HBCU Research Capacity Act

This legislation establishes a Federal Clearinghouse on Research Capacity and Grant Opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) within the Department of Education, in coordination with several other federal agencies. This Clearinghouse will serve as the primary federal resource to identify and provide comprehensive information on grant opportunities that support research and development and institutional research capacity building for HBCUs. The bill highlights that despite HBCUs producing a significant percentage of Black STEM graduates, they receive less than 1 percent of federal research and development expenditures, underscoring the need for improved access and support. The Clearinghouse will also include best practices and recommendations for HBCUs to build research capacity and access federal funding, drawing from various federal, state, and local organizations. The Secretary of Education is mandated to notify all HBCUs and Congress of the Clearinghouse's publication and offer quarterly updates to institutions. Furthermore, participating federal agencies must annually review their grant programs to identify those aligning with the Clearinghouse's recommendations, identify gaps where no such programs exist, and report these findings to Congress, aiming to enhance equitable access to federal research funding and strengthen HBCU research capabilities.