U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and President Biden commemorated the signing of Executive Order 14214 on October 30, 2024, an initiative focused on enhancing educational equity and economic opportunity through support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). This event also featured the announcement of nearly $19 million in new research infrastructure grants directed toward five HSIs located in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Puerto Rico.
The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Research and Development Infrastructure Program (RDI), which is distributing a total of $49 million to bolster Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
Goals of the Initiative
Secretary Cardona indicated that the initiative aims to ensure that these diverse educational institutions play a pivotal role in research and development, which is essential for enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness. The RDI program seeks to increase investments in research infrastructure, thereby enhancing research productivity, faculty expertise, and graduate programs, as well as fostering collaborations that can lead to additional external funding.
Breakdown of Grants Awarded
A breakdown of the grants awarded is as follows:
State | Institution | Type of Institution | Funding Amount |
---|---|---|---|
District of Columbia | Howard University | HBCU | $5,000,000 |
Florida | Florida A&M University | HBCU | $4,999,041 |
Florida | Florida Atlantic University | HSI | $1,108,040 |
Georgia | Clark Atlanta University | HBCU | $4,579,383 |
Illinois | National Louis University | HSI | $3,073,812 |
Maryland | Morgan State University | HBCU | $5,000,000 |
Montana | Salish Kootenai College, Inc. | TCCU | $1,996,752 |
New Mexico | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development | TCCU | $2,000,000 |
North Carolina | North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University | HBCU | $5,000,000 |
North Dakota | Turtle Mountain Community College | TCCU | $1,922,389 |
Puerto Rico | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus | HSI | $5,000,000 |
Texas | Sam Houston State University | HSI | $4,990,476 |
Texas | Texas A&M University Corpus Christi | HSI | $4,730,107 |
Total | $49,400,000 |
These grants are intended to assist the recipient institutions in expanding their research operations, in alignment with Carnegie Classification designations, to promote advancements in educational quality and infrastructure. The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the importance of fostering equity in funding for institutions catering to diverse populations, reflecting the federal government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities nationwide.
Source: U.S. Department of Education.