Benedictine University has secured a $1.58 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program. The funding will support the BenSTEMS: Empowering Futures in STEM through Academic, Social, and Financial Supports initiative over the next five years.

The BenSTEMS program is designed to offer scholarships and comprehensive support to undergraduate students majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. The initiative aims to address financial barriers as well as academic challenges that often impede student progress in STEM fields.

According to Benedictine University officials, BenSTEMS will provide mentoring, leadership opportunities, career-readiness programming, and research experiences for academically talented students with significant financial need. "By addressing both financial difficulties and the academic 'chokepoints' that often hinder student success in STEM, the initiative seeks to expand access, improve retention and graduation rates, and prepare graduates to thrive in high-demand fields."

The program leverages Benedictine University's foundation in science education alongside its liberal arts tradition and commitment to inclusive excellence. Students selected for BenSTEMS will participate in a cohort-based model focused on community building through peer mentoring and faculty engagement. There will also be opportunities for students to connect with alumni and industry partners.

From their first year at Benedictine University, participants will receive tailored coursework support as well as professional development workshops. They will also have access to undergraduate research projects both at Benedictine University and at partner institutions such as regional national laboratories or industry sites.

A key component of the grant involves research into how combining financial assistance with academic and social supports affects student outcomes. The results are expected not only to shape future programs at Benedictine University but also contribute data toward national efforts aimed at supporting low-income students pursuing STEM degrees.

University leaders state that by providing these resources—including knowledge-building activities and professional networking—BenSTEMS is intended to help graduates succeed in areas where STEM skills are increasingly important.