NSF Awards $1.8M to Help Women Veterans
Enter High-Demand Data Careers
NSF Funds Data Elevates’ New Program to Advance Women Veterans in STEM Fields
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Mail: tbullington@dataelevates.com
Editorial Note (July 25, 2025): The Impacting Communities Through Data program was originally launched with a focus on women veterans. As of this update, eligibility has been expanded to include all U.S. veterans. This change aims to broaden the program’s reach and support more veterans in accessing opportunities for transitioning into STEM fields.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Jan 13, 2024) – Data Elevates, a social enterprise empowering underrepresented communities through STEM skillbuilding, announces the launch of the Impacting Communities Through Data (ICTD) program in Spring 2025. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the ICTD program is designed to upskill women veterans with essential data training for high-demand careers, using a flexible online format to fit the unique schedules of women veterans, many of whom juggle caregiving and other responsibilities. Research into the value of the program, and particularly its use of community service projects as a training tool, will be led by the University of Houston.
The program is a nearly three year collaboration with veteran-serving organizations Zero8Hundred, Foundation for Women Warriors, and San Diego State University (SDSU).
“[Veterans’] background in leadership, discipline, problem-solving, and resilience equips them to excel in this rapidly evolving field and make a positive contribution to a growing industry. It is essential that we invest in initiatives that bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment in STEM careers; the partnership Data Elevates has created with Veteran Service Organizations will allow Veterans across San Diego County to be connected, informed and ready to pursue careers in STEM.”
- Ashley Camac, CEO of Zero8Hundred
Women veterans are the fastest-growing group within the veteran community nationwide, now making up 14% of San Diego County’s veteran population. Research shows that nearly 28% of unemployed women veterans are impacted by caregiving and family responsibilities, creating additional obstacles to securing employment compared to male veterans. The ICTD program addresses these challenges by offering online training that participants can complete on their own schedules, along with team-based projects that build a strong support network to counter the isolation so many feel upon their transition to civilian life. Students in each cohort will work on community service projects and attend workshops featuring women in STEM speakers, gaining real-world experience and confidence to pursue STEM careers.
“[Veterans’] background in leadership, discipline, problem-solving, and resilience equips them to excel in this rapidly evolving field and make a positive contribution to a growing industry. It is essential that we invest in initiatives that bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment in STEM careers; the partnership Data Elevates has created with Veteran Service Organizations will allow Veterans across San Diego County to be connected, informed and ready to pursue careers in STEM.”
- Prem Durairaj, Co-Founder of Data Elevates
Led by Prem Durairaj of Data Elevates, with Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Tomika Greer from the University of Houston, the ICTD program is part of a broader research project, Broadening Participation of Women Veterans in the STEM Workforce through Service Learning. This initiative explores how informal, online service learning can improve STEM skills and job outcomes for women veterans. Building on Dr. Greer's previous NSF-funded studies, which highlighted effective practices in mentorship and career support for veterans, the program seeks to create a scalable model for veteran service providers to help women veterans overcome barriers and successfully transition to civilian careers.
The Impacting Communities Through Data program plans to enroll 200 women veterans, with applications open now. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit veteransindata.org.
About Data Elevates
Data Elevates (DE) is a mission-driven social enterprise building modern data systems and skills in underserved communities around the world. DE works with social impact organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to strengthen capacity for data use and data-driven decision making. DE has supported a range of communities, from Venezuelan migrant women, to women veterans, to small farmers, to under-resourced nonprofits, and others. Learn more at dataelevates.com.