Program Aims
Expanding educational opportunities for women in STEM and advancing America’s leadership in the sciences
The Henry Luce Foundation is committed to transforming STEM ecosystems and has supported diversity in STEM for over 35 years. We envision a future in which all who wish can reach their full potential in STEM. We aspire to contribute to the systemic transformation needed to broaden the participation of women from diverse backgrounds, close the gender gap in STEM, and advance women-led STEM innovation for positive social change.
The Luce Foundation furthers these goals through two program arms: the Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM and STEM Convergence.
Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM
The Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM is dedicated to increasing the participation of women in the sciences and engineering at every level of higher education. The program aims to transform STEM ecosystems across the United States by addressing the structural and cultural barriers that inhibit women’s pursuit of and persistence in STEM fields, expanding educational opportunities for women in STEM, and advancing their leadership in the sciences. As of 2024, the Clare Boothe Luce Program awards grants of up to $750,000 to higher education institutions so they may uncover and address the barriers that prevent or discourage women on their campuses from pursuing and persisting in STEM fields.
STEM Convergence
STEM Convergence, a complement to the Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM, seeks to transform the STEM ecosystem in all sectors so that girls and women, mainly from underserved communities, can study and work in healthy, welcoming, and supportive environments. It also aims to democratize STEM by making STEM learning accessible to all girls and women. Doing so empowers them to flourish as scientists, entrepreneurs, and STEM leaders. By fostering knowledge production and knowledge sharing, the program works better to understand the experiences of girls and women in STEM, strengthen local organizations and networks to address the challenges these individuals may face, and transform the STEM spaces they inhabit.
Contact Us
Have questions? Email us at WomenInStem@hluce.org.
Program Administrators
Aida Gureghian is the program director for leadership at the Henry Luce Foundation. She previously served as the assistant dean for professional development at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at New York University, where she designed and implemented innovative programming to cultivate leadership and public engagement skills. Aida also served as the assistant dean for students at NYU, where she launched several pathway programs for underrepresented students. Prior to pursuing a career in higher education administration, she taught history at the University of Pennsylvania and Brooklyn College. Aida earned her bachelor's degree in history from UCLA, her MPhil from Oxford University, and her PhD in history from the University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining the Luce Foundation, Sarah was the administrative assistant for the PCLB Foundation, managing their office space and providing support for their grant cycle. She was also previously a research assistant at the New School and in the law firm of Paul Weiss. Sarah earned a master’s degree from the New School in Politics, focusing on Global Environmental Politics, and she earned her bachelor’s degree at Penn State University in International Relations with a minor in Environmental Inquiry.
