NSF invests more than $30M to enable experiential learning in key technologies

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Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) invests across three tracks, including the new Explorations track, to expand practical STEM learning opportunities and grow U.S. jobs.

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced the latest Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) investment of over $30 million, including the inaugural awards in a track designed to provide opportunities to workers with no prior STEM experience, to nearly 40 awardees at U.S. institutions of higher education and nonprofits. Each awardee will receive up to $1 million for up to three years. 

"NSF is committed to creating new career pathways for all Americans from the full range of professional and educational backgrounds interested in working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). "ExLENT helps ensure that all workers have access to essential opportunities to gain on-the-job training in good-quality, well-paying jobs, helping ensure upward socioeconomic mobility and position the U.S. in the vanguard of competitiveness for decades to come."

The NSF ExLENT program offers pathways for people at varying levels of experience in STEM fields. Of the awardees receiving ExLENT funding this round, 15 received funding in the new Explorations track, which provides workers with no prior STEM experience an experiential learning opportunity that builds knowledge in a key technology area and inspires them to further explore different pathways to potential STEM careers. An additional seven awardees received funding in the Pivots track, which provides current professionals in any field experiential learning opportunities that build the skills and competencies they need to pivot in key and emerging technological careers. Further, NSF funded 17 awards in the Beginnings track, investing in awardees to create programs to help those workers who have some experience in STEM fields receive additional experiential learning opportunities to deepen their knowledge and skills in key technologies. 

Using a cohort model to emphasize the importance of mentorship to achieve the program's goals, ExLENT awardees will build partnerships between organizations in key technologies and those with expertise in workforce development. In September 2023, NSF announced ExLENT program awards to 27 awardees in the Pivots and Beginnings tracks.

"I am thrilled that ExLENT continues to reach different people, institutions, and geographical regions across the country. Building on the 27 institutions from last fall, this year's competition allows TIP and EDU to add another set of awardees to the program's cohort," said James L. Moore III, NSF assistant director for STEM Education (EDU). "And with the Explorations track, ExLENT is poised to open new doors for those individuals with no prior STEM experience, which is key to creating more STEM opportunities everywhere and engaging more individuals and geographical regions throughout the nation's growing STEM enterprise." 

Underscoring NSF's commitment to developing a robust workforce in emerging and key technology areas, NSF recently partnered with Micron and GlobalFoundries to invest in semiconductor workforce development at minority-serving institutions. Micron, for example, partnered on the current ExLENT competition.

Launched by NSF's TIP and EDU directorates, ExLENT aims to expand practical learning opportunities for individuals interested in entering or gaining more experience in key technologies as outlined in the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022." To learn more about the program, visit the ExLENT webpage. 
 

ExLENT awardees

(Awardees are grouped by track, then listed in alphabetical order by organization. The full award list can be found on NSF's website.)

Explorations track: 

  • Boise State University
  • Cleveland State Community College
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Florida Institute of Technology
  • HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
  • Institute for Future Intelligence Inc
  • Kapiʻolani Community College (University of Hawaii system)
  • MyVillage Project Inc
  • Northern Virginia Community College
  • State University of New York at Buffalo
  • Syracuse University
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • The University of Toledo
  • University of Virginia

Pivots track:

  • Colorado School of Mines
  • Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
  • Georgia Piedmont Technical College
  • New York University
  • Purdue University
  • Roane State Community College
  • The University of Alabama

Beginnings track:

  • Alabama A&M University
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Grand Rapids Community College
  • INA Solutions Inc
  • The Ohio State University
  • Portland State University
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Student Research and Development
  • Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • University of Cincinnati
  • University of Florida
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  • University of South Alabama
  • University of Utah
  • Utah State University
  • Wake Technical Community College
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