Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.) introduced legislation last week that, if passed, would offer historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) access to millions of dollars in competitive grants.
"HBCUs provide opportunities for many low-income, first generation and often minority students to get a quality education," Adams explained in a press release. "However, they have been historically underfunded and lack many of the resources needed to address some of their most extreme challenges."
The HBCU Innovation Fund Act seeks to create a fund with $250 million in competitive grants that would assist HBCUs with planning and implementing programs "that improve student achievement, increase recruitment, increase graduation rates and increase enrollment and completion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees."
Adams’ legislation comes alongside reports, like this Newsweek one from last year, of HBCUs’ struggles in the face of fundraising difficulties and changes to federal loan programs.
The Congresswoman, who co-chairs the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus, received her own bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Greensboro-based HBCU North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.