Carnegie Mellon University Welcomes First Rales Fellows Cohort

Carnegie Mellon University has announced the inaugural cohort of the CMU Rales Fellows Program. The program, established in February 2023, is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of STEM leaders and increasing access to graduate education. It is made possible through a partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation.

The 2024 cohort comprises 22 fellows pursuing graduate degrees, and represents a total of 17 states, 18 undergraduate institutions and 17 academic programs.

“We are thrilled to welcome our accomplished and purpose-driven first cohort of STEM scholars to our campus,” said Moises Padilla, executive director of the CMU Rales Fellows Program. “The group shares a passion for progress, innovation and positive impact, and we look forward to supporting their education and empowering them to further develop into academic and industry leaders.”

The goal of the initiative is to create a pathway to advanced degrees and empower students from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds to pursue a leadership role in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

Josh Rales, president of the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation, expressed his excitement for the first cohort.

"I cannot wait to see the doors that open as a result of this exceptional group of STEM talent, and to watch their development into great leaders who drive industry breakthroughs and life-enhancing innovations," Rales said.

The program will provide fellows with holistic support and services. This includes faculty mentorship, professional development and networking opportunities with academic and industry leaders, personalized career coaching, a financial award that covers tuition, and a monthly stipend for living expenses.

“CMU emerged as the ideal educational partner with which to jointly envision and execute this bold concept, in honor of our parents, Norman and Ruth Rales,” Josh Rales added. “This program exemplifies their core values of integrity, determination, excellence and commitment to others. It is our hope that their legacy will live on through the work and accomplishments of the CMU Rales Fellows for many years to come.”

More than 120 CMU STEM graduate programs are eligible for the Rales Fellows Program within the College of Engineering, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mellon College of Science, and School of Computer Science, including 85 master’s degrees and 38 doctoral degrees.

“The United States faces a critical shortfall in students pursuing STEM degrees, impacting domestic economic growth and innovation,” said Amy Burkert, CMU's senior vice provost for academic initiatives. “The CMU Rales Fellows Program is designed to directly address this problem by supporting the fellows in taking their STEM impact and leadership to the next level while also building a lifelong community and professional network.”

Carnegie Mellon University’s leadership is proud to have the opportunity to bring the Rales’ Fellows talent to its graduate program.

Carnegie Mellon University announced the Rales Fellows Program in 2023. 

“Addressing the challenges of our modern world will require the concerted efforts of a highly talented pool of STEM trailblazers who can bring a diversity of ideas and experiences to the table,” said Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian. “The CMU Rales Fellows Program seeks to build this talent pool by removing barriers to opportunity and equipping generations of Americans to realize scientific and technological breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity.”

Jahanian expressed gratitude to the family for making the program possible. “Carnegie Mellon University is grateful to the Rales Foundation for their generous support and partnership, and we are honored to do our part to help advance the remarkable legacy of Norman and Ruth Rales,” he said.

The application for the 2025 Rales Fellows Program opens Sept. 1, 2024, and the priority review deadline is Dec. 15, 2024. Prospective scholars can learn more about the program(opens in new window) and register for upcoming information sessions.