Senator Raphael Warnock has announced $97.1 million in federal grants to support STEM research at 10 historically Black colleges and universities.
The investment will expand laboratory infrastructure, fund faculty-led research, and support scholarships to help build a pipeline of Black scientists and engineers.
The funding, awarded through the Department of Defense’s HBCU/MSI Research and Education Program, is intended to help these institutions work toward Research One (R1) status, the highest research activity classification in the U.S.
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HBCUs are Stewards of Academic Excellence and Innovation
Warnock, a Georgia Democrat who became the state’s first Black U.S. senator in 2021, has secured more than $17 billion for HBCU campuses nationwide, including nearly $275 million for HBCUs in Georgia.
“For too long, HBCUs have gone unrecognized for their contributions to our nation’s leading STEM industry,” said Senator Warnock. “These institutions serve as stewards of academic excellence and innovation, and this federal investment specifically in STEM programs honors that legacy of greatness and expands opportunity for the next generation of scientists.”
The investment comes amid ongoing concerns about funding disparities affecting historically Black institutions. Federal research funding can help universities expand laboratory infrastructure, attract researchers, and strengthen academic programs.
The announcement also builds on Warnock’s efforts to increase federal research opportunities for HBCUs. In March, the Morehouse College graduate joined Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt to introduce the bipartisan HBCU Research Capacity Act. The proposed legislation would create a centralized federal website to help HBCUs find available STEM research grants and development funding.
The newly allocated funding is expected to help selected universities strengthen their research capabilities and improve their competitiveness for additional federal grants. It will also prepare more students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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Senator Raphael Warnock’s Funding Track Record for HBCUs
Senator Warnock has secured more than $17 billion for HBCU campuses nationwide, including nearly $275 million for HBCUs in Georgia. Several institutions received federal grant funding. Clark Atlanta University received more than $9.7 million, while Delaware State University and the University of the District of Columbia each received nearly $10 million.
Florida A&M University, Morgan State University, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University each received $10 million. Fayetteville State University received about $9.9 million, Prairie View A&M University received about $9.8 million, and Texas Southern University received nearly $10 million. Jackson State University received over $7.5 million.
In March, Senator Warnock welcomed more than thirty HBCU presidents to the United States Capitol for an event highlighting his landmark legislation introduced alongside Senator Katie Britt of Alabama.
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As an HBCU graduate who has experienced the value of quality education firsthand, Senator Warnock has consistently underscored the need to fund these institutions adequately.
