The program has awarded more than $350,000 to various nonprofit organizations operating at the intersection of DEI and STEM
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – May 7, 2024 – The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, stewards of Research Triangle Park (RTP), today announced the call for applications for the 2024-2025 STEM RTP grantmaking program is open now through June 7. Now in its fourth year, the program funds a carefully selected portfolio of nonprofit organizations making an impact in the Triangle region and throughout the state of North Carolina.
In collaboration with the RTP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collective and Research Triangle Park Charitable Fund, the STEM RTP program awards monetary grants to small organizations operating at the intersections of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Applicants must support diverse and underserved communities across North Carolina, including low-income families and adults in rural areas seeking sustainable STEM career pathways.
“Four years ago, I could not have imagined the immense impact we are now seeing with our STEM RTP grant awardees,” said RTP DEI Collective Co-founder and Chairwoman Tamara Terry, director of academic research engagement, RTI International. “It’s humbling to witness how this program drives positive change within organizations in the Triangle and across North Carolina. Leading this initiative has been one of the highlights of my career.”
Since 2021, the STEM RTP grant program has provided more than $375,000 in funding to a range of nonprofit organizations. The unique program is designed to help smaller nonprofit organizations increase their impact while supporting the Foundation’s mission by building a more diverse talent pipeline and strengthening economic opportunities for residents across the state.
This year, a total allocation of $100,000 will be awarded to five recipients, each receiving $20,000. The application period is open from May 7 through June 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. To qualify, organizations must have budgets under $5 million and demonstrate successful results in their programming with the potential for scaling up.
To learn more about the STEM RTP grant program requirements and apply online, visit https://www.rtp.org/stem-rtp-grant.
About the Research Triangle Park Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collective
Founded in the fall of 2019, the RTP DEI Collective was created to unify and amplify Research Triangle Park (RTP) companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Led by Madame Chair Tamara Terry and Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina staff members, the Collective includes over 40 companies and 21 regional allies committed to DEI. As Research Triangle Park and the Triangle Region continue to grow, RTP leaders recognize the importance of amplifying DEI values to create a window of opportunities that better serve skilled talent Park communities are hiring, helpful fuel workforce recruitment and retention.
Next-generation leaders seek to represent and value a diverse and equal workforce. The Collective is focused on helping create equitable and inclusive spaces for tomorrow’s leaders to thrive. As we break down silos across RTP companies to collaborate and synergize efforts, we all benefit from the resulting advancement in talent attractions, contributing to better business outcomes for all.
About the RTP Charitable Fund
RTP Charitable Fund was organized September 17, 2015, as a non-profit organization to build and enhance the diverse geographic and demographic all-inclusive community of Research Triangle Park by providing its public participation in programs designed to provide societal and environmentally sound activities in the arts, education, recreation, celebration and locally based human and social services.
About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF) has served Research Triangle Park in its mission to facilitate collaboration among our region’s industries, universities, and workforce, and create economic impact for the residents of North Carolina by attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent. Comprised of 7,000 acres, its boundaries are centrally located among Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. RTP is home to 55,000 employees and nearly 400 companies and national labs, including Apple, BASF, Biogen, Cisco Systems, EPA, Fidelity Investments, IBM, LabCorp, Lenovo, Lilly, NetApp, NIEHS, RTI International and United Therapeutics. For more information, visit https://rtp.org.
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