UVI Secures $5.3 Million NSF Grant to Bolster STEM Workforce in the Virgin Islands

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has recently announced a major financial boost for its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. A generous grant of $5.3 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will fund the “Navigating Home” initiative, a key part of NSF’s SEAS Islands Alliance and NSF Securing STEM Islands Pathways awards.

Focused on “Enriching STEM Pathways,” this NSF-sponsored project is dedicated to creating more opportunities in the workforce for recent graduates, particularly those from Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, or other underrepresented groups in the geosciences. The program specifically targets graduates from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, aiming to bolster the local workforce in marine and environmental sciences.

Under the banner of “Comprehensive Training for Future Experts,” Navigating Home provides a range of unique training opportunities. These include short-term (two to five months) and long-term (one to two years) job experiences, specifically designed to prepare graduates with the skills needed for a successful career in the island-based marine and environmental science sectors.

Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes, leading the project from UVI’s Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, highlights the program’s role in “Cultivating Homegrown Talents.” She states, “This initiative not only offers Virgin Islanders the chance to build their careers in STEM fields right here in the U.S. Virgin Islands but also leverages our long-standing partnerships with local organizations like the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. These collaborations often result in permanent job placements, aligning with the program’s ultimate objective.”

For those in the Virgin Islands seeking more information on this career-shaping opportunity, they can reach out to SEAS Islands Alliance Coordinator, Elisabeth Leerdam at elisabeth.leerdam@students.uvi.edu. This program marks a significant stride in enriching the local STEM talent pool, reaffirming UVI’s dedication to promoting educational and career advancements in the Virgin Islands.