Courtesy of Claflin University
Claflin University is among a select group of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges/Universities) that will receive funding from a $30 million grant through the U.S. Department of Energy. The U.S. Department of Energy selected Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) – which includes HBCUs in South Carolina, Tennessee, and a Tribal College in the state of Washington to receive financial assistance to invest in next generation STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) leaders. Claflin is in partnership with seven other HBCUs/MSIs in South Carolina that share a $20 million grant from the program. Claflin will receive more than $4 million to support its STEM programs.
“This grant provides significant support for our strategic Cyber Security Agenda,” said Claflin President Dwaun J. Warmack. “We are profoundly grateful that the Department of Energy selected Claflin to serve as the lead on this grant. More importantly, we are thankful that DOE selected the Great State of South Carolina as a Consortium. All eight HBCU’s will receive a portion of these funds. This grant will enable each of our institutions to expand our STEM agendas and display the significant scalable impact for campuses and the State of South Carolina.”
The grant is part of the Department of Energy’s Build Competitive Academic Programs in Underrepresented Communities initiative. These grants, distributed by DOE’s Office of Environmental Management’s (EM) Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP), will help develop highly qualified science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students and foster a well-trained, technically skilled, and inclusive workforce. By advancing the education and training of a culturally diverse workforce of scientists, engineers, and managers, MSIPP builds upon the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to increase the participation, leadership, and success of students from underrepresented and historically marginalized communities.
Claflin University has received national acclaim for the exceptional quality of its academic programs and success for producing an impressive number of STEM graduates. Many of these graduates have launched careers with globally prominent tech companies, conduct results-driven research at state-of-the-art laboratories, and attend prestigious graduate and professional schools. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) granted accreditation to Claflin’s Computer Science program. Claflin’s RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program received accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Board of Commissioners. CCNE Accreditation ensures that the nursing program consistently demonstrates quality in mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, and curriculum and teaching-learning practices. Claflin’s Chemistry program is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
“Leveraging the full potential of America’s best and brightest means including students from every pocket of the nation, and of all races and ethnicities,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With today’s investments, DOE is following through with our previously announced commitments to MSIs to remove barriers and unlock opportunities for millions of Americans – inspiring the next generation of science and technology leaders and positioning America to lead the world in the industries of the future, from artificial intelligence and clean energy to quantum computing and advanced engineering.”
Established in 2014, MSIPP promotes the education and development of the next generation workforce in critical STEM related disciplines that support EM’s mission. MSIPP grants assist MSIs, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities, efforts to build competitive academic STEM programs and to purchase the tools and equipment necessary for scientific learning. The technical, scientific, and life skills provided to students through MSIPP help contribute to safe and clean environments in communities across the country and translate into real world experience and good-paying job opportunities.
The grants announced support President Biden’s commitment to fulfill our nation’s responsibilities to address the Cold War environmental legacy resulting from five decades of critical defense and nuclear research missions and support communities directly impacted by them. The $56 million received from the Fiscal Year 2022 budget allows DOE to further its mission to build a highly skilled and diverse workforce from roughly 700 MSIs, while removing inequitable barriers to advancement and development opportunities.
More than 100 research contracts involving more than 450 students in research projects have been granted under MSIPP since 2014. To date, MSIPP has supported 62 universities and colleges across 22 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. EM plans to continue efforts of addressing the need for building and maintaining a well-trained, technically skilled, and diverse workforce by promoting the education and development of the next generation workforce in STEM, cybersecurity, and additive manufacturing disciplines through MSIPP.
