National Science and Technology Medals Foundation

What National Science and Technology Medals Foundation does

National Science and Technology Medals Foundation (NSTMF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1990 by Dr. George B. Rathmann, founding CEO and Chairman of Amgen, headquartered in Washington, DC. The organization serves as the principal partner of the Office of the President of the United States for honoring and celebrating recipients of the National Medal of Science (NMS) and National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) — a population of 779 recognized Laureates. Its mission is to build inclusive STEM communities by connecting these Laureates and other STEM professionals with undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. NSTMF operates with a small core team (3 listed staff) and is governed by a Board of Directors that includes emeritus members such as Gordon E. Moore.

NSTMF's flagship offering is the inSTEM program, a four-year auxiliary support network for underrepresented undergraduate STEM students. The program is delivered through institutional partnerships at three host universities — Howard University (since 2020), University of Texas at Arlington (since 2021), and California State University East Bay (since 2023) — and serves a total of 159 scholars with a network of 71 STEM professional mentors and 42 alumni. The curriculum follows four themed year stages (CORE, THRIVE, RISE, SOAR), with students receiving $300-$500 per semester stipends and a Scholar Success Kit. NSTMF also operates the NSTMF Lab (lab.nationalmedals.org), a digital platform offering three interactive scientific simulations (Gravity, Sound, Image Processing) that translate Laureates' breakthroughs into hands-on experiences. Auxiliary products include the inSTEM Virtual video library, the annual inSTEM Summit (163 participants in 2025), and the Laureate Celebration Gala (186 guests in 2025).

NSTMF's business model is donation-based. Revenue streams include individual donations, corporate sponsorship (with named major sponsors including Google, Meta, Amgen, Samsung, Syngenta, Northrop Grumman, Nokia Bell Labs, Pfizer, MIT, USC, UF, and University of Pittsburgh), foundation grants (notably the Rathmann Family Foundation), and employer matching programs through Benevity and YourCause. Annual programmatic cost runs approximately $100,000 per 15-scholar cohort. The foundation does not offer fee-based products or APIs and is not a venture-backed entity.

Name

National Science and Technology Medals Foundation

Legal name

National Science & Technology Medals Foundation

Website

https://nationalmedals.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NSTMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that connects the 779 National Medal of Science and Technology Laureates with underrepresented undergraduate STEM students through its inSTEM mentorship program, delivered at three U.S. universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Mentorship Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Undergraduate mentorship network
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Science recognition events
• Interactive science simulations

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals. Accepts credit/debit, PayPal, check, e-check, wire, stock, and donor-advised fund. EIN: 52-1703587.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Support from corporations including unrestricted operating support, program-restricted funding, and event sponsorship. Major sponsors include Google, Amgen, Meta, Samsung, Syngenta, Northrop Grumman, and others.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including Rathmann Family Foundation. In-kind donations of equipment and materials also accepted.
4. Employer Matching: Corporate matching gift programs through Benevity and YourCause platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NSTMF operates the inSTEM mentorship program, a four-year structured support network for undergraduate STEM students from underrepresented communities hosted at Howard University, University of Texas at Arlington, and California State University East Bay. The foundation also recognizes National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates through annual events and offers three interactive web-based scientific simulations (Gravity, Sound, Image Processing labs) via its NSTMF Lab platform.

Product overview

The National Science and Technology Medals Foundation (NSTMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates programs to build inclusive STEM communities. The Foundation's primary offerings are the inSTEM mentorship ecosystem and The Lab. The inSTEM ecosystem includes a four-year mentorship curriculum (CORE, THRIVE, RISE, SOAR), a video library (inSTEM Virtual), annual summits, and the Laureate Celebration Gala. The Lab provides three interactive scientific simulations (Gravity, Sound, Image Processing). The Foundation also facilitates donations and corporate partnerships. The organization does not offer commercial software products or APIs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• inSTEM: An auxiliary support network for undergraduate STEM students that offers mentorship, professional development, and community building to help students succeed in their academic careers and post-graduation opportunities.
• inSTEM Summit
• NSTMF Lab

