In June 2013, the State of Connecticut continued its tradition of supporting UConn’s success with Next Generation Connecticut, an investment of approximately $1.5 billion. The primary focus is to expand UConn’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs to provide qualified individuals for Connecticut industries. This STEM expansion includes:

• Hiring new STEM faculty;
• Increasing enrollment of STEM-focused students;
• Building STEM facilities to house teaching labs for material science, physics, biology, engineering, cognitive science, genomics, and related disciplines; and
• Creating a STEM Scholars community within UConn's Honors Program.

STEM Scholars

High achieving, first-year students applying to a STEM major have the opportunity to be selected as a STEM Scholar. In addition to receiving a scholarship, UConn STEM Scholars have the freedom to choose a course of study in numerous STEM fields and receive unique resources, benefits, and opportunities to enhance and support their academic pursuits. Benefits include:

• STEM Scholars live with other STEM and Honors Scholars in a tight-knit community within the Honors First-Year Learning Community;
• First-Year Experience seminar taught by Honors faculty members;
• Monthly STEM research seminars that allow students to broaden their knowledge base while sharing their insights;
• Dedicated staff advisors with whom students work closely to identify the right research-based internships, study abroad opportunities, and undergraduate research positions; and
• Options to apply for IDEA or SURF grants, which provide funding for original scientific or creative projects.

Invitations to the STEM Scholars community are competitive. While a strong academic performance is required, particular importance will be placed on experiences outside of the classroom that indicate an interest and commitment to the STEM fields.