About Us

In 2017, the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the University of Rhode Island (URI) received a grant from the Office of Naval Research to create a community of students, faculty, and government and industry leaders who will strive to expand the Navy science and technology workforce in the region. The program was expanded under a Department of Defense, National Defense Education Program (NDEP), grant from 2021-2024, and has recently grown even further through the ANCHOR Contract managed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and funded by the U.S. Navy through the Maritime Industrial Base Program, which enables continued investment in workforce development and STEM education. Rhode Island and Connecticut represent a critical region for the U.S. Navy. The region is home to the Naval Submarine Base – New London, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, General Dynamics – Electric Boat, Raytheon, as well as over 600 naval supply chain companies. With the expected growth in submarine production, there is a strong demand for engineering workforce in the region.  Our program leads to new opportunities for engineering undergraduates considering Navy-related careers, encourages more students to consider engineering programs in naval science & technology fields and addresses the increasing demand for STEM workforce in the region.

Mission

The mission of the Navy STEM Program at UConn/URI is to create a regional community of naval stakeholders from academia, industry and federal and state agencies focused on STEM workforce development to support the regional and national Navy enterprise.

Program Goals

  • Provide engineering students with naval-relevant course content throughout their undergraduate program
  • Engage naval industry and government professionals to actively participate in the Navy STEM program
  • Contribute to K-12 STEM outreach activities in the region
  • Implement a capstone design program with industry and government sponsors to provide students with real world experience
  • Provide naval-relevant research opportunities to encourage students to pursue advanced degrees
  • Create a tightly focused recruiting environment for students and employers