ICON, a leading global contract research organization, has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to support HBCUs in their efforts to boost the representation of minority populations in the workforce. 

ICON CEO, Dr. Steve Cutler, said in a press release, “In addition to inspiring more students to choose STEM-related university courses, we want to help students who, due to socio-economic or other circumstances, might not be able to benefit from third level education opportunities. We also want to contribute to building a diverse graduate pool of talented and ambitious STEM professionals who can help to ensure the future success of the life sciences industry.”

The organization established a scholarship program to help 33 students in both the U.S. and Ireland to pursue STEM-related courses in the 2022-2023 academic year. 

Fayetteville State University is among the colleges that will benefit from the program, a press release from ICON said. 

The other North Carolina schools included on the list are Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, and Winston-Salem State University. 

“Our partnership with ICON advances our overall mission to remove financial barriers for students,” said Dr. Eric Hart, Chief Programs Officer at Thurgood Marshall College Fund, in a press release.  "ICON's STEM scholarships will address a very real need to ensure more STEM talent persists to degree completion."