Press Release: Audit of Actions to Increase Diversity in DoD Funded Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Programs (Report No. DODIG 2025 043)

The objective of this audit was to determine whether the DoD Components implemented actions designed to increase the diversity of the postsecondary, DoD-funded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs and the DoD's applicant pool for STEM positions and whether the DoD tracked and measured the performance of these actions.

In July 2021, the DoD published the DoD STEM Strategic Plan with the mission to "inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional STEM talent through a continuum of opportunities to enrich our current and future DoD workforce poised to tackle evolving defense technological challenges." In alignment with the Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan, one of the goals of the DoD STEM Strategic Plan is to increase participation of underserved and underrepresented groups in education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach.

The DoD Components implemented 18 actions to increase the diversity of the STEM Program applicant pool of the six DoD STEM education programs included in our review. However, the DoD Components could not determine the effectiveness of these actions.