The goal of NNSA's grant program is to increase the number of minority students pursuing science and technology careers. The grants will help NNSA to establish a partnership with the next generation of creative and committed leaders who will assist NNSA in meeting its national security demands. The grants will also help to attract minority graduates for employment within NNSA.

"In order for America to remain competitive in the world, we need to continue providing the best training for our students in the science and technology fields. The support from these grants will allow minority institutions to train our future scientists, engineers and leaders," said NNSA Administrator Linton F. Brooks.

NNSA's Office of Diversity and Outreach facilitates the development and general oversight of the grant program. The office also assists with coordination between NNSA's program offices and the institutions on execution and management of the technical aspects of the program.

NNSA has awarded $15,150,000 in awards to the following colleges and universities:

Allen University (South Carolina)                                        $4,000,000
Create Science Research Infrastructure for Allen University to Promote and Implement NNSA Science Research Initiatives with High School and Undergraduate Students

Central State University (Ohio)                                            $2,000,000
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Upgrade/Enhancement and Outreach, Phase II

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania)           $500,000
Cheyney University Curriculum and Infrastructure Enhancement in STEM (CUCIES)

Claflin College (South Carolina)                                          $2,000,000
Program for the Preparation of a Technologically Literate Science Workforce to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century

Florida Memorial University (Florida)                                  $1,000,000
Developing an Undergraduate Research and Training Program in Radiochemistry

Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)                                       $500,000
Characterization of Piezoelectric and Other Materials

Maricopa County Community College District (Arizona)      $1,000,000
Achieving a College Education (ACE) Program

South Carolina State University (South Carolina)                $1,000,000
Enhancement of Research, Environmental Management, and Science Curriculum

Voorhees College (South Carolina)                                     $1,000,000
Lighting the Way Part II: Securing Our Future

Wilberforce University (Ohio)                                              $2,000,000
Integrating Normal Networks, Expert Systems, and the Next Generation RFID Technology within the Advance Simulation and Computing Domain

Universidad del Turabo (Puerto Rico)*                                $150,000
Synthesis and Characterization of Low Refractive Index Aerogel Silica for Cherenkov Project
* This grant was awarded through the Dr. Samuel P. Massie Chairs of Excellence

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.