This Innovation Fund grant competition, supported by Colombia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Minciencias), the Higher Education Agency of Medellín—Sapiencia, and the U.S. Department of State, supported 5 new higher education partnerships between the United States and Colombia. These grants provided more dynamic exchange and training opportunities for students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), agricultural sciences, and social sciences, with an emphasis on post-conflict resolution and peace building.

 

Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin, Colombia

The University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, United States

Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano and the University of Texas at El Paso co-developed a joint research training program for students pursuing computer and electrical engineering degrees to develop research skills in computer vision, an interdisciplinary field that encompasses systems, models, and techniques in acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation of digital images and video.

 

 

Tecnológico de Antioquia–Institución Universitaria, Medellin, Colombia

Tennessee State University, Tennessee, United States

Tecnológico de Antioquia – Institución Universitaria, in collaboration with Tennessee State University, implemented a program that fostered student engagement in research in engineering and technology at both the undergraduate and doctoral levels.


 

Fundación Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia

Texas Tech University, Texas, United States

Fundación Universidad del Norte and Texas Tech University designed an innovative model for students from low-income families and those with financial hardship in Colombia and the U.S. to participate in an international research and educational exchange in the theme of renewable energy.


 

Universidad del Tolima, Ibague, Colombia

North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States

Universidad del Tolima and North Carolina State University collaborated on a program that improved the training of undergraduate students in agricultural sciences through research in the poultry sector. The program enabled them to contribute to the knowledge and experiences around food production, and understanding family farming ,and agricultural activities managed by poultry farmers in the U.S. and Colombia.


 

Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, Bogotá, Colombia

Eastern Washington University, Washington, United States

Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas partnered with Eastern Washington University to implement a program focused on health care and post-conflict studies. The program provided students the opportunity to conduct research and provide policy proposals on improving health outcomes and increase access in post-conflict rural settings in Colombia.