kids in the woods

Our Mission

Indiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) has two main goals. The first goal is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Secondly, we conduct research to better understand student STEM learning, persistence, and entry into postsecondary study and careers. Indiana GEAR UP is a seven-year, 24.5-million-dollar project funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Indiana GEAR UP is led by a collaborative team of staff from Purdue University and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Together, we work with students beginning in seventh grade at our 9 partner school corporations and associated schools.