EmpowerSTEM mentor training for youth in STEM
Official title: Fundamental Training for Formal and Informal STEM Mentors
Funded at Innovation Research and Training, INC. · NIH-11413570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A comprehensive mentor training program helps adults and peers guide young people in STEM to stay engaged and pursue STEM paths.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Innovation Research and Training, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $986,262 |
| NIH project number | 5R44GM137663-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are youth aged 0-21 who engage in STEM programs and have access to mentors, along with their mentors (formally assigned or informal).
✕Less likely to help
Youth without access to mentoring or in settings where mentoring is not implemented may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops and tests EmpowerSTEM, a mentor training program designed for both formal and informal mentors of youth in STEM. It focuses on understanding youths’ unique needs, building supportive relationships, and promoting STEM identity and persistence. The study examines how the training affects mentorship quality and STEM-related outcomes among participating youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, EmpowerSTEM could help more youths stay engaged in STEM and consider STEM careers.
How similar studies have gone: Similar mentoring training efforts have shown promising improvements in mentor-youth relationships and STEM engagement, though a dedicated youth STEM mentor training product is not yet widespread.
Where this research is happening
-
Innovation Research and Training, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stelter, Rebecca Lynn — Innovation Research and Training, INC.
- Study coordinator: Stelter, Rebecca Lynn
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.