EDU Rural DCL: Advancing Capacities of Institutions in EPSCoR Jurisdictions for Enhanced Graduate Fellowship Opportunities Conference

The National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for STEM Education (EDU), Amplifying STEM Education Investments in and with Rural and Remote Areas and Communities (Rural DCL), encourages proposals supporting STEM education, research and workforce development with learners, educators, researchers and local industry in and with rural and remote communities while addressing their needs and leveraging local assets. This award to the QEM Network Southern proposes to build the capacity of institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions to develop compelling NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP) proposals through a combination of convenings and direct coaching. EGFP supports designated institutions/programs in EPSCoR jurisdictions by providing funding for graduate fellowships for eligible applicants. Institutions receive a total of three years of stipend and associated cost-of-education (COE) allowance for each NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellow. The proposed combination of convenings and direct coaching will be designed to: (1) increase awareness and understanding of the EGFP solicitation; (2) strengthen institution engagement by recuring and preparing eligible institutions to develop competitive proposals; and (3) provide direct technical assistance and coaching to support the development and submission of high-quality responsive EGFP proposals. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.