The Last Mile Education Fund has announced the creation of a $100,000 regional fund called the North Texas Biotech Workforce Fund to support students pursuing STEM and biotech-related degrees.
The Last Mile Education Fund is a nonprofit fundraising organization that strives to address social inequality and increase diversity in the technology and engineering fields by providing financial support for underrepresented and low-income students.
In contrast to traditional scholarships, the Last Mile Education Fund takes a wide-ranging investment approach, pinpointing committed students in the technology and engineering fields and providing support for the opportunities and challenges they face that are beyond their control. They also work to inspire students to grow into the next generation of innovators.
This is the first geographically targeted grant program proposed by the Last Mile Education Fund. Lyda Hill Philanthropies invested in the grant, focusing on North Texas students in 26 counties who want to be in the biotech and STEM fields. They want to ensure students who face obstacles in reaching their goals, such as gaps in financial support, receive assistance.
CEO of Biotech Initiatives at Lyda Hill Philanthropies Tom Luce said, “With the growing life science community ecosystem in North Texas, including the recently announced Biotech+ Hub at Pegasus Park, a 23-acre office park developed to bolster local biotech innovation, our area needs more STEM and biotech graduates to enter life science careers. This investment will augment the North Texas region’s reputation for scientific and medical innovation by helping to accelerate the availability of a qualified workforce for the new life science companies burgeoning in our region.”
Eligible students must reside in the United States, attend an eligible two or four-year institution in North Texas, and demonstrate financial need. Qualified students may access the fund on an ongoing basis to support their educational progress and overcome unexpected financial barriers. Each student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will receive individualized funding to facilitate their success.
“We know that students are balancing many priorities in pursuing a biotech career, which is why Last Mile takes an abundance approach to investing in students,” said the CEO and founder of the nonprofit, Ruthe Farmer. “Our funds can be used to cover a broad array of costs from a car repair to food to family expenses — anything that is a barrier to their success.”
Learn more about the Last Mile Education Fund here: http://www.lastmile-ed.org/ntxbiotech
Learn more about Lyda Hill Philanthropies here: https://www.lydahillphilanthropies.org/