350 HBCU students will receive scholarships to pursue STEM studies
Several chemical industries and affiliate organizations have raised millions of dollars for students pursuing STEM degrees at historically black colleges and universities.
One of them, the Future of STEM Scholars initiative, has raised more than $17 million to fund $40,000 scholarships for more than 350 students attending HBCUs.
“With an ambitious goal of funding 1,000 HBCU students, FOSSI aims to have a meaningful and significant impact on the future workforce,” said Mark Vergnano, former CEO of The Chemours Company and current President of FOSSI. “These talented fellows bring fresh and diverse perspectives to help innovate the solutions that will address global challenges such as clean energy and climate change.”
FOSSI was founded in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, The Chemours Company and the HBCU Week Foundation.
The national program supports students from underrepresented communities pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. According to the organization’s website, “FOSSI provides scholars with $10,000 per year for four years, helping to remove financial barriers for historically underrepresented groups.”
In addition to financial aid, fellows receive leadership training, mentorship and internship opportunities through supporting organizations, as well as access to 60 corporate sponsors for practical advice on the STEM-related industries in which they seek to enter.
“FOSSI not only helps me, but also HBCU students across the country to pursue their goals,” said Jadyn Fleming, a 2021 FOSSI scholarship recipient who attends Spelman College. “By alleviating some of the financial burdens I face, FOSSI has invested in the future of STEM.”
“It made a big difference, knowing that I could count on this funding,” Carlton Carter, a sophomore at Southern University and A&M College, said of the initiative. “In addition, the mentorship program was very useful. It gave me insight into how business works and what I can expect once I finish school.
FOSSI provided 151 scholarships to HBCU students in its first year, and an additional 144 scholarships will be funded this fall. The program aims to award 1,000 scholarships through 2025.
The FOSSI 2023 application period will open on Friday, September 23. To learn more, visit FutureOfSTEMScholars.org.
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