The Simons Foundation is partnering with its sister foundation, Simons Foundation International, to gift Stony Brook University $56 million to help boost diversity in STEM.

The gift is aimed to provide scholarships to 50 underrepresented students that are paving a path to STEM careers, beginning in fall of 2023. It will also provide financial support to students with housing and stipends, as well as providing internships and research opportunities.

“The Stony Brook Simons STEM Scholars Program will allow young people to reach their potential as they bring new, much-needed diversity of perspective to science and innovation,” Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis said in a statement.

STEM careers have experienced a 79% growth in the last 30 years, but Black and Hispanic workers only account for 17% of the sector's workforce in the United States, according to Stony Brook University.

Jim and Marilyn Simons, co-founders and co-chairs of the Simons Foundation spoke on why this gift is so important to this program in particular.

“We are proud to be taking steps to increase diversity in the STEM fields. The support network, tight-knight community, and sense of belonging that student will find in this program will be life-changing. We’re incredible proud to be part of a program like this, with positive implications not just for Stony Brook, but for New York State and the broader scientific and mathematical communities,” Simons said.

Incoming freshmen a part of the program will have the opportunity to attend a summer program that enables them to meet mentors, advisors, and peers in the field before the semester begins. They also will receive student housing, which includes two years of living with other STEM students in a collaborative environment.