On July 31, at the United Negro College Fund’s UNITE 2024 Summit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan unveiled new initiatives aimed at enhancing engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These actions include a $2.5 million competitive grant opportunity, the appointment of a permanent HBCU Outreach and Engagement Liaison within the Administrator’s Office, and the establishment of EPA’s first-ever HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council.
“HBCUs produce some of the best and brightest minds our country has to offer,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “At every level of this Administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, HBCU graduates are delivering real results, and we’re more committed than ever to partnering and empowering HBCU students and leaders across the country. At EPA, HBCUs have a permanent seat at our table so that these institutions remain at the forefront of the environmental movement.”
The $2.5 million competitive grant opportunity aims to support collaboration among students and faculty from HBCUs by funding projects focused on workforce development, environmental education, capacity building, environmental justice, climate change, water quality, and land health. A Notice of Funding Opportunity for this grant is expected in early October.
The newly appointed permanent HBCU Outreach and Engagement Liaison will advise on initiatives related to HBCUs while ensuring these institutions are informed about EPA resources and funding opportunities. This role will also facilitate coordination within EPA by maintaining a resource repository for internal and external stakeholders.
Additionally, EPA will announce the inaugural members of its first-ever HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council by Fall 2024. The council will provide strategic advice on leveraging expertise within HBCU-MSIs to advance EPA's mission while offering independent recommendations on enhancing participation in federal programs and diversifying EPA’s workforce.
HBCUs play a significant role in producing influential leaders who address environmental challenges in their communities. The latest actions build upon previous engagements with these institutions through roundtables and dialogues that highlighted their critical role.
During Administrator Regan’s Journey to Justice Tour, leaders from Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Texas Southern University emphasized the need for increased opportunities for students to gain environmental field experience as well as more federal funding for addressing environmental challenges in vulnerable communities.
In 2022, an internal advisory council was established by EPA to strengthen relationships with HBCUs by identifying enhanced opportunities for student recruitment through grants, contracts, transparent data sharing, and community engagement.
For additional information on this grant opportunity and related project areas, visit EPA’s HBCU Engagement webpage.
