Students from Tribal Colleges and Universities across the United States gathered recently in Bismarck, ND, for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Student Conference, an annual event that celebrates Indigenous student achievement through academic competition, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge. This year, ND EPSCoR sponsored the awards for the scientific poster and oral presentation competitions and the knowledge bowl.

ND EPSCoR is pleased to announce the recipients of our FY26 STEM research seed awards. We received 57 proposals from North Dakota researchers. Nearly $500,000 will be awarded to the following eight projects. Funding will be provided to faculty for the purpose of generating preliminary data needed to support the preparation of a proposal for submission to a federal agency. We offer our thanks to everyone who submitted a proposal, and our congratulations to these awardees.

Our March 2026 News and Notes newsletter is now available. In this issue: - Note from the Director - NSF encourages researchers to submit investigator-initiated proposals - ND EPSCoR FY26 Undergraduate STEM Research and Education Awards announced - ND EPSCoR funding opportunities - RFP open for NATURE Sunday Academy STEM Modules - UTTC to host 12th Annual Tribal College Research Symposium - Reminder: let us know about your E-RISE or E-CORE proposal - ND STEM highlights - Events - Other funding