Products and services

• inSTEM Mentorship Program A four-year structured mentorship and support program (CORE, THRIVE, RISE, SOAR themes) for undergraduate STEM students from underrepresented communities, providing mentors, professional development, community building, and academic support at Howard University, UT Arlington, and CSU East Bay.
• NSTMF Lab (Interactive Simulations) Three interactive web-based scientific simulations (Gravity, Sound, and Image Processing labs) that translate complex scientific concepts into hands-on digital experiences, honoring breakthroughs of National Medal Laureates.
• Laureate Celebration Gala Annual event honoring National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureates, featuring recognition ceremonies and networking with sponsors, Laureates, and STEM community members.
• inSTEM Summit Biennial summit bringing together inSTEM scholars, alumni, mentors, coaches, and STEM experts for panels, workshops, networking, and professional development opportunities.
• inSTEM Virtual Video Library Online video library of expert advice featuring topics including Academia, Career, Community, Wellness, and professional skills such as networking, negotiation, and leadership.
• Expert Connect Network A network of 71 STEM experts including National Medal Laureates who volunteer to mentor and inspire inSTEM scholars through workshops, panel discussions, and one-on-one guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 226 college students reached since founding in 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Cato T. Laurencin InstituteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2025Internship partner providing exceptional internship experiences to inSTEM Scholars. Supports goal of paid internships that don't require students to spend money out of pocket.
• GooglemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Google logo displayed among major sponsors supporting NSTMF's mission to build inclusive STEM communities.
• MetamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Meta logo displayed among major corporate sponsors supporting NSTMF events.
• SyngentamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Agricultural biotechnology company supporting STEM recognition events.
• AmgenmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Major biotech company with long-standing support for NSTMF programs and inSTEM.
• SamsungmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Technology company supporting STEM innovation recognition.
• Northrop GrummanmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Defense and aerospace technology company supporting national STEM honors.
• National Science Foundation (NSF)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Federal science agency that is a natural partner for NSTMF's mission.
• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala and inSTEM Summit. USPTO staff serve as inSTEM mentors. Deep partnership connecting innovation ecosystem with STEM students.
• MITmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. MIT's School of Engineering represented among sponsors.
• University of Southern CaliforniamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Research university supporting national STEM recognition.
• University of FloridamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Research university supporting STEM honors.
• University of PittsburghmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Research university supporting STEM recognition.
• Nokia Bell LabsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 January 2024Sponsor of 2024 Laureate Celebration Gala. Historical recipient of National Medal of Technology supporting recognition of innovation.
• Howard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Institutional host for inSTEM program. Houses program within Office of Research. 60 scholars enrolled. Year started: 2020.
• HLUCEminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2023Sponsor of inSTEM Summit 2023. Supporting organization for NSTMF's annual summit event.
• California State University East BaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Institutional host for inSTEM program. Part of Institute for STEM Education's Career Awareness and Preparation program. 18 scholars enrolled. Year started: 2023.
• University of Texas at ArlingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2022Institutional host for inSTEM program. Houses program within Office of Undergraduate Research. 81 scholars enrolled. Year started: 2021.
• SAILminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2017Internship partner providing paid internship opportunities to inSTEM scholars. Part of efforts to ensure no student has to choose between improving their academic standing and sustaining their lives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Code.org: Major nonprofit expanding access to computer science education through K-12 curriculum, teacher training, and diversity initiatives. Comparable as a STEM education nonprofit with corporate sponsors, but operates at much larger scale and broader audience than NSTMF.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): Largest general scientific society advancing science policy, education, and recognition, including the AAAS Fellowship. Comparable to NSTMF as a science recognition and STEM advocacy organization, but with a much broader mandate.

Direct peers

• Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): National nonprofit advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM through mentorship, conferences, and student chapters. Closely comparable to NSTMF in mission, scholar network, and mentor-driven programming.
• Black Girls Code: Nonprofit providing Black girls and other underrepresented youth with STEM/tech education and mentorship. Comparable in mission focus on STEM diversity, mentor network, and corporate sponsor support.
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): Student-governed nonprofit serving Black engineers and STEM students with scholarships, chapters, and career programming. Comparable in target population, undergraduate focus, and corporate sponsorship base.
• Million Women Mentors: National initiative mobilizing mentors to support girls and women in STEM careers. Closely comparable in mentor-driven model targeting underrepresented groups in STEM.
• SMASH (Summer Math and Science Honors) Academy: Nonprofit operating STEM college prep and mentorship programs at partner universities for underrepresented students. Comparable in cohort-based model, university partnerships, and scholar support.
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): Major nonprofit supporting women in engineering and STEM through scholarships, awards, and professional development. Comparable in scholar cohort support, corporate sponsorship, and STEM diversity mission.
• National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME): Long-standing nonprofit focused on increasing representation of underrepresented minorities in STEM engineering fields through scholarships and university partnerships. Directly comparable to NSTMF's inSTEM mission, cohort-based scholar support, and corporate/foundation funding model.
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): National nonprofit supporting Indigenous students in STEM via scholarships, mentorship, and professional development. Directly comparable to NSTMF's cohort and mentor model for underrepresented undergraduates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nstmf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NationalMedals
• Facebookfacebook.com/NSTMF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-science-and-technology-medals-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nstmf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Science and Technology Medals Foundation