Florida-Georgia Louis B. Stokes Alliance

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) serves as the primary hub for the Florida-Georgia Louis B. Stokes Alliance (FGLSAMP)—a collaborative network of fourteen institutions of higher education dedicated to expanding access to STEM baccalaureate and graduate degrees for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, founded by Drs. Frederick Humphries and Ralph Turner, the alliance includes FAMU, Albany State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida Memorial University, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Florida State University, Miami Dade College, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of South Florida, and Tallahassee State College.

Operating as a vital support system, FGLSAMP applies a holistic framework designed to reduce attrition in technical disciplines and address critical drop-off points along the STEM educational pipeline. From its founding, the alliance has prioritized student recruitment, retention, and academic persistence. By fostering a close-knit network of dedicated educators, mentors, and administrators, FGLSAMP cultivates an environment that elevates students’ academic preparation and completion rates in high-demand technical fields.

Since 1992, partner institutions have delivered high-impact academic support through structured learning communities, targeted skill-enhancement programs, early undergraduate research opportunities, and comprehensive graduate school preparation. These initiatives aim to ensure long-term student success while opening pathways to high-impact academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Building on this foundation, FGLSAMP expanded its mission over the following decade to connect students directly with hands-on research training at research universities, national labs, and regional and national conferences. Across its most recent award cycles, the alliance has focused heavily on advanced degree preparation through the Bridge to the Doctorate initiative—a pathway created in 2003 to support scholars transitioning from undergraduate studies to doctoral programs. To date, FGLSAMP has secured 18 National Science Foundation Bridge to the Doctorate awards, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of STEM researchers, innovators, and leaders.