HAMPTON — Hampton University was recently awarded a $3.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation over the next six years.
The grant money is in support of a project entitled “Hampton-Brandeis Partnership for Research and Education in Materials.”
This continuous grant, which is a Partnership for Research and Education in Materials project, begins Sept. 1 and concludes on Aug. 31, 2024, and expected to total $3.6 million with award distributions of $600,000 per year, according to a news release from the university.
“Here at Hampton University, we want to make sure our students receive numerous resources for the expansion of their academic and professional careers,” said Hampton University President William R. Harvey. “This grant will provide students with the opportunity to pursue research careers in scientific and engineering fields, and we are very excited for the future success of these promising students.”
The Hampton-Brandeis Partnership’s overall goal is to serve as a catalyst for the recruitment and retention of talented students pursuing research careers in science and engineering fields.
Students from the Hampton University School of Engineering and Technology and the School of Science, with undergraduate research experiences, will be provided related integrated photonic and optofluids, scholarship opportunites, and summer research experiences at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.
“In alignment with one of our university goals of strengthening the quality of our academic programs with diverse curriculum offerings, the Hampton-Brandeis PREM will develop a Material Science and Engineering minor, which will include courses from chemistry, engineering, and physics,” said Demetrius L. Geddis, Ph.D, assistant dean of the Hampton University School of Engineering and Technology.
According to the university, the PREM aims to expand the number of African-American and women students in materials science and engineering research careers and increase the supply of scientists and engineers contributing to fuel the growth of the American economy by:
- Increasing the number of undergraduate and graduate students participating in materials science research activities;
- Implementing the PREM Path-to-Professorship (PtP) Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program to prepare a new cohort of early career faculty for HBCUs;
- Developing a sustainable outreach program in materials science and engineering for middle and high school students in the Hampton Roads region; and
- Increasing communication of materials science and engineering to audiences across the continuum from peers to general audiences by all Hampton University PREM participants.
