Invest in STEM. Inspire the Future.
Science.Health. Life.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, our goal is to supply the scientific community privately-based basic and translational research funding
Our Goals:
Inspire future scientists:
By increasing STEM awareness and engagement within the wider community through mentorship, social media, and community programming.
Support current scientists:
Through scholarships and grants that are funded by local community fundraising efforts.
Fund research and development:
By providing a simple platform for the private sector to engage in and support scientific basic and translational research.
Reaching our Goals through Key Programs
Scholarship and Grant Programs
Our flagship programs are primarily funded through the annual W.I.S.H. WineSTEM 5K (held on the last Sunday of October). These programs include:
$500 scholarships for high school students in the United States entering STEM fields, including traditional universities, trade schools, and apprenticeships.
$1000 STEM Conference Travel Grants for post-secondary students across the United States.
Additionally, businesses can sponsor individual high school scholarships or STEM Conference Travel Grants, with W.I.S.H. providing full administrative support, including personalized application development, unbiased evaluation, and fund distribution.
Education and Outreach Program
This program fosters early interest in STEM by providing educational initiatives, guest speakers, and grade-appropriate project kits to K-12 schools, after-school programs, and community organizations.
W.I.S.H. also provides a platform through our podcast Mentor Talks: STEM Podcast! for individuals in STEM to share their work, passions, and personal journeys. Participating as a guest is a prerequisite for inclusion on our regularly scheduled speaker list or serving as a mentor to one of our graduating high school seniors.
Mentorship Program:
W.I.S.H. connects students with mentors in their areas of interest to help guide their early careers and inspire their academic and professional journeys in STEM.
Private Sector Basic and Translational Research Funding Program:
This initiative facilitates private sector engagement in STEM by enabling businesses to fund research grants. We offer businesses a streamlined process for creating and funding grants that support small businesses, startups, and researchers working on basic and translational technologies. W.I.S.H. ensures effective application development, evaluation, and success tracking.