Federal Grants Support Equity, Student Success, Research

Cal Poly Pomona received more than $8 million this year in federal funds to support students, provide valuable educational experiences and strengthen partnerships with community colleges. The grants were awarded through the university’s Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation, which is a federal designation.

Nearly half of Cal Poly Pomona’s 27,000 students are Hispanic, and the campus is committed to closing all equity gaps and ensuring every student’s success.

Project STARS received $5 million to expand research opportunities and support services for students. The initiative will fund additional student research projects, hire postdocs to serve as research mentors, and establish an industry advisory board so that STEM companies can join the conversation of student success.

STARS will also strengthen the transfer student pathway from Citrus College and Mt. San Antonio College to Cal Poly Pomona. The campus will partner with the two community colleges to launch a learning community for faculty in STEM fields.

The National Science Foundation provided a $3 million grant for Cal Poly Pomona to expand research opportunities and better prepare students for the workforce. To do that, the CPP INVESTS initiative will address educational inequalities that may have prevented students from accepting an internship or completing extracurricular projects.

Students will be able to participate in micro-internships, which are short-term and project-based; access more flexible research opportunities; and earn badges for completed projects, leadership skills and other accomplishments.