The STEM Passport for Inclusion has been awarded the prestigious Global Community Award at the American Chamber of Commerce awards for its outstanding contributions to promoting gender equality, championing inclusion, reducing social disadvantage and enabling education attainment. The American Chamber of Commerce Business Awards honour those who strengthen US-Ireland ties through business, education, innovation, and culture, while championing sustainability, inclusion and community.
The programme, led by MU's Prof Katriona O’Sullivan in partnership with lead and founding partner Microsoft and its Dream Space STEM education team, was developed to address critical barriers to STEM education for young women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Funded by Microsoft, Research Ireland and the Department of Education, as well as other industry and education partners, STEM Passport creates an innovative pathway for students from under-served backgrounds to third level education by earning a Level 6 STEM qualification, work experience opportunities, and mentoring from inspiring industry role models.
Since the programme was launched in 2021, the initiative has engaged more than 5,000 female students from DEIS schools across all four provinces, providing them with the opportunity to receive a university-accredited Level 6 STEM qualification. 79% of these young women are now considering applying to study STEM at third level, while 76% are considering a career in STEM, according to findings from a 2024 STEM Passport for Inclusion Impact Report.
Speaking about the award, Katriona O’Sullivan, Professor at Maynooth University and STEM Passport for Inclusion lead, said: “This award is a powerful validation of the vision behind STEM Passport for Inclusion—to ensure every young woman, regardless of her background, has the opportunity to succeed in STEM. It shows what’s possible when academia, government, and industry come together to break down barriers. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with our partners, and I am excited for the next chapter of impact and inclusion.”
By aligning with both Ireland’s STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026 and the US Department of Education’s YOU Belong in STEM initiative, the programme demonstrates a shared transatlantic vision for equitable, high-quality STEM education. It has also been featured in three Irish policy documents and earned international recognition when Prof O’Sullivan presented the initiative at the United Nations Headquarters in January 2024.
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and CVP, Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: Building on its extensive track record of success, the programme will continue to expand its reach and impact over the next two years, with the aim of educating more than 5,000 students across Ireland and launch a new work experience opportunity for DEIS TY students.“At Microsoft, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone—regardless of their background—has the opportunity to engage with STEM and AI and build a future in the technology sector. Encouraging more young women to pursue STEM qualifications at third level is a vital step toward addressing inequalities and creating a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of talent. That’s why we’re proud to work with Maynooth University on the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme and unlock new opportunities for students who may not have traditionally considered a career in STEM.
“As we celebrate 40 years of Microsoft in Ireland this year, we’re incredibly proud that the programme has been recognised with the American Chamber Global Community Award for its positive impact in driving lasting change. We’re looking forward to our continued collaboration with MU and Prof Katriona O’Sullivan and building on this progress over the coming years as we expand the reach and impact of the initiative.”
The American Chamber of Commerce award recognises the STEM Passport for Inclusion as a model of cross-sector collaboration and an innovative example of how to foster a more inclusive STEM ecosystem.