Morehouse College has been awarded a $50,000 planning grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to support its participation in a groundbreaking national network designed to create AI-ready solutions that will help students thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The NSF’s FINDERS (Fostering Interdisciplinary Network Driven Educationally Responsive Solutions) Foundry program brings together higher education institutions, K–12 educators, researchers, and technologists to develop AI learning pathways and innovative programs that address persistent challenges in education while strengthening the nation’s future workforce.
The FINDERS Foundry program is led by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships in collaboration with the Directorate for STEM Education and philanthropic partners, including the Walton Family Foundation.
“Morehouse College is deeply honored to be selected by the NSF for this forward-looking endeavor. This investment perfectly aligns with Morehouse’s commitment to driving innovation and inclusion within computer science and STEM education,” says Dr. Kinnis Gosha, the Hortinius I. Chenault Endowed Professor and Chair of Computer Science. “Through the FINDERS FOUNDRY program, we are bringing together an interdisciplinary ecosystem to ensure that our educational technologies are not just cutting-edge, but culturally and practically responsive to the communities that need them most.”
Morehouse will use the funds to support the first phase of its research, which will explore stakeholder engagement, data collection, and provide the framework necessary to create a wireframe and prototype for the project. This planning grant also positions Morehouse to compete for a subsequent development award of up to $300,000 to further build, test, and launch their minimum viable product into a public showcase.
Dr. Gosha, Morehouse’s Computer Science Chair, will work on the project in collaboration with Whitney Nelson, the project’s principal investigator and a senior research scientist at the Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing. (The Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing is a hub of innovation, opportunity, excellence, and empowerment which works to increase the representation of historically marginalized groups in the computing workforce.) The project’s other co-principal investigators are Dr. Ashley Scruse, Deputy Director of the Morehouse Supercomputing Facility, and Dr. Mi’Kayla Newell, a postdoctoral researcher at the Center.
The NSF FINDERS Foundry Program ultimately aims to create and scale evidence-based practices, tools, and technologies that improve learning outcomes and prepare students for a digital, AI-driven future. It aligns with national priorities, including Executive Order 14277, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth," which promotes the expansion of AI competencies in schools across the curriculum.
By participating in this competitive national cohort, Morehouse College reinforces its status as a premier institution for scientific inquiry, educational leadership, and workforce readiness in emerging technology sectors.
"By designing educational technology solutions that directly respond to the needs of students, educators, and families, Morehouse continues to serve as an essential engine for equity,” Dr. Gosha added. “This program allows us to co-create tools that democratize access to future-ready skills, ensuring that youth from all backgrounds are prepared to thrive and lead in a digital, AI-driven future."
For information on the computer science initiatives offered by the college, please visit https://morehouse.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/cbpc/.