The STEM Opportunity Fund was created with a focus on advancing equity and representation in STEM fields. It aims to help students who are underrepresented in their STEM fields connect to organizations and resources beyond campus to support their academic careers and provide mentorship and community. Students can apply for financial support through Gold for Blugolds. What are some examples of how students can use this fund?
- Apply for membership in professional organizations with support for undergraduates, whether it is a national organization (such as the American Mathematical Society or the American Chemical Society) or one for your identity (including the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, (NOBCChe), the Society of Women Engineers, (SWE), and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science, (SACNAS))
- The sky is the limit! These are just examples and we look forward to hearing what membership would benefit you.
- Attendance at conferences, either virtual or in-person (such as the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, (CUWIP), the NOBCChe Conference, or the Mathematical Association of America MathFest)
- Other opportunities involving professional development in STEM fields - you can be creative!
Students who are awarded the funds are expected to reflect on and share their experiences.
To apply, students can check out the Gold for Blugolds site and search for the STEM Opportunity Fund in the list of applications. You will need to log in to complete the application. You can expect to fill out background information, details about what opportunity you are interested in and estimated expenses, and short answers about:
- Why are you applying for this opportunity and how will this benefit your professional development?
- How does this professional development opportunity or membership aid in your career development as it relates to your identity?
- Do you have ideas of how you might share this with the campus community? (Examples: share what you learned with a student organization, write a short reflection, give a talk at a department seminar or in a course, etc.)
- Do you have a faculty or staff member in mind to work with or do you need help in finding a mentor/liaison?
You can find the template needed for itemized expense estimates here.
Broc Kelley is taking a nontraditional path to medical school. Ten years ago, he dropped out of college and was homeless for a time. This spring he will graduate from UW-Eau Claire and then begin medical school in the fall. (Photo by Shane Opatz)
We are proud to share that our first awardee, Broc Kelley, who received support to apply to medical school, has been accepted to attend the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health! He shares his story here. Congratulations Broc!
