The UI Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (UI-LSAMP) is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and named after former U.S. Representative Louis Stokes who served as a leading figure in United States Congress in matters concerning civil rights, equality, and social and economic justice.

UI-LSAMP is part of the Iowa Illinois Nebraska STEM Partnership for Innovation in Research and Education (IINSPIRE) which is an alliance among 16 two-year and four-year colleges and universities working together to attract the states’ growing underrepresented minority (URM) population into STEM fields.

The mission of the UI-LSAMP IINSPIRE Alliance is to increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) STEM graduates in the alliance. Students from populations historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines are a growing segment of the region’s population, therefore there is statewide urgency to remove the barriers to progress in developing a diverse STEM workforce.

In addition to carrying out paid undergraduate research, UI-LSAMP Interns are invited to enroll in a ISA – Student Development Seminars (1 s.h.) depending on the student’s point of entry into the program. Course should be determined with assistance from program staff.