Adams, Turner, Strickland, Brown, and Stewart Introduce HBCU RISE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, announced the introduction of H.R.8140, the HBCU Research, Innovation, Security, and Excellence Act or HBCU RISE Act along with original cosponsors Michael Turner (OH-10), vice chair of the HBCU Caucus,Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Anthony Brown (MD-04), and Chris Stewart (UT-02). A Senate companion bill, S.4018, was introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

The legislation creates a pilot program under the Department of Defense to enable Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) designated as high research activity status (R2) to achieve very high research activity status (R1). The text of HBCU RISE was included in the House version of the NDAA, currently under consideration.

Text of the bill is available here.

“HBCU presidents and leaders often ask me how we can help our colleges and universities achieve the ‘very high research activity status’ or ‘R1’ designation, a status that unlocks everything from top-tier talent to increased federal funding,” said Congresswoman Adams. “The HBCU RISE Act is part of the solution. This bipartisan bill will establish a grant program that will help HBCUs rise in the rankings of research institutions, unlocking the untapped potential of these exceptional institutions.”

“The RISE Act will fully recognize the impressive research and academics at HBCUs around the country and expand opportunities for students in our local communities. As the co-chair of the HBCU Caucus, I believe this piece of legislation will create new pathways and open doors for students by expanding HBCUs’ research opportunities, which would be highly beneficial to improving our national defense,” said Rep. Turner.

“HBCUs provide a quality education, a unique experience, and an enriching environment for thousands of students. Supporting their growth and research capabilities is key to supporting their students, faculty, and staff and to creating a more diverse pipeline for careers in STEM. I was proud to introduce this bipartisan bill in the Senate to help expand research opportunities for our outstanding HBCUs in Maryland and across the country, and I’m glad to team up with Representative Adams, who is introducing its companion in the House. Investing more in the success of our HBCUs – and the success of our students – is an investment in our future,” said Senator Van Hollen. 

“The HBCU RISE Act will bring much-needed investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, I am proud to help uplift minority-serving institutions through helping get the financial support and recognition they deserve,” said Congresswoman Strickland.

“Meaningfully investing in the highest performing research-focused HBCUs is an investment in our nation’s future and will help meet our accelerating STEM workforce demands and safeguard our national security. HBCUs are critical institutions for innovation, R&D and training the next generation of diverse STEM professionals,” said Congressman Brown. “This bipartisan legislation is an important step forward in tapping this country’s fullest potential.”

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County). In 2015, she founded the first bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus in Congress. She is a double graduate of North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU by enrollment in the United States, and serves on the House Committee on Education & Labor; the House Financial Services Committee; and the House Committee on Agriculture, which has jurisdiction over the 1890s HBCUs.

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