Federal HBCU Partnership Update: New Opportunities in Research, Workforce, and Economic Development

HBCU C.A.R.E.S. is committed to ensuring that our HBCUs and HBCCs are informed, connected, and positioned to access opportunities that strengthen their institutions and create pathways for their students. As part of that commitment, our government relations partner recently attended a Federal Interagency HBCU Partnership Working Group convening, where federal agencies discussed plans and priorities for increasing HBCU and tribal college participation in research, procurement, grants, workforce development, and student talent pipelines. A central theme of the convening was clear: increasing federal investment in HBCUs requires more than making funding available. Agencies also discussed the importance of reducing structural barriers, simplifying application processes, providing technical assistance, and developing direct partnerships with institutions.

Department of Defense: Research, Equipment, and Career Pathways

The Department of Defense outlined efforts to increase HBCU and tribal college participation through dedicated opportunities, equipment solicitations, institutional outreach, and technical partnerships. Current initiatives discussed included research video pitches, SciTech Connect, seed capital opportunities for scholars and alumni, small-business commercialization partnerships, cyber and STEM internships, and expanded research and equipment funding. Looking toward FY27, priorities discussed included permanent HBCU-specific research and equipment opportunities, additional operational task orders, expanded summer internships, recruitment hubs, and civilian defense career pathways.

Department of Labor: Workforce Development and Apprenticeships

Workforce development was another major focus of the convening. The Department of Labor emphasized sector-based partnerships that bring together employers, workforce organizations, community partners, and HBCUs to create programs that lead directly to employment. Registered apprenticeships were highlighted as one pathway for combining classroom instruction with paid, structured workplace learning in high-demand industries including:

• Manufacturing

• Health care

• Information technology

• Defense and shipbuilding

• Energy

• Semiconductors

• Automotive

The Department of Labor also discussed efforts to reduce regulatory delays and expand apprenticeship funding. HBCUs were encouraged to strengthen relationships with state and local workforce boards to access existing resources and help shape workforce systems that better serve institutions and students.

Opportunities Across USDA, NASA, HUD, and Other Agencies

Additional federal agencies highlighted programs and partnership opportunities relevant to HBCUs.

USDA discussed scholarships, partnerships with 1890 land-grant institutions, Centers of Excellence, faculty mentoring, facilities grants, regional liaisons, and efforts to reduce barriers to contracting and grant programs.

NASA highlighted small-business outreach, acquisition goals, technical assistance, internships, and future innovation-focused activities.

HUD discussed opportunities related to research, housing counseling, economic development, opportunity zones, and competitive grants that may support HBCU campuses and their surrounding communities. The convening also included calls for stronger engagement from additional federal agencies, particularly around emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, energy, and critical minerals.

What Should HBCUs Be Doing Now?

For institutions, these conversations point to several areas that deserve attention.

HBCUs and HBCCs should review federal agency plans and identify opportunities related to grants, contracts, research, equipment, workforce development, and partnerships. Institutions should also consider strengthening engagement with state and local workforce boards, expanding registered apprenticeship strategies, and developing direct relationships with federal agencies and private-sector employers. With FY27 opportunities already being discussed, institutions can also begin developing research, equipment, housing, workforce, and partnership concepts now rather than waiting for solicitations to open.

Advocacy Must Be a Two-Way Conversation

For HBCU C.A.R.E.S., advocacy is not simply about sharing information.

It is about listening to our institutions, understanding their priorities and barriers, connecting them with resources and decision-makers, and helping ensure their needs are represented in the conversations that influence policy, funding, workforce development, research, and economic opportunity. As we continue this work, we want to hear from the presidents and leaders we serve. What policy barriers are affecting your institution? Where are you seeing gaps in federal or state support? What funding, research, workforce, infrastructure, or partnership opportunities should we be pursuing collectively? HBCU C.A.R.E.S. will continue monitoring federal and state developments and sharing relevant information and opportunities with our network.

Our goal is simple: to ensure our institutions are informed, connected, prepared, and positioned for the opportunities ahead. Together, we can continue to strengthen our institutions, expand opportunities for our students, and build something powerful.