As the need to add more STEM-educated (science, technology, engineering, math) Hoosiers to the state’s workforce gains more and more attention, it seems only appropriate that the Big Ten Network would call attention to IU’s Summer Scholars Institute, an initiative founded by former university President Adam Herbert in 2007.

The Institute is an eight-week program — this year May 29 through July 24 — that is part of Indiana University’s STEM initiative, an academic and research partnership with a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBUs).  Those partners include Alabama A&M University, Bennett College for Women, Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Jackson State University, Langston University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, Tennessee State University and Xavier University of Louisiana — as well as IU’s Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.

During those eight weeks, select students from all 14 institutions take part in research projects involving HCBU and IU faculty. Additional activities include colloquia with STEM faculty, professionals and other academics, training in technical writing, preparation for the Graduate Record Examination and social activities. The scholars live in IU dorms and receive a $4,000 stipend, plus room and board.

To learn more about Summer Scholars Institute cohorts in previous years, read here. For a list of IU faculty serving as mentors for the Institute, read here.