Maynooth University welcomes the award of funding of €845,000 under Research Ireland’s Discover programme to the STEM Passport for Inclusion initiative.
Co-funded by the Department of Education, the award is the largest among the 40 projects that received total funding of €6.5 million under the Discover Programme, designed to enhance public engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), emphasising collaboration with communities.
The award-winning STEM Passport for Inclusion is an initiative led by Prof Katriona O’Sullivan at Maynooth University in partnership with lead and founding partner Microsoft Dream Space. Funded by Microsoft Ireland, Research Ireland and the Department of Education, as well as by many industry and education partners, STEM Passport creates an innovative pathway for students from under-served backgrounds to third level education by earning a Level 6 STEM qualification, work experience opportunities, and mentoring from inspiring industry role models.
The new funding, which is matched by financial support from a range of industry partners, will allow for a two-year expansion of the programme, from 2025 to 2027, to include more students as well as expanding to other groups including those studying for the Leaving Cert Applied. Details of the next phase of the programme, along with new industry partners, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Welcoming the Research Ireland announcement, MU President Professor Eeva Leinonen said: “The STEM Passport for Inclusion programme is a pioneering initiative which has engaged over 5,000 students across Ireland, particularly girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, and offered them a supported pathway into STEM.
“Maynooth University is very proud of the success of the initiative which highlights what can be achieved when industry and education work together, and we look forward to the expansion of the programme which this funding makes possible."
Prof O’Sullivan, Director of the Irish Centre for Inclusive Higher Education, who founded the programme said: “We in Maynooth University are thrilled to see the support for the STEM Passport continue from the Department of Education, Research Ireland and Microsoft Ireland. It is important that industry and education come together to solve the STEM skills gap.”
The programme provides students in DEIS schools with access to computer science skills, coding, design thinking and generic STEM skills as well as industry mentoring and work experience to help them see their future in STEM courses and careers, efforts which are now bearing fruit. STEM Passport for Inclusion graduate Ava Kenny is currently a Third Year Science student at Maynooth University.
Commenting on her participation in the programme, Ava said: “Before taking part in the STEM Passport for Inclusion I was unsure if I wanted to pursue a college education, let alone pursue a career in STEM. The realm of science seemed distant and unfamiliar to me, and I didn’t know of anyone working in STEM.
"From my first day in the programme, I was captivated by the many doors a career in STEM could open for me. The STEM Passport for Inclusion guided my path into third level education as I am now studying science at Maynooth University.”
Peri-Elkie Manyi Tiendioh, now a First Year Astrophysics student at MU, also took part in the programme as a TY student. “When I first heard about it, I thought it was something to try out. After going there the first day I was really interested because it was so different from the Home Economics and Biology we were doing back in school. It was really fun, really engaging and it opened my eyes to the world of STEM.”
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| First Year Astrophysics student Peri-Elkie Tiendioh | Third Year Science student Ava Kenny |
Announcing the funding, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless highlighted the importance of initiatives like STEM Passport for Inclusion: “These Discover-funded projects are crucial for triggering curiosity and encouraging greater participation in STEM across all education levels and within our communities. In particular, this investment will help foster a deeper understanding of STEM among underrepresented voices and inspire many of them to potentially become more involved in studies and careers in these fields. This will empower future generations to tackle societal challenges and share innovative solutions.”
Welcoming her department’s co-funding of eight of the Discover projects, including STEM Passport for Inclusion, Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee said: “Advancing a greater awareness and appreciation of STEM among our communities can play an instrumental role in inspiring students of all ages. STEM stretches far beyond the classroom and lecture halls, and the projects we are supporting will help thread theories through to real-world application and relevance."
