talent and leadership.”

Through the CIRCLES Alliance, researchers at the University of Idaho, Central Wyoming College, the University of New Mexico, Black Hills State University, North Dakota State University and the University of Montana will build on strong, existing partnerships with tribal communities and colleges to study promising practices and areas of greatest need in STEM education for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. The CIRCLES Alliance states are home to 19 tribal colleges/universities (TCUs) and span 49 tribes/nations.

NSF has a long-standing commitment to developing a diverse, highly skilled American workforce. The NSF INCLUDES awards support education for pre-college students to post-doctoral fellows from historically marginalized and underserved communities and create opportunities that are accessible and inclusive.