ARCS Foundation Orange County (ARCS OC) chapter is proud to announce that it is has been selected as one of five ARCS chapters that will receive a prestigious grant from the Danaher Foundation to support student researchers in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEM/M) in Southern California. The $100,000 grant establishes the Danaher National Impact Award and will be split between the ARCS OC and chapters representing Metro Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, and Northern California. Altogether, the Danaher Foundation National Impact Award will support a total of 13 scholars within these five regions for the fiscal year of 2023 - 2024.

The Danaher Foundation is a global family of science and technology companies that collectively drive scientific innovation forward. A long-time collaborator with the Metro Washington chapter of ARCS, the Danaher Foundation has supported one scholar annually since 2015. With this year’s establishment of the Danaher National Impact Award, the Danaher Foundation intends to make an even broader impact to create positive and persistent change in the STEM/M workforce across the country through a targeted approach to community investment in programs that together demonstrate a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; advancing science; and protecting the environment.

“We are delighted to be one of the ARCS chapters selected to receive the inaugural Danaher National Impact Award,” says Stephanie Beckman, current president of ARCS OC. “Since our chapter’s founding in 1999 with Pat Beckman at the helm, ARCS OC has raised over $2.8 million to provide more than 350 Scholar awards. Orange County, where Danaher has a significant presence, is a vibrant hub for scientific, engineering and tech innovation. Through this new partnership between ARCS OC and the Danaher Foundation, we will be able to support more graduate research Scholars at UCI whose discoveries promise to improve society and the planet.”

“This is very exciting for ARCS Foundation and ARCS Chapters,” says ARCS National President Caron Ogg. “ARCS, together with Danaher, is committed to building a diverse, STEM-ready workforce that focuses on improving a system of access and support for underrepresented students and professionals to excel in STEM education and careers.”

“We hope this will open the door to a continuing partnership with Danaher,” says Ogg.