El Paso, Jun 15, 2011 - Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) announced today that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will award a $600,000 federal grant to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to increase the number minority students pursuing doctoral degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

The funds will support the University of Texas at El Paso’s S-STEM project that builds a direct link for minority students obtaining their undergraduate degree with their pursuit of a Ph.D in the future.  The project will also prepare students to meet the challenges of completing a doctoral degree in these critical fields and develop the leadership skills necessary to be successful in the STEM workforce nationally and internationally.  

“I am pleased with the National Science Foundation's continued support of UTEP. This grant will encourage more minorities to pursue advanced degrees in the STEM fields,” said Congressman Reyes.  “I congratulate the students and faculty at UTEP for all their hard work.”  

As co-Founder and co-Chairman of the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus, Congressman Reyes has advocated for increased opportunities for under-represented minorities in the STEM fields.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.