A $200,000 grant for Magic City Data Collective will continue to build a diverse pipeline between students with data analysis skillets and local private-sector job opportunities. The United States Economic Development Administration has awarded the University of Alabama at Birmingham a $219,000 grant to continue running and expanding Magic City Data Collective, a public-private partnership that connects uniquely qualified UAB students to paid data analysis internship opportunities with local employers.
The funding is part of the EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge, a national competition that supports programs to train and create a robust STEM-capable workforce in emerging and transformative sectors across the country and boost U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. Magic City Data Collective will run the program for two additional years and attract students from other institutions who are also seeking future employment in the field of data science. In turn, this will continue to build a diverse pipeline between talent and opportunities.
“This grant positions UAB to continue to experiment with new and innovative ways to build the future workforce,” said Emily Wykle, project manager of Magic City Data Collective and director of External Affairs in UAB’s Office of the President. “Our first cohort generated community solutions, corporate partnerships and jobs for our student fellows. The additional funding allows us to multiply that.”
Magic City Data Collective received matching support of $250,000, funded by UAB and local partners including the Birmingham Business Alliance and corporate sponsors including Prosper, Landing and Protective.
Magic City Data Collective’s pilot project was established in January 2021 and supported through a one-year grant from the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities.
Students interested in applying to MCDC or community partners looking to get involved may contact Emily Wykle at ewykle@uab.edu.