The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM) has announced a five-year, $11 million grant from the Simons Foundation to help 500 researchers from underrepresented minorities complete doctoral degrees in STEM-related fields.

The grant will fund 100 fellows annually, providing support for African-American, Latinx, and Native American researchers whose work is focused on the life sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics. In addition, fellows will have access to internship opportunities with GEM’s industry partners, providing practical and career experience to shorten the time between academia and the workplace.

According to GEM, African Americans represent 9 percent of the STEM workforce, 5 percent below their representation in the general population, and Latinx Americans represent 7 percent of the STEM workforce, less than half their representation in the general population, while Native Americans and Alaska Natives in STEM are only 25 percent of their representation in the general population.

“[The Simons Foundation] understand[s] that there are populations that are underrepresented [in STEM]…and that by welcoming these groups, we are bringing ourselves closer to making significant advances," said GEM chief executive Brennon Marcano.

"This program will enable the training of the next generation of scientific leaders,” said Simons Foundation president David Spergel. “I look forward to seeing the novel scientific insights in the coming years. These students are an important part of the future of U.S. science.”

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