The “NSF Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners in Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES): Supporting Emerging Aquatic Scientists Island Alliance” — or “NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Island Alliance” — is a comprehensive national initiative to enhance U.S. leadership in discoveries and innovations by focusing on diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in STEM at scale.

The program, which builds on the success of a two-year pilot program awarded to the University of Guam in 2017, will start this November and continue for a five-year period, providing marine and environmental science opportunities for more than 95 high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and early-career professionals.

“It is very encouraging to see the inclusion of islanders in STEM valued by the National Science Foundation,” said Austin J. Shelton, principal investigator of the grant. “A true diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences is needed to solve the most pressing challenges of today. Islanders have unique perspectives and contributions to make in science. This grant provides a substantial opportunity to increase our region’s STEM capacity.”

Participants will benefit from paid scientific research experiences, faculty and near-peer mentorship, travel to present research at national conferences, family support programs, and professional development. All participants will engage in educational outreach to spread STEM awareness in the community.

A bridge program will be created for students from regional colleges in Micronesia to attend a UOG summer research experience. Undergraduates will also be able to participate in a doctoral bridge program at Pennsylvania State University.

Individuals interested in marine and environmental science from the University of Guam, Guam Community College, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands will be eligible for the program.

The new INCLUDES SEAS Island Alliance is one of three new funded INCLUDES alliances. It is part of a collaborative project with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico aimed at broadening participation of islanders in STEM fields. The total funding for all alliance partners is $10 million over five years.

Background from the National Science Foundation:

NSF INCLUDES Alliances develop partnerships among stakeholders across the public, private, and academic sectors, share promising practices for broadening participation and other useful data, contribute to the knowledge base on broadening participation in STEM through research, and establish a framework for supporting communications and networking among partners.

For decades, NSF and its partners have sought to create opportunities in STEM for all U.S. residents, ensuring that no matter who they are or where they come from, they have access to education and employment. NSF INCLUDES, one of the foundation's Big Ideas for Future Investment, seeks to enhance collaboration among those working to broaden participation in STEM, to strengthen existing relationships, bring in new partners and provide resources and support to enhance their work.