Groups that have been historically underrepresented in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math have been provided $40 million through the U.S. Department of Energy for research opportunities.
The funding will also help “diversify American leadership in the physical and climate sciences through internships, training programs and mentor opportunities,” according to a May 25 Department of Energy news release.
“Leveraging the full potential of American expertise to tackle our biggest challenges will require a diverse, equitable and broad research community that includes the brilliant voices and minds of historically unrepresented groups,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in the release. “This investment will provide hands-on experience to our nation’s future scientists to unlock the climate solutions that hold the key to a safer and cleaner future for all Americans.”
Historically black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions and other institutions are among beneficiaries of the Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce Initiative, the release said.
Funding opportunity announcement topics include advanced scientific computing research, biological and environmental research, basic energy sciences, high energy physics, fusion energy sciences and the isotope R&D and production, the release said. Application eligibility varies depending on the funding opportunity announcement.
