About FOSSI
Learn more about what inspired the creation of the Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), benefits of the program and its measures of success.
Recognizing that certain professionals are underrepresented relative to their numbers in the general population in the chemical and related industry workforce, in November of 2020, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Chemours and HBCU Week Foundation partnered to establish the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). This national industry-wide program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented professionals in the STEM workforce by providing scholarships to all students pursuing preferred STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
FOSSI is dedicated to supporting those STEM Scholars who would otherwise not have access to a STEM education by eliminating financial barriers.
Based on a cost per scholar of $48,000, each FOSSI scholar is awarded a $40K scholarship ($10K per year, for four years), and offered leadership development, mentoring and internship opportunities with program sponsors, and access to AIChE student networking events.
With funding from over 70 chemical manufacturers and related industry stakeholders, the program has raised nearly $30 million to support more than 600 scholars through 2025. Our scholarship recipients represent 30+ states, with students attending 42 HBCUs. Since its inception, thousands of high school students across the nation have applied for FOSSI scholarships, demonstrating both the urgent need for this program and the enormous pool of untapped talent.
I am proud of this partnership between the HBCU Week Foundation, AIChE, the American Chemistry Council, and Chemours. It is through partnerships like these, that black and brown children nationwide can actualize their full potential at HBCUs while minimizing the burden of student debt.
Why FOSSI?
When our industry opens doors in underserved communities to science, technology, engineering, and math education, we’re helping equip ourselves and the world with a diverse, highly talented future workforce ready to bring the perspective and intellect needed to innovate and tackle the big challenges that lie ahead. For more information on how to apply, acceptable majors, deadlines, and the decision making process, visit FOSSI FAQs.
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The challenges faced by underrepresented communities in today’s world must be addressed.
The chemical industry and our affiliates are committed to creating opportunities across our workplaces—including our facilities, boardrooms, and the communities in which we operate. FOSSI brings together the industry’s collective might to make a significant impact in the lives of our future leaders, who will one day help solve the world’s most pressing challenges.
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Without action, the United States will fall behind.
- Since 2006, there’s been a continued decline in the number of African Americans pursuing degrees in Engineering, as reported by American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
- Of the 40 most advanced countries in the world, the United States is 38th when it comes to graduating science majors, according to a 2015 report of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
- Economists project that over the next decade, China, South Korea, and India will produce over 50 percent of the world’s engineers and scientists, with the U.S. contributing well below 10 percent.
- The OECD ranks American students 17th in science achievement and 25th in math ability out of 65 countries.
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What is FOSSI's focus?
FOSSI's initial focus is on increasing the number of minorities in the STEM workforce by providing scholarships to students pursuing preferred STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and connecting these students to leadership development, mentoring, and internship opportunities at participating companies.
To date, FOSSI has raised ~ $30 million to support close to 600 scholars, over halfway to the program’s ambitious goal of supporting 1000 scholars through 2025. These scholars represent:
- A solution that delivers real impact for companies by significantly increasing the number of students underrepresented in the STEM talent pool.
- A demonstration of meaningful corporate social responsibility and leadership by the chemical industry.
The need for this type of program is clear and immediate.
- According to 2012 statistics from the United States Department of Labor, Black and Latinx college students make up less than 20% of those studying in science- or math-based disciplines and only 5% of the STEM-related workforce.1
- HBCUs are well positioned to help fill the gap, as they are responsible for 40% of the bachelor’s degrees awarded to Black students in such STEM fields as physics, chemistry, environmental science and mathematics.2
- It is our belief that this program will support students in becoming the next generation of scientists, researchers, engineers, mathematicians and doctors, innovating and finding solutions to some of the future’s most pressing problems.
- FOSSI recognizes and rewards demonstrated achievement, talent, work ethic and most importantly, future potential of students that have been historically overlooked and underrepresented in our industry.
1 https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/01/09/diversity-in-the-stem-workforce-varies-widely-across-jobs/
2 https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1000229.pdf
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Who does FOSSI support?
FOSSI is dedicated to supporting scholars who would otherwise not have access to quality STEM education due to financial barriers. Eligible applicants must:
- Complete or have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) and be entering their freshman year of college
- Pursue studies in pertinent chemical and engineering industry STEM field, with preferred majors including, but not limited to:
- Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Material Science, Environmental Sciences, IT, and Sustainability.
- Attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) for the entirety of their college education
- Have interest in pursuing a career in chemical manufacturing, engineering, environmental health and sustainability or other related chemical-industry fields
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
AIChE is fully committed to an equity, diversity, and inclusion goal of 100% parity in the profession. Working with such great partners, we envision FOSSI paving the way for hundreds of students to attend HBCUs — and to become the future superstars of the chemical industry.
Measurements of Success
In order to deliver real impact for companies and our industry, our success will be measured by the following:
- Number of students participating in FOSSI
- Number of students successfully completing a preferred STEM degree
- Number of internship hours provided to scholars
- Number of scholars hired by a FOSSI sponsoring company following graduation
- Substantial progress in funding a diverse STEM talent pipeline
Eligible applicants must:
- Complete or have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) and be entering their freshman year of college
- Have interest in pursuing a career in chemical manufacturing, engineering, environmental health and sustainability or other related chemical-industry fields
- Attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) for the entirety of their college education
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
FOSSI is a core initiative of the AIChE Doing a World of Good campaign and its All for Good: Engineering for Inclusion priority, which is driving industry-wide improvement in equity, diversity and inclusion.
Note: FOSSI is envisioned as the first of several efforts designed to address the needs of underrepresented groups, toward our ultimate goal of 100% parity in our profession.