Breaking News
Howard University Receives $89M Federal HBCU Capital Grant — Largest in Program History
By Marcus Johnson · June 12, 2025
Breaking
Spelman College Named #1 HBCU for 2025 by U.S. News · 2h ago | FAMU Launches $5M Cybersecurity Research Center with DOD Funding · 4h ago | Biden Administration Cancels $3.4B in HBCU Debt Relief · 6h ago | Grambling State Marching Band Invited to Rose Bowl 2026 · 8h ago | Morgan State University Breaks Ground on New STEM Building · 10h ago | HBCU Enrollment Hits Record 330,000 Students Nationwide · 12h ago
National HBCU News
Latest News & Updates
Federal Funding
Congress Allocates $4.2 Billion in New HBCU Infrastructure Funding.
The bipartisan bill passed with strong support, directing funds to 30 institutions for new STEM labs, dormitories, and broadband infrastructure upgrades.
By Angela Davis · June 11, 2025
Policy
New Federal Policy Expands HBCU Eligibility for Research Grants.
The updated framework removes prior barriers, opening $800M in NIH and NSF grant pools to historically underfunded HBCU research programs.
By Darnell Williams · June 10, 2025
Advocacy
HBCU Presidents Coalition Demands Equity in Federal Contracting.
A coalition of 40 HBCU presidents submitted a formal letter to the White House calling for parity in federal research and procurement contracts.
By Simone Carter · June 9, 2025
Enrollment
HBCU Enrollment Surges to Record 330,000 — Up 18% in Five Years.
New NCES data confirms the largest five-year enrollment growth in HBCU history, driven by increased scholarships, social media visibility, and returning adult learners.
By Kevin Mitchell · June 8, 2025
STEM
NSF Awards $120M HBCU STEM Partnership Grant to 15 Institutions.
The National Science Foundation's largest-ever HBCU award will fund research fellowships, equipment upgrades, and industry partnerships at 15 campuses.
By Tamara Hughes · June 7, 2025
Institutional
Three HBCUs Achieve R2 Carnegie Research Classification.
Howard, Morehouse, and Jackson State have all earned elevated Carnegie research designations, positioning them as major national research universities.
By Robert Lee · June 6, 2025
Policy & Funding
Education Policy & HBCU Funding News
Federal Budget
Pell Grant Maximum Award Raised to $8,000 — HBCU Students to Benefit Most
The congressional budget agreement raises the maximum Pell Grant award for the first time in a decade. HBCU students, who rely on Pell at disproportionately higher rates, stand to gain the most from this historic increase.
By Lisa Monroe · June 10, 2025
HBCU Capital Financing
HBCU Capital Financing Program Approves $340M in New Construction Loans
June 9, 2025
Congress
Senate HELP Committee Passes HBCU Equity Act with Bipartisan Support
June 8, 2025
Accreditation
Dept. of Education Streamlines Accreditation Process for HBCU Graduate Programs
June 7, 2025
Pell Grants
New Pell Rules Expand Aid to Part-Time HBCU Students
Biden Executive Order
White House Issues EO Strengthening HBCU Federal Agency Partnerships
HBCU Funding Gap
Report: HBCUs Receive 30% Less State Funding Per Student Than PWIs
Campus Updates
News From Campuses Across the Nation
Spelman College
Spelman Breaks Ground on $45M Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The new facility will house startup incubators, maker spaces, and a venture capital pitch lab for students.
June 11, 2025
Howard University
Howard Names Dr. Keisha Lawson as New Provost and Chief Academic Officer.
Dr. Lawson joins Howard from Yale, bringing 20 years of experience in higher education leadership and curriculum reform.
June 10, 2025
FAMU
FAMU's School of Pharmacy Ranked #1 Among HBCU Pharmacy Programs.
The national ranking cites FAMU's 98% licensure pass rate and robust community health outreach partnerships.
June 9, 2025
Morehouse College
Morehouse Receives $25M Gift from Robert F. Smith to Endow STEM Professorships.
The gift will fund five endowed chairs in computer science, biology, mathematics, physics, and environmental science.
June 8, 2025
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee's College of Engineering Launches NASA-Funded Aerospace Research Lab.
The $12M partnership will train the next generation of Black aerospace engineers through hands-on satellite research.
June 7, 2025
Grambling State
Grambling State Announces $30M Campus Modernization Plan Including New Dorms and Dining Hall.
The plan addresses decades of deferred maintenance and adds 600 new student housing beds.
June 6, 2025
Student Success
Brilliance in Action — HBCU Student Stories
Featured Student
Destiny Williams, FAMU — NIH-Funded Researcher at 21, Accepted to Harvard Medical School
Destiny Williams is a senior biochemistry major at Florida A&M University whose groundbreaking research on sickle cell disease earned her a $250,000 NIH grant — making her one of the youngest NIH grant recipients in HBCU history. She will begin her MD/PhD program at Harvard Medical School this fall.
Entrepreneurship
Xavier Grad Marcus Cole Raises $1.2M Seed Round for EdTech Startup Before Graduation.
June 9, 2025
Academic Awards
Spelman's Aaliyah Grant Named 2025 Rhodes Scholar — Only the Third HBCU Recipient in 20 Years.
June 8, 2025
STEM
Morgan State Engineering Students Win National Bridge Design Competition for Second Straight Year.
June 7, 2025
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