STEM Scholars Program hero banner
STEM Scholars Program hero banner
STEM Scholars Program hero banner
STEM Scholars Program hero banner

About the Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program

The Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program will identify 500 African American high school students who are determined to pursue careers in STEM fields. These students will receive scholarships, internships, mentoring and other tools to help them reach their goals. The Fund II Foundation is contributing $48 million for the STEM Scholars Program.

"...mastering the skill of access isn’t that hard when you have a team of people willing to help you."

—Sara Howell, UNCF STEM Scholar
Stem Scholar Gygeria Manuel

“Being a Fund II UNCF STEM Scholar means that you are part of a community, a conversation, and a change agent in a field that can be challenging to integrate. "

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Headshot of Kaeleigh Wingate

“To be a Fund II UNCF STEM Scholar means to be supported by a wonderful group of individuals who only want to see you succeed and know that you can and will make a difference in this world."

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Headshot of Kendra Carroll

“Being a Fund II UNCF STEM Scholar means progress."

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Headshot of Matthew Lee

“Being a Fund II UNCF STEM Scholar is something very few students can say, so it’s definitely an honor to be part of this select group of students who will be leaving an impact on the world in the years to come."

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Headshot of Sage Williams

“Being a Fund II UNCF STEM Scholar means loving your community so much that your burning desire is to assist and uplift them enthralling you to be on the cutting edge of innovation whether through technology or ideology."

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Headshot of Ugoji Nwanaji Enwerem

“To be a Fund II UNCF STEM Scholar is an honor that solidifies the importance of aspiring beyond boundaries and persevering to achieve my goals that will ultimately leave a positive mark in the STEM community and on the world. "

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Best. Weekend. Ever.

A quick look at #Fund2UNCFSTEMScholar orientation weekend

STEM Scholars Program: Impact

What did the program do for students?

The inaugural class of STEM Scholars met for a leadership summit July 29-31, 2016, in Atlanta, where they met one another, mapped out academic and career goals, and heard from African American experts within the STEM fields, including Dr. Ebony McGee, assistant professor of diversity and urban schooling at Vanderbilt University, and Dr. Karl Pendergrass, a UNCF/Merck postdoctoral fellow who is director of medical affairs for the cardiovascular and metabolic disease team at Merck. Fund II Foundation Executive Director Linda Wilson also welcomed the scholars at the summit. Students tapped into their entrepreneurship brainpower and participated in an ideation challenge focused on building an app from scratch.

  • This year’s cohort represents 29 states, with Georgia, Maryland and Texas having the highest number of scholars per state with 14, 10 and eight respectively.
  • The scholars attend 71 different elite colleges and universities.
  • Seven historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Of those, five are UNCF-member HBCUs: Morehouse College, Spelman College, Tuskegee University, Wilberforce University and Xavier University of Louisiana.
  • Thirteen scholars will attend seven of the nation’s eight Ivy League institutions.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the UNCF Fund II STEM Scholars Team. Ask questions, and learn how you can become a part of the program.

Contact Us