Equity in Action: STEM PUSH Network's Impact & STEM NOLA's Presidential Recognition
STEM Ecosystems Friday Updates 1/17/2025
STEM PUSH | Centering Equity in Improvement Science & Research
Shortly after the presidential election, Tricia Rose, Chancellor’s Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University and the director of the Systemic Racism Project at the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America, shared insights from her book?Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives and How We Can Break Free. This newsletter covers the Network’s discussion with Rose that was part of our book study, an important tool for STEM PUSH’s equity and justice-centered work. This winter issue will cover the discussion in depth, as well as provide some background on STEM PUSH’s work and the challenges we are working to address.
STEM Spotlight: STEM NOLA
STEM NOLA Receives Presidential Honor for Pioneering Inclusive STEM Education
STEM NOLA , a New Orleans-based non-profit, has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) by President Joe Biden. This recognition highlights STEM NOLA's outstanding efforts in breaking down racial, ethnic, and gender barriers in STEM education for K-12 students. The award underscores STEM NOLA's position as a national leader in promoting inclusive STEM education and mentoring excellence.
News & Opportunities
Empowering Women in STEM Entrepreneurship | The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
The National Academies hosted a workshop on January 10, 2025, focusing on strategies to empower women in STEM entrepreneurship. The event brought together experts to discuss challenges and opportunities for women in STEM-related business ventures. Recommendations from the workshop aim to promote gender equity and increase women's participation in STEM entrepreneurship.
National Survey of College Graduates: 2023 | National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)
The?National Survey of College Graduates?(NSCG) is a unique source for examining the relationship of degree field and occupation in addition to other characteristics of college-educated individuals, including work activities, salary, and demographic information. This survey is conducted by the Census Bureau in partnership with NCSES. Check out the data tables.
CHIPS News & Releases | National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
This webpage provides the latest updates on the CHIPS for America initiative. It offers authoritative information on semiconductor research, manufacturing, and workforce development from a government source. STEM Ecosystem leaders can use this resource to stay informed about national efforts in the semiconductor industry.
National Career Clusters? Framework | Advance CTE
Advance CTE released a modernized Career Clusters Framework in fall 2024, serving as a bridge between education and work. The framework consists of 14 Clusters, 72 Sub-Clusters, five Cluster Groupings, three Cross-Cutting Clusters, and twelve Career-Ready Practices. This comprehensive structure aims to design consistent, high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) and career pathway programs across the United States.
Jobs for the Future (JFF) Ambassadors | 2025 Horizons: Dare To Be Brave
The Horizons summit features Ambassadors - emerging talents aged 16-26 from diverse backgrounds across the country. These young leaders bring varied life and work experiences to contribute meaningfully to the Horizons conversations. Passionate and diverse in race, gender, and educational attainment, Ambassadors play a crucial role in enhancing the Horizons experience. Applications open January 8, 2025, and close February 7, 2025, at 11:59?p.m. ET.??
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan Honored With 2025 General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award
Dr. Kathryn Sullivan has been selected as the 2025 recipient of Space Foundation 's highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Sullivan's distinguished lifetime contributions to space exploration and her pioneering achievements as the first American woman to walk in space and the first person to both orbit Earth and reach its deepest point. The award will be presented at the opening ceremonies of the 40th annual Space Symposium in April 2025. Read more.
Advocacy & Funding Highlights
Additional $210 Million Tech Hub Grants | U.S. Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced plans to award approximately $210 million in implementation grants to six Tech Hub Designees.?This funding builds on the July 2024 announcement of $504 million for 12 Tech Hubs, bringing the total to over $700 million for 18 centers of excellence. The six new Tech Hubs, selected from the 31 designated in October 2023, will focus on critical technologies and industries of the future. Learn more.
BPC Launches Coalition for Advancing Workforce Equity | Bipartisan Policy Center
The Bipartisan Policy Center announced the formation of the Coalition for Advancing Workforce Equity (CAW). This initiative aims to address workforce challenges and promote equity in employment opportunities across the United States. The coalition brings together diverse stakeholders to develop policy solutions that enhance workforce development and economic mobility for all Americans.
