It’s no secret that many HBCUs are facing a financial crisis and that the need for more funding and alumni support is imperative in helping many institutions stay afloat. But despite reports that focus on the lack of finances, 2014 is shaping up to be a good year for grant donations that help to stimulate and support innovative learning programs at HBCUs.
Whether the funds are used to help boost student interest in STEM-related studies or to help improve student employment programs, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 historically black colleges and universities who’ve received lucrative grants this year that will further the educational opportunities for its students.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University, in collaboration with the Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Research, has received a $10.2 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help with sickle cell disease research and to help improve the care and outcome for children affected.
In addition to receiving this five-year grant, DSU also received nearly $1.8 million in grant money from the USDA to help bolster biofuels production research and develop a more diverse food and nutritional sciences workforce, while also assisting underserved farmers find alternative specialty crops.
Howard University
Earlier this year, Howard University Hospital Center for Sickle Cell Disease received nearly $11 million in grant money from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support its research on HIV resistance in people with sickle cell disease and to support the development of a new Center for Hemoglobin Research in Minorities (CHaRM).
Hampton University
Hampton University was selected as one of 24 colleges to receive from the U.S. Department of Education to promote education in the fields of science, technology, math and engineering.
The grant, worth $3.5 million, is a part of Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s new initiative called “First in the World” program aimed at improving college affordability and student learning.
Savannah State University
In August of this year, Savannah State University announced its receipt of a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.
Partnering with Savannah Technical College and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, the five-year grant will recruit, mentor, educate and certify students to become qualified teachers in the field of STEM.
Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University was awarded a $1,351,400 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct research that helps to uncover a more effective way to treat lung, pancreatic, prostate and breast cancer.
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University received a $1,181,744 grant to help improve student education through undergraduate research efforts, and to help underrepresented students to attain leadership positions in cutting-edge scientific research.
Alabama State University
In August, Alabama State University announced the receipt of a more than $1 million grant in federal funding to help increase research opportunities for students in the field of STEM.
North Carolina Central University
In September, North Carolina Central University announced that their Juvenile Justice Institute was awarded an $897,840 grant to help reduce rates of alcohol, drug abuse and HIV transmission among 18 to 24 year olds.
Texas Southern University
Earlier this year, Texas Southern University
received a five-year, $800,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to establish related courses of study and support the development of early career, recruiting and mentoring opportunities for students.
Johnson C. Smith University
Earlier this year, Johnson C. Smith University received a $500,000 grant from Bank of America to help improve their student employment program.
The university also received a $96,665 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) to help launch an art exhibit that focuses on black philanthropy.