North Carolina State University Gets $1 Million From National Science Foundation

March 4, 2009, Triangle Business Journal — North Carolina State University has received a two-year grant worth nearly $1 million to start a program that encourages minority students to attend graduate school in advanced fields.

The $987,000 award from the National Science Foundation will help establish an effort known as the Bridge to the Doctorate Program. It will provide grad-school fellowships to students planning to pursue a Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

NCSU says the money will fund fellowships for 12 students for two years. Students will get a $30,000 annual stipend, payment of their tuition and fees, medical insurance and travel funds.

Minorities eligible for the program include African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.

“This grant helps us attract top graduate students and boosts the presence of underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines,” Tony Mitchell, an NCSU assistant dean and the program’s director, said in a written statement.