Access the 2025 Outcomes and Impact Report: Bridging Potential and Opportunity: The Experiences of NSF S-STEM Scholars.
This study seeks to understand which project components are most effective, how scholars experience them, and what factors support scholar engagement—as well as what areas may benefit from additional attention to further strengthen outcomes. The findings aim to support ongoing improvements and ensure that the program remains responsive to scholars’ evolving needs.
Developed as part of the NSF-funded S-STEM Resource and Evaluation Center (S-STEM REC), this report reflects a collaborative effort led by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in deep partnership with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), which conducted this research and developed the report, along with the Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity (CERSE) at the University of Washington, Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network, and MN Associates (MNA). It provides a comprehensive examination of the experiences and outcomes of S-STEM scholars, faculty, and institutions. Through robust data collection, our research identifies the critical factors that support student success in S-STEM programs as well as the challenges that academically talented scholars from low-income backgrounds commonly face.
