Fayetteville State Secures $2 Million NSF Award to Grow North Carolina’s STEM Talent Pipeline

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University’s Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to promote student success and retention in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.

The grant, entitled “Supporting Undergraduate Success in Biology, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity through Scholarships and Mentoring,” is part of the NSF’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM). Under this new program, Lloyd College will expand access to scholarships and mentoring for high-achieving students with financial need, fostering greater participation in STEM.

The grant’s leadership team includes Principal Investigator Justin Graham, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and honors program director; Co-Principal Investigators Danielle Graham, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the biological and forensic sciences department; Erin White, Ph.D., associate dean of Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology; and Perry Gillespie, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics. 

As principal investigator, Graham will oversee the project’s implementation, research goals, and reporting to NSF, while co-principal investigators share leadership program design, data analysis, and student support.

“Since joining the faculty at Fayetteville State University, one of my goals has been to establish a program that provides full-ride scholarships to deserving students,” said Justin Graham. “As an FSU alum and recipient of an undergraduate full-ride scholarship myself, I know firsthand how transformative it can be to remove the financial burden of paying for college. We are excited to see how far our students can go when they are able to focus entirely on their education and their full college experience.”

Over the next six years, 30 students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology, forensic science, mathematics, computer science, or cybersecurity will receive scholarships averaging $15,000 per year. Alongside this, scholars will gain hands-on research experience, develop professional skills, and build valuable industry connections. These elements are designed to support academic success and launch students into promising STEM careers.

This latest NSF award adds to Lloyd College’s growing record of research and innovation. Earlier this year, college faculty secured a $393,641 NSF grant to integrate genetic engineering and computational biology into undergraduate courses, demonstrating the college’s ongoing pursuit of cutting-edge advancements.

Fayetteville State researchers are also contributing to a $20 million multi-institutional NSF center focused on complex biological processes. The university is a partner in a $3 million NSF-funded graduate traineeship program that integrates artificial intelligence and plant sciences, collaborating with institutions such as North Carolina State University. Together, these initiatives highlight FSU’s expanding research partnerships and its rising national profile in the sciences.

“This grant represents a transformational opportunity for our students and our institution,” said Afua Arhin, Ph.D., dean of the Lloyd College of Health, Science and Technology. “I am deeply proud of the faculty who led this effort and have demonstrated outstanding dedication and collaboration in advancing student success in STEM.”

The S-STEM program will begin recruiting its first cohort of 10 students in spring 2026, with classes starting in fall 2026.