Together, We Are
Investing in Learning
& Human Potential
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Foundation has been investing in education, learning, and human potential in Northern New Mexico since 1997.
Our Work
Education is the answer to some of the deepest problems in New Mexico, our nation and our world. And that is what drives the work of the Foundation. We know that by working together with students, educators, communities, leaders, and businesses, we can ignite opportunities previously unimagined.
Our Research & Advocacy
A STEM Innovation Network for New Mexico: Partner Convening Report
On November 7th, 2024, Kersti Tyson, PhD, LANL Foundation and Monica Martinez Archuleta, PhD, Triad/
LANL, co-chairs for the Northern NM STEAM Coalition and the STEM Innovation Action Team (a collective of
STEM education advocates in New Mexico), in partnership with the Encantado Foundation, hosted a statewide
day-long convening of stakeholders to discuss the creation of a STEM Innovation Network for New Mexico
(STEM IN NM). Representatives from multiple sectors of the community were present in person and virtually
including educators from K-12 schools, out-of-school time organizations, and higher education institutions;
state government representatives; business and industry representatives; nonprofit leaders; Tribal community
representatives; and community advocates. Zach Taylor from the Center for Transforming Education facilitated
the convening with the support of the STEM Innovation Action Team. Heather Summers from Project ECHO
expertly facilitated the virtual space, ensuring those participating on Zoom were fully included throughout the
day.
The STEM IN NM Convening was divided into two parts. Despite a sudden snow storm in the region, over 100
people attended the morning session in person and virtually to learn about past and current efforts to create a
STEM Innovation Network in New Mexico, to hear panels of experts speak about the need for STEM education
innovation in NM from employers and workforce development perspectives, and to learn from leaders of STEM
Innovation Networks in other states. In the afternoon, a smaller group of about 50 participants engaged in
discussions to envision the work they would like to see a STEM Innovation Network accomplish in NM.
Resilient Families: Helping Grandparents and Kin Raise Children in New Mexico
“Resilient Families: Helping Grandparents and Kin Raise Children in New Mexico” details the growth and specific needs of kinship families in the state and making recommendations for how these families can be better supported.
Grandparents and kin play an increasingly important role in raising children in New Mexico. From 2017 to 2023, the number of children in kinship care (where grandparents or kin raise children) rose from 30,000 to 36,000, an increase of 20 percent. This is likely an undercount, however, since many families rely on informal arrangements. By some census estimates, as many as 55 children are being informally raised by kin for every one child being raised by kin through the state’s foster care program.
The Employer’s Guide to Successful Internships
Internship programs give New Mexican employers a way to find, develop, and retain local talent. Young people in our state have deep connections to culture, family, and community. Participating in internships enables young people to envision themselves as professionals, to find work opportunities without leaving the state, to understand what is needed to succeed in the workplace, to make informed educational choices, and to find lasting purpose in both their community and their career. By investing in young New Mexicans today, employers can build their stable workforce of tomorrow.
Our Programs
We work to understand Northern New Mexico communities and learn better ways to serve them. Guided by our board of directors and strategic plan, we build upon accumulated knowledge, programmatic experience, feedback, evaluation data, best practices, and partnerships not only to meet the needs of students and families but also to effectively grow programs in meaningful ways.
Early Childhood
The Early Childhood Program at the LANL Foundation is committed to strengthening children, families, and communities in a culturally respectful way. By supporting children (prenatal to five) and their families through leveraging family support systems such as home visitation, they…
K-12
Our K-12 Program grows and bolsters teachers and educational leaders through programming that is highly effective, culturally sustaining, and inquiry based, to create education ecosystems with the conditions for students and educators to thrive. Our three strategic priorities are: 1)…
College, Career & Community Pathways (C3P)
We believe everyone has a unique contribution to make and deserves to be able to earn a living doing something meaningful in their community of choice. All youth and young adults should be supported to build upon their assets, pursue…
Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC)
The Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC), the LANL Foundation's flagship K-12 program, provides Inquiry STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum focusing on physical and earth sciences for students in grades K–6 throughout Northern New Mexico.
Our Scholarships
Since 1999, LANL Foundation in partnership with the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund (LAESF) Advisory Committee has awarded more than 2,000 scholarships worth over $10 million to deserving students and adult learners from Northern New Mexico. These students share a commitment to academic achievement, leadership and service.
Four-Year Undergraduate Scholarships
Four-year Undergraduate Scholarships are designated for high school seniors and current undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in any field of study. The process is competitive and open to students who are residents of the Foundation’s seven-county service area in Northern New Mexico.
Career Pathways Scholarships
Career Pathways Scholarships are for individuals who have a specific career in mind and are committed to earning an associate’s degree or certification in any field or trade. These scholarships are available to high school students and adult learners with a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency (HSE).
Our Grants
The LANL Foundation’s vision is that all New Mexicans have the skills and confidence they need to be self-sufficient, lifelong learners who are engaged with their community. Through our grants program, we seek to support and invest in change-making, innovative organizations, schools and communities. Through these investments in relationships, we work with our expert and visionary grantees to plant seeds of skills, confidence and opportunity with and for students, teachers, families and thought-leaders.
Competitive Grants
LANL Foundation’s competitive grants support schools, school districts, non-profits, Pueblos, Nations, and tribal communities in the Foundation’s seven-county service area of Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties. Our competitive grants support a spectra of projects that provide innovative community and school-based programming, collaboration, and advocacy for lifelong learning.
Invitational Grants
Invitational Grants allow LANL Foundation to strategically partner with schools, organizations, and tribal communities to cultivate innovative programming, further pilot projects, and fund needs not met by our Competitive Grants.
Donate Today
Your tax-deductible donation to the LANL Foundation supports programs that inspire excellence in education and life-long learning in Northern New Mexico through innovative programming, collaboration and advocacy.
