Washington, May 21 - Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) announced today that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will award the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) a $295,151 continuing grant for earth science research.

EarthScope is an Earth science program to explore the 4-dimensional structure of the North American continent. EarthScope offers a centralized forum for Earth science education at all levels and an excellent opportunity to develop cyber-infrastructure to integrate, distribute, and analyze diverse data sets.

“I am pleased that the National Science Foundation has granted funding for this innovative and useful approach to earth science research,” Congressman Reyes said. "This funding will provide El Paso-area students with greater research opportunities that will enhance their undergraduate and graduate learning experience to help them pursue careers in high-demand fields."   

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science, national health, prosperity, welfare, and secure national defense.

As co-Founder and co-Chairman of the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus, Congressman Reyes works to advance legislation and policies and highlight activities to encourage under-represented minorities to pursue careers in STEM fields. As Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2007 – 2010, Congressman Reyes also emphasized the need to improve diversity among the U.S. intelligence agencies.