The National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP) supports EGFP designated institutions and programs in EPSCoR jurisdictions by providing funding for graduate fellowships for new or continuing EGFP-eligible applicants. EGFP awards support a total of three years of stipend and associated cost-of-education (COE) allowance for each NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellow. This award at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology will support twelve EPSCoR Graduate Fellows with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP). This support is aligned with goals and programs within NSFs Directorate for Engineering (ENG) and Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). This project will support graduate students who earned an Honorable Mention in the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) to pursue ground-breaking research in developing new materials for broad scientific and engineering applications. These applications include biomaterials that provide more targeted and effective release of drugs for patients with cancer and other conditions, thin films that improve the efficiency and sustainability of generating ammonia and hydrogen products to improve crop productivity and improve resource conservation, and new polymers that can serve as eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. The project will also advance quantum materials capable of revolutionizing the fields of computi