WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) and Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04)  announced the award of $30.4 million total to 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) minority-serving institutions (MSIs) as part of the (FY) 2021 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MSI) Research and Education Program. Awards range up to $600,000 and will support the acquisition of equipment at 32 HBCUs, 37 MSIs and one tribal college.

“HBCUs produce 37 percent of African American officers commissioned through ROTC, and 25 percent of the African Americans with STEM degrees. Supporting funding for and fostering research at these institutions is critical to protecting our country and advancing scientific discovery,” said Congressman Brown. “We have more work to do to ensure a diverse and inclusive defense industrial base and I look forward to advancing more legislation to ensure that promise.”

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities are among some of our nation’s top research institutions and play a crucial role in expanding research opportunities to minority communities. As a long-time advocate for strengthening federal research partnerships with HBCUs, I’m grateful that the Department of Defense has fulfilled our request to fund the DOD’s HBCU/MSI Research and Education Program. This $30 million award will help fund the purchase of research equipment at over 30 HBCU’s across the country, including Central State University in Ohio’s 10th Congressional District,” said Congressman Turner. “As a Vice-Chair of the House HBCU Caucus, I will continue working so that HBCUs have the resources they need to serve our communities and our nation.”

Reps. Brown, Turner and Alma Adams (NC-12) previously passed The HOMECOMING Research Act into law in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to identify ways to increase research opportunities for minority universities in the Department of Defense. The national study required by this law to review defense research conducted by HBCUs, provide recommendations for increasing capacity, and address disparities in funding to these institutions is currently underway and expected to complete in December 2021.

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