The ELA4ATTRACT Project – Empower LA HE for Inclusion and STEM Attraction has been underway since January 2024 and aims to foster the sharing and implementation of best practices in attracting and retaining students in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In parallel, it seeks to promote increased participation of women in these areas.

Coordinated by the International Affairs Area of Técnico Lisboa, the project is co-funded by the European Union through Key Action 2 of the Erasmus+ Programme, under the Capacity Building in Higher Education initiative (KA2 – CBHE). The project involves 12 international partners: 8 higher education institutions from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 4 higher education institutions from Europe.

Officially launched at the inaugural meeting held in February 2024 in Bogotá, the collaboration between these institutions will last three years. During this period, an analysis will be conducted to understand the current situation and the institutional and national challenges related to attracting students to STEM fields, with a particular focus on the barriers faced by female students. In addition, tools and strategies will be developed to support significant improvements in this area.

The project’s outcomes will be made publicly available, aiming to expand its impact beyond the institutions directly involved and to reach other regions and organisations interested in these findings.

In addition to Técnico Lisboa, the consortium includes:

• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain);
• University of Stuttgart (Germany);
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden);
• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia);
• Universidad de los Andes (Colombia);
• Universidad de Chile (Chile);
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile);
• Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (Argentina);
• Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (Argentina);
• Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (Dominican Republic);
• Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).

To learn more about the project, visit the official webpage here.