Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
The Department of Defense has announced research equipment grants totaling $50.1 million to 98 university researchers at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MIs). These grants, each up to $800,000, will benefit 21 HBCUs and 49 MIs, including one tribal college, across 26 states and the District of Columbia.
This initiative is part of the DoD HBCU/MI Research and Education Program's ongoing support for transformative research in key defense technology areas. Mrs. Evelyn Kent, director of the DoD HBCU/MI Program and Outreach, emphasized the importance of these investments: "Investing in the research and development capacity of our academic partners remains a top priority for the Department of Defense." She added that equipping universities with relevant instrumentation is crucial for advancing novel research aligned with defense science priorities while fostering innovation.
The selection process was merit-based, managed by the Army Research Office under guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The department chose 98 winners from 152 proposals requesting a total of $82 million in funding. Evaluations were conducted by the Army Research Office, the Office of Naval Research, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
The Department regards its relationship with HBCUs and MIs as strategic assets for advancing fundamental science and building a strong STEM talent pool—essential for maintaining technological advantages globally.
