JMU earns nearly $5 Million in grant and private funds

James Madison University has recently earned a deluge of federal grant and private philanthropy dollars that will support a number of initiatives aimed at remedying a number of societal challenges. Nearly $5 million from three separate sources will strengthen the school’s ability to engage students of all backgrounds in science, boost efforts to produce highly qualified STEM teachers and train nursing students interested in working in underserved areas.

$2.7 million to train nurses who will work in rural areas

The JMU School of Nursing will receive $2.7 million in federal grant money over the next four years to recruit, admit and retain students interested in pursuing nursing and working in underserved primary care environments in Page County. The funding will be used to create partnerships with Valley Health Page Memorial Rural Health Centers, and Counseling and Psychological Services to address shortages in primary, mental health, and substance/opioid abuse treatment in Page County within rural health clinics.

"At a time when Virginia faces a shortage in nurses, this grant will play an important role in supporting students interested in nursing and placing these qualified individuals at primary care facilities in underserved areas," said U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. "We're thrilled that the Department of Health and Human Services and JMU have shown a commitment to this important endeavor."

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$1.2 million to produce STEM teachers

A $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation will boost JMU's efforts to produce highly qualified teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The funding comes through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and will provide up to 32 scholarships over five years. The Noyce Scholars will agree to teach math or science in a high-need school district upon licensure.


"This project is the natural progression of JMU’s efforts to provide the Commonwealth with a strong supply of well-qualified STEM teachers," said Eric Pyle, a professor of geology and environmental science, and coordinator of science teacher preparation at JMU. "Through the project activities, the joint effort will ensure that the graduates of our preparation program have developed identities as both STEM professionals and as STEM teachers."

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$1 million to engage students of all backgrounds in science

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute awarded $1 million to JMU to strengthen the school's ability to engage students of all backgrounds in science. With this Inclusive Excellence grant, JMU will implement a plan for biology majors, whether they come to JMU through traditional or non-traditional pathways, to develop a sense of belonging in the college and identify as future scientists.   

"This initiative to identify and eliminate barriers to student success — especially those that may discourage or disadvantage certain students — aligns with our vision to be the national model for the engaged university," said JMU President Jonathan Alger.

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