# Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program

> **NIH NIH R25** · HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION, INC. · 2024 · $249,282

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Broad Objectives: The Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program will work to promote the
power of young people, especially Black and Latinx youth, to diversify the science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Participants will be Boston area high school students who are
underrepresented in STEM fields (Black and Latinx youth, first-generation college students, low-income
students). Combining paid data science internship opportunities, college access and persistence,
career readiness supported by professional mentorship, and social-emotional learning programming will
enable youth to access the financial stability associated with a booming STEM industry without leaving
the city where they grew up, while also supporting local industry with a more diverse and well-prepared
applicant pool.
Specific Aims: The Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program will reach 150 Boston-area high
school students typically underrepresented in STEM fields over five years to increase: (1) Knowledge
and skills of data science through programming over two years; (2) Career readiness in data science
through mentorships for each participant with a data science professional, data science career
exploration events, and career readiness workshops; (3) College access and persistence through
college visits, college readiness workshops, and individualized college application, financial aid, and
scholarship application support; and, (4) Youth leadership supported through social emotional learning
programming and opportunities such as a Youth Leadership Team and youth-led workshops.
Design and Methods: This two-year program will consist of: (1) two paid data science internships, the
first summer focused on training and the second summer focused on applied skills; (2) college access
and persistence programming; (3) career readiness supported by mentorship; and, (4) social-emotional
learning programming for a total of 150 Boston-area high school students underrepresented in STEM
careers. Each summer 30 youth (24 of whom will be paid through this grant) will begin the program with
a five-week paid data science training internship at MIT. Youth will learn quantitative methods, data
analysis and coding alongside basic wet lab skills to better prepare them for internships and careers in
data science fields. In addition, youth will gain skills critical to success such as time management,
proactive communication, networking, and public speaking. These 150 youth will be part of a larger
program called the LEAH Project that will place a total of 500 Boston-area high school youth in paid
STEM internships during the grant period.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10928117
- **Project number:** 5R25GM146278-03
- **Recipient organization:** HEALTH RESOURCES IN ACTION, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristen Laura Mueller
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $249,282
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-09 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10928117

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10928117, Knox Scholars Data Science Research Program (5R25GM146278-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10928117. Licensed CC0.

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