New funding has been awarded to HBCUs to support the next generation of scientists.
In a press release, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a Morehouse College alumnus, announced that 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) will receive federal funds totaling $97.1 million to advance science, technology, engineering, and math STEM.
Secured through the Department of Defense’s HBCU/MSI program, the funding will support the universities, all of which are actively pursuing R1 status, “the highest classification awarded to research universities in the United States,” according to American University’s Kogod School of Business. Only Howard University has received the distinction, The Washington Post reports.
The following universities will be awarded: Clark Atlanta University ($9.78 million); Delaware State University ($10 million); University of the District of Columbia ($9.98 million); Florida A&M University ($10 million); Morgan State University ($10 million); Jackson State University ($7.57 million); Fayetteville State University ($9.90 million); North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ($10 million); Prairie View A&M University ($9.86 million); and Texas Southern University ($10 million).
“For too long, HBCUs have gone unrecognized for their contributions to our nation’s leading STEM industry,” Warnock said in the press release. “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.”
Since he started his term in 2022, Warnock has helped HBCUs in the U.S. receive $17 billion in funding, with nearly $275 million allocated to those universities in Georgia.
HBCU Research Capacity Act
Warnock’s additional efforts include the bipartisan HBCU Research Capacity Act, which was introduced March 24, 2026, alongside Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) in the presence of more than 30 HBCU presidents, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. It would support a federally coordinated website to make STEM research and development funding opportunities more accessible to HBCUs.
“Despite not always having every tool at their disposal, HBCUs continue to make massive contributions to the research and development community,” Warnock said at the time. “This bipartisan bill will make securing federal dollars for their research efforts that much easier, and I am proud to work alongside another champion of HBCUs in Senator Katie Britt.”