The Cognizant Foundation has announced $6.3 million in grants in support of 13 organizations and institutions working to advance underserved and underrepresented groups in fields such as technology and to equip learners with the tools they need to pursue and secure fulfilling careers.

According to the foundation, only 20 percent of high school graduates report that they feel prepared for college-level STEM courses, and the gap is wider for underserved and underrepresented students. Organizations such as ColorStack, Northeastern University’s Center for Inclusive Computing, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund will use their grants to help level the playing field for underrepresented students and support learners as they move through the completion-to-workforce pipeline. In addition, the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships and the Center for the Future of Arizona will work to ensure that students from all backgrounds receive the support and resources they need to thrive prior to pursuing postsecondary education.

“Through these investments, we are committed to ensuring historically excluded populations thrive in an ever-changing workforce where technology skills are paramount,” said Cognizant Foundation executive director Kristen Titus. “We must continue to act with vigilance and urgency in our work to bring forth equitable access to industry-aligned education and career pathways—and look forward to advancing economic mobility in communities across the U.S.” 

For a complete list of grantees, see Cognizant Foundation website. 

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