In August 2026, Morehouse College, a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Atlanta, received a $50,000 planning grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to participate in the FINDERS (Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions) Foundry. The national initiative brings together educators, parents and guardians, researchers and technology experts to develop innovative educational technology (EdTech) solutions and prepare students for an AI-driven economy. Through the grant, Morehouse plans to explore the development of AI-powered learning tools that respond to the needs of students, educators and families while expanding access to STEM education and career pathways.
About the NSF FINDERS Foundry Program Planning Grant
Led by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and the Directorate for STEM Education, the NSF FINDERS Foundry program aims to improve K-12 education through innovative technology and interdisciplinary collaboration. Morehouse College’s participation in the program will enable historically underrepresented communities to help design emerging EdTech tools.
The program will help Morehouse’s multidisciplinary team work to make sure that EdTech tools are culturally and practically responsive to community needs. The planning grant will allow this team to create frameworks for the project and compete for an award of up to $300,000 to continue to build out and launch innovative EdTech tools.
Robert F. Smith’s Support of HBCU and STEM Students
Expanding access to STEM education and emerging technologies can help prepare more students for careers in a rapidly changing economy. This goal also aligns with Robert F. Smith’s longstanding commitment to supporting HBCUs, expanding educational opportunities and helping students build pathways to successful careers.
Smith’s own career reflects the value of STEM education, internships and professional mentorship. As a student, he gained work experience and built professional relationships that helped shape his career. After working as a chemical engineer, he pivoted to finance and later software investing, bringing with him a valuable foundation in STEM education.
During a fireside chat with Harold L. Martin Sr., Ph.D., former Chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Smith shared the story behind his career trajectory from working as a chemical engineer to founding Vista:
Drawing on his own experiences, Smith has made expanding access to education, mentorship and career opportunities a focus of his philanthropy. His efforts include:
- Supporting the Morehouse College Class of 2019: In 2019, Smith committed to eliminating the student loan debt of the Morehouse Class of 2019.
- Expanding access to paid internships: As Founding Director and President of Fund II Foundation, Smith helped establish internXL, an AI-driven platform that connects talented people with the professional world through paid internships and career-readiness training.
- Helping students pursue their career goals: Smith is Chairman of Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a student-centered, evidence-based and holistic tax-exempt nonprofit dedicated to freeing students from the burden of student loan debt. The program aims to help students build the skills and confidence they need after graduation to choose their personal and professional pathways.
Smith’s support of education reform and Morehouse’s participation in the NSF FINDERS Foundry program emphasize the need to expand access to future-ready skills and increase AI workforce participation in all communities.
Learn more about how Smith supports HBCUs and STEM students through his philanthropy by following him on YouTube and LinkedIn.