Arlington, VA – Today, the Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), announced awards to 70 minority-serving institutions totaling $30.4 million as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2021 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MSI) Research and Education Program. Awards ranging up to $600,000 will support the acquisition of equipment at 32 HBCUs, 37 MSIs, and one tribal college. The awards are the result of a merit competition administered by the Army Research Office (ARO) 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. All awards have been made by the ARO.
The acquisition of equipment enhances the institutions’ ability to conduct research aligned with DoD priorities and strengthens their infrastructure in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Assistance grants support the goals of the DoD HBCU/MSI program to: enhance research programs and capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the national security functions of DoD; enhance the capacity of HBCUs/MSIs to participate in DoD research programs and activities; and increase the number of graduates, including underrepresented minorities, in fields of STEM important to the defense mission.
The Director of OUSD(R&E)’s HBCU/MSI Program and Outreach, Ms. Evelyn Kent, noted, “Equipment grants provide universities the resources necessary to conduct transformative research in support of the Department’s science and technology priorities while strengthening their research and education programs. These enhancements enable universities to improve their current research capabilities and establish new competencies that are consistent with the Program’s goals.”
The FY 2021 funding opportunity announcement received 183 eligible proposals with combined requested funding totaling $79.4 million. Applications were evaluated by the three Military Service research offices and the most meritorious were selected for awards. Click the button for the list of awardees.
For more information on OUSD(R&E)’s HBCU/MSI Program, click here to visit our Basic Research Office website.
