UNCF Applauds House Passage of Increased Fed Investment in HBCU National Security R&D Program

UNCF Provided Roadmap for $40 Million Investment 

UNCF applauds the strong leadership of Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), members of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus, who teamed together to secure $40 million for a critical HBCU national security research and development initiative, as recommended by UNCF.

In a successful two-step process, the trio of legislators secured approval by the House of Representatives of their floor amendments increasing the authorization and appropriation for the HBCU/Minority Institutions Program (HBCU/MI) from $36 million to $40 million in the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the FY18 Make America Strong Appropriations Act. The House of Representatives passed the NDAA on July 14, 2017, and the defense appropriations measure on July 27, 2017, with strong bipartisan votes. Senate action on both measures is pending.

The HBCU/MI program helps to bolster the nation’s national security by tapping the scientific and technological talent on HBCU campuses to address critical national security needs. Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF commented, “This investment will continue and grow an essential partnership between HBCUs and our military scientific laboratories, and make America’s national defense stronger. UNCF urges the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees to match the House recommendations.”

In March 2018, UNCF sent a letter to the Honorable Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget recommending the $40 million federal investment in the HBCU/MI program—more than one-third of HBCUs participate in the research and development program.

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About UNCF
UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCF.