Cape Fear Community College students enrolled in its chemical technology program will get a chance to intern at Quality Chemical Laboratories, one of many opportunities made possible with a national grant.

CFCC recently announced the chemical technology program received a $470,415 grant from the National Science Foundation.

"We are honored to begin our third National Science Foundation grant within the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program,” CFCC Chemical Technology Program Director Tracy Holbrook said in a news release. “Staying true to the mission of the college, this grant project will synergistically involve high school students, K-12 STEM educators, current and future Chemical Technology students, and local employers to increase the awareness of CFCC's Chemical Technology program and career options in the field.”

“The grant will also support recruitment efforts within the program, improve pathways for employment or university transfer after graduation, and showcase the immense academic depth that the Chemical Technology program offers in the laboratory sciences,” Holbrook said in the release.

Eight CFCC students, each fall and spring semester, will be chosen to intern at Quality Chemical Laboratories (QCL), according to the release.

“We are happy to partner with CFCC so we can provide an excellent educational and training opportunity that will better prepare students to join the workforce and have successful careers,” said Yousry Sayed, QCL founder, president and CEO, in the release.

The students typically begin their internship during their second year of studies in the program.

The grant will also support the creation of a C-TECH Academy, which will provide stipends to local STEM educators to participate in a weeklong summer event that will include laboratory training in fields of forensics, pharmaceutical, environmental, cosmetics and food chemistry, stated the release.

"This grant will help our students get real, hands-on training locally," said CFCC President Jim Morton in the release. "In addition, local STEM teachers will benefit. It is a terrific investment in our students, teachers and local industry. We are incredibly grateful to have been selected for this grant award."