New Mexico State University's (NMSU) New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) has designated nearly $2.5 million in scholarship funds for graduate students from New Mexico who are pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics at the university, according to a press release. This allocation, intended to span three academic years, constitutes a portion of the $10 million allotment by NMHED to state universities within New Mexico that offer graduate degrees, aiming to support students in STEM disciplines.

Qualified students meeting the criteria will be granted awards capped at a maximum of $7,200 per academic year. To be considered eligible for these scholarships, students need to have completed their high school education in New Mexico and subsequently enrolled in a full-time master's or doctoral degree program, according to the release.

“New Mexico State University is leading the way with research and innovation that will help us respond to a changing climate, develop a diverse and sustainable economy and usher in a brighter future for Southern New Mexico, our state and the entire Southwest,” said New Mexico State Rep. Nathan Small, chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, according to the release. “These scholarships for graduate students in STEM will help us reduce economic barriers to post-graduate education, while recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest minds to contribute to the exciting work being done at New Mexico’s land-grant institution. To keep our state moving forward, we must continue to look for opportunities to invest in research and innovation and expand support for New Mexico’s graduate students and programs.”

“NMSU has a wide array of high-quality STEM graduate programs across our academic colleges, and I know these funds will encourage more of our New Mexico students to pursue their graduate degrees and complete their training in a timely manner,” said Phame Camarena, interim dean of the NMSU Graduate School, according to a press release. “This is great news for both NMSU and the state of New Mexico.”