NSF Advance

Pursuing and applying new scientific and engineering knowledge requires the talent, perspectives and insight that only an increasingly diverse science, engineering, and technological workforce can assure. Despite modest advances nationally in the proportion of women choosing to pursue science and engineering careers, women continue to be significantly underrepresented in almost all science and engineering fields.

• Approximately 25% of the science and engineering workforce at large is female.
• Less than 21% of science and engineering faculty positions in 4-year colleges and universities are held by women.
• About 2% of science and engineering faculty in 4-year colleges and universities are women from underrepresented minority groups.

The goal of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) ADVANCE program is to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers, thereby contributing to the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce.  ADVANCE awards support innovative and comprehensive programs that work to transform institutional environments for women scientists and engineers in academe.