Barbados and Caribbean Science Foundation launch major partnership to advance STEM

Barbados has embarked on a transformative scientific partnership that promises to reshape the Caribbean’s technological landscape. The nation’s Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology (MIST) has entered into a groundbreaking collaboration with the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), establishing a comprehensive framework for regional STEM advancement.

Spearheading this initiative is Professor Cardinal Warde, the CSF’s Executive Director and MIT electrical engineering professor of Barbadian heritage. The partnership will introduce two landmark programs: a region-wide Caribbean STEM Olympiad for secondary students and the inaugural Caribbean SEED Summit scheduled for June 26-28, 2026.

The SEED Summit (STEM Engine for Economic Development) will convene Caribbean innovators, diaspora experts, and global thought leaders for three days of intensive collaboration. The event will feature a STEM Startup Challenge connecting entrepreneurs with funding opportunities, visionary keynote addresses, and cutting-edge research presentations spanning climate resilience, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, and educational reform.

Minister of Innovation Senator Jonathan Reid emphasized the strategic alignment between CSF’s ‘Science and Engineering for Economic Development’ approach and Barbados’ economic transformation agenda. “This partnership positions Barbados at the forefront of regional innovation-driven growth,” stated Minister Reid. “The SEED Summit represents a pivotal milestone in accelerating our national STEM strategy.”

Beyond the summit, the collaboration will implement comprehensive educational reforms enhancing teacher training and curriculum development. Professor Warde highlighted Barbados’ emerging role as a Caribbean STEM catalyst: “We’re bringing decades of expertise to work hand-in-hand with government and young innovators to build a future grounded in science and driven by imagination.”

The initiative supports Barbados’ broader digital development and reindustrialization goals, aiming to create attractive opportunities for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and global businesses. Minister Reid noted CSF’s proven track record in developing Caribbean talent for world-leading universities, stating the partnership would “leverage global scientific networks aligned with national priorities for sustainable growth and competitiveness.”

This strategic alliance represents a significant step in Barbados’ mission to become a hub for high-skilled global talent, encouraging diaspora professionals to return while transforming the nation into a regional innovation powerhouse.