McClellan Introduces GRAD Act to Expand Funding for HBCUs and PBIs

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-9) introduced H.R. 7341, the Growing Reputable Academic Department (GRAD) Act, to support graduate-level STEM programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) across the nation by expanding their access to federal funding.

HBCUs generate billions of dollars of economic impact and serve hundreds of thousands of students, yet they historically have been underfunded. Over the past several decades, philanthropic and foundation support for HBCUs dramatically declined, threatening students' ability to thrive in environments that celebrate and support them. Nationwide, 25% of Black graduates and 46% of Black female graduates with STEM degrees come from HBCUs. To better foster STEM education and ensure our nation remains on the cutting edge of research and technological development, we must prioritize greater investment.

"Virginia's Fourth boasts HBCUs that have prepared countless leaders in our Commonwealth. Nationwide, HBCUs and PBIs serve as pivotal academic, social and cultural institutions for Black Americans and provide historically marginalized communities access to quality higher education," said Congresswoman McClellan. "However, these institutions suffer from a decades-long systemic lack of funding. That's why I'm introducing the GRAD Act to provide a crucial lifeline to these centers for higher education by making their graduate-level STEM programs eligible for greater federal support. This legislation will address long-standing disparities, boost American research and improve representation in STEM fields."

"As Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee for Higher Education and Workforce Development, I have championed the vital role HBCUs and PBIs play in educating the next generation of Black leaders, innovators, and researchers," said Congresswoman Alma Adams, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional HBCU Caucus. "The GRAD Act is another step in the long march to prove that investing in HBCU and PBI graduate STEM programs means investing in American excellence and our commitment to equity in higher education. This legislation will help ensure that HBCUs and PBIs can continue and expand their excellent work in STEM education and research."

"Ensuring our nation's STEM workforce is as competitive, innovative, and impactful as possible must start with reaching talented young professionals where they are, and some of the brightest and most exceptional America has to offer happen to attend its HBCUs and PBIs. Despite intentional and intergenerational neglect, these institutions have long persisted in their mission to open the doors of opportunity to intelligent young Black men and women. It is past time they receive the same transformative resources as their enumerated counterparts. I am proud to work alongside Congresswomen McClellan and Adams to pass the GRAD Act and guarantee the STEM professionals of tomorrow have the support and funding they need today," said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

This bill is cosponsored byReps. Andre Carson, Troy Carter, Steve Cohen, Danny Davis, Cleo Fields, Valerie Foushee, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Hank Johnson, Summer Lee, Terri Sewell, Lateefah Simon and Eugene Vindman.

The GRAD ACT is endorsed bythe Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

"Strategic investments in our great institutions of higher education are critical in ensuring that our nation produces talent equipped to fill the jobs of tomorrow and remains globally competitive," TMCF President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams said. "The Growing Reputable Academic Departments (GRAD) Act is an instrumental piece of legislation to provide historically Black colleges and universities and predominantly Black institutions with the resources needed to invest in innovative STEM programs to meet the ever-evolving workforce needs."

"The introduction of the GRAD Act is a critical step toward strengthening the capacity and long-term sustainability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. By expanding access to federal support for graduate education and research infrastructure, this legislation recognizes what HBCUs have long demonstrated-our institutions are engines of talent, innovation, and economic mobility. The GRAD Act will help ensure HBCUs can continue to educate the next generation of scholars, professionals, and leaders while advancing equity in graduate education nationwide. UNCF applauds this effort and looks forward to working with Congress to see it enacted," said Dr. Lodriquez Murray, Vice President of Government Affairs at UNCF.

Read the full bill text here. Read the one-pager here.