Third Class of UNCF STEM Scholars Through $48M Investment From Fund II Foundation Announced

 Five-year commitment will invest in and empower the next generation of African American STEM innovators and tech entrepreneurs

UNCF announced its third cohort of Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars (STEM Scholars). The 100 high-performing African American high school seniors, selected from across the nation, will each receive a total award package of up to $25,000 that includes scholarships and a stipend for STEM internships over five years. This award is made possible through grant support from Fund II Foundation that totals approximately $48 million. The program will also provide critical wrap-around support to students throughout their undergraduate experience. The award will enable the students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at the college or university of their choosing while learning about innovation and startup tech entrepreneurship.

This year’s cohort represents 26 states. The scholars will attend 53 different elite colleges and universities, including nine scholars who will attend five Ivy League institutions. Thirty-six scholars will attend 12 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), compared with 18 Cohort Two STEM scholars attending 10 HBCUs. Of those, seven are UNCF-supported HBCUs: Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Fisk University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Oakwood University and Xavier University of Louisiana. >> Read more