The HSRU Consortium for DOD Research and STEM Graduate Pathways is a nationally coordinated initiative led by the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD). This initiative brings together 27 R1-designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions to strengthen the nation’s scientific and technical workforce in alignment with defense research priorities.
About the Project
The project is anchored by The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the University of Central Florida (UCF) and coordinated under the centralized operational infrastructure of the HSRU Alliance. Through this collaboration, the consortium is establishing a multi-institutional model for supporting graduate student development, faculty leadership, and high-priority defense-aligned research.


Programs
Central to this initiative is the ASCENDR framework (Advancing STEM Careers through Education, Networking, Development + Research), which integrates four interconnected programs:

An overarching component supports integration across all programs, ensuring coherence, coordinated communications, and consistent stakeholder engagement.


Getting Involved
ASCENDR programs are available exclusively to students and faculty affiliated with member institutions of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Program details and participation opportunities are outlined in each program page.

External stakeholders interested in engagement opportunities, including collaboration, mission support, and participation int he HSRU infrastructure, are encouraged to visit the partnerships page.

General inquiries may be directed to hsru@utep.edu. 
Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities