Accessing STEM Funding in Idaho's Rural Communities
GrantID: 15
Grant Funding Amount Low: $15,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Amount High: $1,500,000
Summary
Grant Overview
Increasing STEM Program Visibility for Disabled Communities in Idaho
In Idaho, a significant barrier exists for disabled individuals seeking to engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. The state has seen a stark underrepresentation of disabled individuals in STEM fields, highlighted by a 2019 report indicating that individuals with disabilities make up only 9% of the STEM workforce, while paralleling national averages that hover around 15%. This disparity is exacerbated by a lack of awareness about available programs and resources tailored for disabilities, particularly in rural regions where information is not easily disseminated.
Local communities face this barrier in several ways. For instance, in urban areas such as Boise, many disabled students have limited exposure to STEM opportunities due to ineffective outreach from educational institutions. Conversely, rural communities, such as those in the Panhandle and Eastern Idaho, struggle even more due to geographic isolation and minimal access to resources. According to recent surveys, over 54% of disabled Idahoans reported feeling uninformed about educational pathways in STEM, demonstrating a critical need for targeted initiatives.
The proposed funding initiative aims to directly address these visibility barriers by facilitating outreach campaigns and developing digital platforms that highlight existing STEM programs accessible to disabled individuals. By focusing on Idaho’s unique geography and demographics, the program intends to create tailored content that resonates with specific communities. This includes partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and disability advocates to ensure the information reaches those most in need. Success for this initiative will be quantitatively assessed through website analytics and engagement metrics specific to targeted populations.
Beyond simply increasing visibility, the initiative promises to foster an environment where disabled individuals feel empowered to pursue careers in STEM. The funding will support workshops and informational sessions aimed at equipping disabled students and their families with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate educational opportunities. This holistic approach is particularly vital in a state where educational resources can be sparse and hard to access.
By effectively connecting disabled individuals to STEM opportunities, Idaho can work towards a more inclusive workforce, which is crucial in our increasingly technologically-driven economy. The anticipated outcomes include higher enrollment numbers in STEM programs and improved retention rates among disabled students, which will not only enhance personal achievement but also contribute to a more diverse talent pool in Idaho’s growing tech and engineering sectors.
Ultimately, leveraging this funding to develop robust outreach strategies can significantly impact the future of STEM education for disabled individuals in Idaho. Unlike neighboring states, like Washington and Oregon, where resources may be more centralized, Idaho's expansive rural landscape necessitates localized efforts to bridge the accessibility gap. By directly addressing knowledge disparities and barriers in rural and underserved urban areas, Idaho aims to cultivate an informed, capable, and empowered disabled community in the STEM fields.
Eligible Regions
Interests
Eligible Requirements
