The Vanderbilt University program, Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering (NISE), has produced 24 autistic Ph.D.s since its inception. Founded by Keivan Stassun, NISE aims to foster participation from both neurotypical and neurodivergent students, emphasizing mentorship and community. However, the program is jeopardized by funding pauses from the National Science Foundation, after Stassun was promised $4 million to expand the initiative but has not received the funds. This highlights broader issues with NSF funding delays affecting various grant applicants.
"We really thought of [NISE] as a kind of a win-win-win. One win being the basic engineering and science research that these students were conducting. Another win being for advancing solutions for autistic and neurodivergent people in science and engineering..."
"In January, Stassun said, he received notice from the agency that the FCAI would be awarded $4 million in funding. But since then, he's gotten nothing but radio silence from the NSF; the funding..."
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