$500K HBCU grant for STEM education headed to Drake State

Drake State Community & Technical College will broaden its STEM education program thanks to a $500,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for a project named the “Semiconductor Exposure, Exploration, and Development (SEED): Collaborative to Broaden Participation in STEM Education.”

The grant award period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029.

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Drake State among 3 Alabama HBCU community colleges receiving NSF grant

This grant highlights a collaboration among three of Alabama’s Historically Black Community Colleges—Trenholm State Community College and Lawson State Community College—as they work together to expand access to STEM education and prepare students for emerging opportunities in the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors.

“This award reflects a shared commitment among our institutions to broaden participation in STEM education and create transformative opportunities for students. Through collaboration, innovation and a focus on student success, we are positioning our students to thrive in the high-demand careers that will shape the future economy.”

_{Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community & Technical College}

Drake State officials said this NSF grant “reinforces the importance of realigning and elevating applied science pathways to meet the nation’s growing advanced manufacturing needs.”

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