Intel Invests in N.C. A&T to Support More Students in STEM Pathways; Six HBCUs Will Share $4.5 Million in Grant Funding

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Thanks to more than $1 million in grant funding from Intel, a group of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University undergraduate and graduate students will receive two-year scholarships to continue their education in computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering.

On June 27, Intel unveiled a three-year, $4.5 million HBCU grant program to encourage students at six historically black colleges and universities – Florida A&M University, Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M University and Tuskegee University – to remain in STEM pathways.

That scholarship support will have substantial impact at A&T, which produces more African American engineers than any university in America at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. In addition to scholarships, the grant will fund student programs and labs, workshops and research experiences.

“Intel has provided an outstanding opportunity for our students,” Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. said. “Investments like these enable N.C. A&T to continue the work of preparing our students to meet the global demand for highly qualified STEM leaders.”

In addition to the funding for A&T, Intel’s grant will provide $600,000 for workshops and activities to better prepare HBCU students to enter the competitive, high-tech workforce. The remaining $2.9 million will be divided among the five additional universities.

“It is an honor to collaborate with our friends at Intel to enhance the competitiveness of our computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering programs,” said A&T College of Engineering Dean Robin Coger. “We look forward to what this support will make possible for our students.”

In January 2015, Intel set a goal of achieving full representation of women and underrepresented minorities in the U.S. workforce by 2020. The Fortune 100 Company committed $300 million to support that goal and the Diversity in Technology initiative to improve diversity and inclusion across the tech industry.

This grant funding is the latest piece of the partnership between Intel and N.C. A&T that began more than 16 months ago. Intel hosted a reception for College of Engineering graduating seniors in the spring, provided representatives to serve as judges for the sixth annual senior design expo and spent time discussing career paths and prospects with the company.

The first cohort of Intel Innovation Scholars will be announced at the start of the 2017-18 academic year.