In 2022, the North Dakota State University department of biological sciences received a $1.4 million award from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program to help fund scholarships for students with unmet financial need and provide academic and career support for students pursuing STEM degrees.

The NSF has several funding opportunities available for researchers at NDSU like the S-STEM grant received by the biological sciences department. The NDSU Research and Creative Activity Office helps facilitate NSF awards, which includes helping with pre-award info, conducting training or working with interested researchers to help them submit a proposal. A top priority for campus this year has been to boost NSF competitiveness for NDSU research proposals.

“NSF funding has long been one of our top federal funders to help in furthering research at NDSU,” said NDSU vice president of research Colleen Fitzgerald. “The S-STEM award not only helps the students with financial needs but also provides a firm foundation for these individuals to conduct research at NDSU. Utilizing these funding opportunities is a win for research at NDSU.”

Angela Hodgson, NDSU professor of practice in biological sciences, served as the principal investigator (PI) for the grant. Co-PIs include NDSU associate professor and chair of biological sciences Julia Bowsher and NDSU professors of biological sciences Jennifer Momsen and Kendra Greenlee.

“We want to promote the cohort experience and a sense of belonging within the program,” Hodgson said.

Over a span of six years, there will be scholarships for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology at NDSU as part of the NSF grant. Through just two years, $255,000 has been awarded in scholarships and Hodgson estimates between 30-32 students will be part of the program once the six-year grant cycle is completed.

The group of students funded by the scholarship is called Herd S-Stem Scholars, and five of those students -- Abrielle Mann, Gwen Sailer, Lolana Bath-Thurstin, Marissa Tiegen and Lauren Gunderson -- attended the 2024 NSF and American Association for the Advancement of Science S-STEM Scholars and PI Meeting in Chicago on Nov. 8-10. The event provided students a chance to experience attending a national meeting while also providing educational and career development sessions.

“Attending the STEM conference in Chicago was an eye-opening experience,” Tiegen said. “It allowed me to network with professionals and peers who share similar goals, gain insights into cutting-edge research, and learn about career paths I hadn’t known before.”

Tiegen said being part of the S-STEM Herd Scholars program is helping lay the foundation for a career in biological research.

“Being part of the NDSU S-STEM Herd Scholars program has been incredibly impactful in my academic journey,” Tiegen said.  “It has provided me with financial support, mentorship, and a sense of community that motivates me to excel. The program has not only helped me focus on my studies without the stress of financial burdens but has also introduced me to resources and opportunities that have prepared me for graduate school and a career in biological research.”

Bath-Thurstin agreed about the impact the S-STEM is having on her degree pursuit at NDSU.

“Attending this conference provided me with an invaluable opportunity to connect with fellow students and professionals in the STEM field from across the country,” Bath-Thurstin said “I had the chance to engage with representatives from several medical schools, gaining insights into their programs, as well as exploring additional exciting opportunities.

“Being a part of the NDSU S-STEM community has significantly enhanced my understanding of both undergraduate and post-graduate academic opportunities,” she added. “It has provided me with valuable insights into the various medical schools available, the application process, and an effective timeline for completing all necessary steps in a timely and organized manner. As a result, I now feel well-equipped and confident in navigating the next stages of my educational journey.”

Hodgson said the project represents a significant effort to address the national need for a well-educated STEM workforce, focusing specifically on supporting high-achieving, low-income students at North Dakota State University. The program at NDSU also provides academic support and career development for the students. Another goal is to focus on broadening participation among rural students in STEM fields.

“One of our goals with the S-STEM program is to reduce the financial stress of pursuing a STEM degree for academically-talented students with unmet need, so that they have the time to not only focus on doing well in their challenging STEM courses, but also have the ability to engage in extracurricular activities such as undergraduate research, volunteer opportunities and internships that are needed to be a competitive applicant for STEM jobs or graduate school programs,” Hodgson said. “In addition, the S-STEM grant gives us resources to provide mentorship to help these students to demystify science education and ensure that they feel like they belong in a STEM career.”

That assistance helps students search for and find research opportunities, what education is required for a job with a public agency vs. the private sector and how to prep and apply for grad school, Hodgson said.

“The work being done by this team shows the value proposition of NDSU STEM research and education in enhancing workforce in North Dakota," said NDSU Vice President of Research Colleen Fitzgerald. "We are especially focused on NSF this year because of the specific targets in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 for states like ours. More proposals -- more competitive proposals going in this year will enable our federal portfolio to potentially grow even more.”

A focus on STEM research is part of the NSF’s EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program, which aims to enhance research capabilities of states and jurisdictions that have received lower federal research funding previously. EPSCoR envisions its participating regions as contributors to both the national and global STEM research enterprise. The program focuses on building infrastructure, fostering collaborations, and developing human capital to elevate these jurisdictions' research standing and help integrate them into larger scientific and technological conversations worldwide while also improving their local and regional economies.

In addition, the CHIPS and Science Act was enacted by Congress in 2022 which authorized nearly $280 billion in funding for research of semiconductors, chip manufacturing and investing in the overall ecosystem of public sector research. EPSCoR language in the CHIPS and Science Act pushed to increase support to EPSCoR states like North Dakota through two areas – one for research infrastructure and a second for grad students and post-doctorate scholars that support the research enterprise.

North Dakota was in the bottom eight of the 28 EPSCoR jurisdictions in NSF EPSCoR spending for FY2023. Proposal submission rates have decreased. There is a congressional mandate to invest in several states, including North Dakota. The mandate is going to increase every year until 2029.

“Partnering with Rural and Low-income Students for Academic Success in the Biological Sciences” (award abstract # 2221637) is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). More information is available at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2221637