The Department of Defense has awarded $23.2 million to 59 minority-serving institutions as part of the fiscal year 2019 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions Research and Education Program. The awards range from $122,786 to $600,000 and support the acquisition of research equipment at 24 HBCUs, 34 MSIs and one Tribal College.
The DoD HBCU/MSI program enhances work in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the national security functions of DoD, improves the capacity of HBCUs/MSIs to participate in DoD research programs and activities and increases the number of graduates, including underrepresented minorities, in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics important to the defense mission.
"Equipment awards are crucial to increasing foundational research in support of the Department's science and technology priorities and expanding university education programs," said Mrs. Evelyn Kent, director of the DoD HBCU/MSI Program and Outreach. "Alongside augmenting university research capabilities, these enhancements are designed to support students conducting research at their home institutions and further encourage them to pursue careers in STEM."
The announcement is the result of a merit competition administered by the Army Research Office under policy and guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering with participation from the Office of Naval Research and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. ARO will make the awards.
The 2019 funding opportunity announcement received 175 eligible proposals with combined requested funding totaling $71.6 million. Applications were evaluated by the three military service research offices. All awards are subject to the successful completion of negotiations between DoD and the academic institutions.
Click here for the list of awardees.