Sara Branco (Assistant Professor, Integrative Biology) received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) to support SPORES, a mentorship program for underrepresented undergraduate students. This project is a collaboration with Clark University, Purdue University, and the Mycological Society of America (MSA) and matches students with mentors with the goals of providing skills, training, and mentorship to underrepresented scientists, empowering and supporting their career advancement, and contributing to their retention in the field of Mycology. The funds will support over 20 undergraduate students and 12 mentors to participate in the SPORES program during the 2024 MSA meeting in Markham, Canada.