Fort Valley State University (FVSU) has been awarded a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support underrepresented students in pursuing STEM-related degrees and careers.

According to WGXA News, the grant is meant to improve FVSU’s efforts to reach out to underrepresented students, including minorities and veterans.

Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. announced the news of the STEM grant on Wednesday. “I am glad to announce that the National Science Foundation is making this investment in Fort Valley State University so that it can recruit more students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM, fields,” he said.

“In the past two years, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS & Science Act bringing a resurgence of manufacturing jobs in America, including in Middle and Southwest Georgia. Drawing from the full range of our community’s youth, colleges and universities will ensure that Georgia has the skilled workers needed for these jobs and our economy,” Congressman Bishop remarked.

Thanks to the grant, students will benefit from a slew of STEM curricula, including workshops, research experience, and scientific exchange opportunities with other STEM students and scientists at research conferences. The students will also receive career guidance to help prepare them for the STEM job market and graduate school.

The grant is also intended to help transfer students interested in STEM degrees from nearby two-year colleges to FVSU, according to WGXA News.