UW–Platteville is the recipient of a $630,410 National Science Foundation grant to increase its enrollment in online master’s degree programs in STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — fields.

The grant was announced by the office of U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D–La Crosse) Tuesday morning.

The UW–Platteville Distance Learning Center will be able to award 10 scholarships per year for five years through the grant.

“This grant offers a great opportunity to increase access for STEM master’s degrees by expanding scholarships to UW–Platteville’s online graduate program in these critically important fields,” said Kind in a news release. “Supporting student success in math and science is vital to ensuring America can remain competitive in the global economy.”

The grant will fund 10 scholarships per academic year through the 2019–20 academic year. The grant will also fund support services for first-time online students.

According to the grant application, the grant will allow the review of best practices in supporting on-campus STEM undergraduates and apply those to online STEM master’s students.

According to the grant application, goals include increasing the number of students in STEM areas, increased student retention in full-time STEM programs, and expanding employment  in STEM fields, “especially underrepresented populations.”