Sec. 2. Findings

262 words·~1 min read·/bill/119/s/4167/is/section-2

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Congress finds the following: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are a vital source to the Nation’s research and workforce communities. While enrolling 8.5 percent of Black undergraduate students, HBCUs produce almost 18 percent of Black STEM bachelor’s degree recipients, as of 2024. Despite these major contributions, only one HBCU, Howard University, has achieved very high research activity status. Furthermore, HBCUs received less than 1 percent of the approximately $60,000,000,000 in Federal research and development expenditures at colleges and universities in fiscal year 2023.

Due to historical underfunding, HBCUs face cyclical barriers in building research capacity, further limiting grant access, resources, and exasperating issues related to smaller endowments. This makes it even more difficult for scholars to secure Federal research funding. In finding solutions to research and development barriers, a May 2024 report by the National Science and Technology Council recommends strategies such as expanding flexibility in funding, encouraging interagency collaboration to share best practices, and reforming merit-review to reduce bias and improve transparency.

Expanding research diversity is strategically important for national security, economic growth, and innovation. Underrepresentation of HBCUs in Federal research funding represents a missed opportunity. A Federal clearinghouse providing information on grant opportunities and sharing best practices would help address barriers such as knowledge gaps, transparency, and capacity limitations. Coordinated agency review, gap identification, and reporting to Congress should improve accountability and help ensure equitable access to Federal research funding for HBCUs.

Establishing, maintaining, and creating accountability measures for the Clearinghouse is therefore appropriate and necessary to notify eligible HBCUs and guide Federal agencies in supporting HBCU research capacity.