HBCU News - QEM Network Co-Hosts Impactful Federal Grant Proposal Workshop, Empowers Campus Researchers to Seek Federal Grant Opportunities

QEM Network Co-Hosts Impactful Federal Grant Proposal Workshop, Empowers Campus Researchers to Seek Federal Grant Opportunities

Courtesy of Hampton University

The collection of 101-accredited historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) nationwide are not only pillars of higher education but also engines of economic and social progress. Together, HBCUs contribute nearly $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy and produce 17 percent of all bachelor’s degrees earned by Black students, despite representing only three percent of colleges and universities, according to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). HBCUs, like Hampton University, cultivate graduates who account for 40 percent of Black engineers, 50 percent of Black lawyers, and 80 percent of Black judges, driving innovation and equity across industries.

Sponsored programs are the driving force behind HBCU success, delivering crucial funding for research, infrastructure, and scholarships. In 2022, for instance, federal and corporate partnerships delivered $75 million in research funding to HBCUs, reinforcing their role in shaping the nation’s future.

Quality Education for Minorities, (QEM), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education for minorities across the nation, partnered with the Hampton University Office of Research to host a two-day Federal Grant Proposal Workshop, from January 8-9. This event brought together faculty and researchers from across the university to enhance their knowledge and skills in pursuing federal research funding, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to advancing research excellence at HBCUs.

The workshop highlighted the critical need to increase research opportunities for HBCUs, which have historically faced significant underfunding in the academic and scientific arenas. According to research by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HBCUs are significantly underfunded with federal grants, with analysis showing a disparity of over $12 billion in funding compared to non-HBCU land-grant institutions across several states, highlighting a systemic issue of inequitable funding for these institutions.

Based on data from the White House, across both public and private institutions, HBCUs have much smaller endowments than non-HBCUs, owing in-part to historic inequities and discriminatory practices—such as redlining and blockbusting—that have led to large racial wealth gaps that can contribute to racial gaps in giving. Research shows that per full-time student, the endowment for public HBCUs was about 50 percent of the endowment for public non-HBCUs in 2021. The gap is larger at private institutions, where the average HBCU endowment per full time student is about 21 percent of non-HBCUs.

By providing tailored guidance on navigating the complexities of federal grant applications, Hampton University empowered researchers to expand their efforts in securing vital funding for groundbreaking studies and innovative projects.

“Research and innovation are important to Hampton University and it’s the second strategic goal for the institution,” said Dr. Neelam Azad, Vice President for Research, Hampton University. “Our strategy for becoming an R1 research institution is to increase the number of research proposals that our faculty is writing. The QEM workshop is a great opportunity to engage our faculty. Collaborations with federal agencies, private organizations, industry leaders, National Labs (e.g., JLabs and Fermi), and NASA demonstrate Hampton’s ability to leverage external resources effectively.”

Over the course of the workshop, participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering best practices for finding funding, completing successful grant applications, and the workshop included small group breakout sessions, and more. Experts provided insights into navigating grant opportunities across federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Education.

Hampton University researchers left the workshop with actionable strategies to increase their competitiveness for federal funding opportunities. These skills are essential for amplifying the university’s research impact and advancing its mission to address societal challenges through innovative and inclusive research.

“Hampton’s faculty members and other thought leaders across the campus have been instrumental in raising awareness about the wealth of opportunities available to HBCUs through federal grants,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “By equipping our researchers with these tools, we’re not only enhancing their individual success but also elevating Hampton University’s role as a leading research powerhouse as we deliver the #1 student experience in America.”

Hampton University’s commitment to expanding its research portfolio and supporting its faculty in securing external funding is a key priority as the university continues to champion innovation and academic excellence. The QEM Federal Grant Proposal Workshop represents a significant step forward in achieving these goals and ensuring the institution’s contributions to research remain impactful and far-reaching.