DECEMBER 15, 2022 — The UTSA-led Consortium on Nuclear Security Technologies (CONNECT) has received a five-year, $5 million renewal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The funds will go toward UTSA’s efforts to educate and train the next generation of scientists and engineers, to provide innovative solutions to challenges related to nuclear security and to bolster the nation’s pipeline of underrepresented students prepared for research careers.

CONNECT provided funds for 45 students at three institutions during its first phase, which started three years ago. Participants included 23 undergraduate students and 22 graduate students from UTSA, St. Mary’s University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The program had a retention rate of 86% and over half of its participants identified as underrepresented minorities.

“CONNECT provides transdisciplinary, transformative and collaborative learning opportunities where students make a national impact through groundbreaking research while gaining marketable skills and network connections to help them thrive in their future careers,” said Kimberly Andrews Espy, UTSA provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “We are grateful for the generous support from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue this valuable program.”