GRANT: Next Level Now Technical Assistance Collaborative?| U.S. Department of Labor , Employment and Training Administration
The Next Level Now (NLN) Technical Assistance Collaborative will provide strategic technical assistance to help public workforce system entities improve service quality and outcomes for job seekers and employers. The TA Collaborative will operate over a 4-year period to support modernization of the workforce system.
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Eligibility: non-profit organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations, state governments, and for-profit technical assistance providers with expertise in workforce development.
Awards: One or more cooperative agreements totaling approximately $1.5 million for the first year, with anticipated annual increments of $1 million in subsequent years for a total of $4.5 million over 4 years.
Deadline to apply: February 4, 2025 by 11:59 pm EST
FUNDING: Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI
This global open call is looking for nonprofits, civic entities, academic institutions, and social enterprises to apply to participate in the Generative AI Accelerator. Selected organizations will receive a share of $30M alongside 6 months of structured support with access to dedicated pro bono assistance from Google employees, technical training, and Google Cloud credits to build socially impactful gen AI-powered solutions across Google.org’s three focus areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Learning; Scientific Advancement; and Resilient Communities.
Eligibility: any nonprofit charity, other nonprofit organization, public or private academic or research institution, civic entity, or for-profit social enterprise company with a project that has a clear and explicit social impact purpose.
Awards: $30 million
Deadline to apply: February 11 at 3:00 pm?EST Link to Application
GRANT: Springboard Prize for Child Welfare
The Springboard Prize for Child Welfare invests in new, exciting ideas focused on preventing child neglect and abuse, lifting up children and families within the child welfare system, and assuring their well-being beyond. The Aviv Foundation is sponsoring the Springboard Prize for the second time as part of its goal to invest in solutions with the potential to create systemic change.
Eligibility: individuals, nonprofits, government agencies, and mission-driven for-profit entities. The Prize rewards transformational ideas originating from any sector.
Awards: In 2025, four awards of $400,000
Deadline to apply: February 17 at 11:59 pm?EST
GRANT: EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (E-RISE) | National Science Foundation (NSF)
The E-RISE program supports hypothesis-driven or problem-driven research and fosters the development of research teams and products in a scientific topical area that aligns with a jurisdiction's research ecosystem and priorities. It aims to transform STEM research capacity and competitiveness in eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions by developing sustainable broad networks and exploring emerging or interdisciplinary research areas with high potential impact.
Eligibility: Organizations within EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions, including institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and Tribal Governments. Multi-institutional collaborations are required. Organizations serving as lead on current E-RISE or RII Track-1 awards are not eligible to apply as lead, with some exceptions.
Awards: Up to 15 awards annually. $8 million total for initial 4-year period, with potential for $4.5 million renewal for 3 additional years.
Deadline to apply: August 12, 2025 by 5 p.m. local time
Upcoming Events
Exploring the Power of AI in Invention and STEM Education | InventEd
Jeff Remington, STEM Outreach Liaison at Penn State University and nationally recognized STEM teacher, trainer and consultant will share his insights on the growth of AI in the classroom and its intersection with invention and STEM learning. Date: January 21, 2025, 7:00 PM ET?Register Here
The Importance of Participating in Education Research | EIR
This webinar will explore ways in which EIR grantees have balanced the requirement for generating knowledge through use of a rigorous evaluation design with addressing the reticence and questions that are most pressing to schools. Date: January 23, 2025, 2:00pm–3:00pm ET?Register Here
Leveraging Learner Voice: Learner-Led Research to Improve Career Technical Education | Advance CTE
A webinar showcasing strategies for incorporating student perspectives in CTE program design and improvement through learner-led research initiatives. Date: January 23, 2025, 3:00 PM ET?Register Here
Creating a Culture of Trust with AI | Indigitize
Hosted by Indigitize and facilitated by STEM Ecosystem leader Lisa Blank! Designed to help educators explore the transformative potential of AI while fostering a culture of trust and responsibility. Date: February 5, 2025, 7:00 pm EST?Register Here
Whether you're an educator inspiring young minds, a policymaker shaping the landscape of STEM education, or an industry partner bridging classroom learning with real-world applications, your role in our Ecosystems is vital. Together, we're not just adapting to the future—we're actively creating it. Stay connected at www.stemecosystems.org