This project is providing scholarships each year for 13 high-achieving, financially needy computer science or mathematics undergraduate students and 10 graduate students selected from masters and doctoral programs in mathematics or from the doctoral programs in computer, information science, and engineering.
Intellectual Merit: The scholarships target a period of high attrition for undergraduate students (transition to the third year of study to completion of degree) and for graduate students (preparation for qualifying exams and beginning of research). This project expands the scope of a previous CSEMS award to emphasize quality and research. The overall goals of the program are to improve recruitment, retention, and preparation for employment or graduate school. A formal system of cohorts and mentoring of scholarship recipients by fellow students and faculty provide support to help students succeed. Rigorous interdisciplinary training is being imparted to scholarship recipients.
Broader Impact: The entry of Puerto Rican students into the pipeline for scientific careers for two disciplines in high demand helps to meet the ever-expanding need for these professionals and their associated diversity of viewpoints in various sectors nationally and locally.
