DoD AWARDS $8 MILLION IN INSTRUMENTATION GRANTS TO HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND MINORITY INSTITUTIONS

The Department of Defense today announced plans to award grants totalling some $8 million to 42 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) to enhance programs and capabilities at these institutions in scientific disciplines critical to the national security functions of the Department and to increase the number of underrepresented minority graduates in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics.

These were competitively selected from 120 proposals submitted to the Army Research Office in response to a solicitation in August 1996. Defense agencies participating in the program include the Army Research Office, the Office of Naval Research, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Awards ranging from $45,000 to $400,000 will provide for the acquisition of science and technology equipment and instrumentation for educational and research program enhancements. Awards will be made only after written agreements have been reached between the Department and the institutions. A list of recipients is attached.