The Department of Energy (DoE) is investing $30 million in minority serving institutions (MSI) to help develop the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) leaders.
MSIs in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington will receive financial assistance grants through the DoE’s Office of Environmental Management’s (EM) Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP). According to the DoE, the funding will “help develop highly qualified [STEM] students and foster a well-trained, technically skilled, and inclusive workforce.”
“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 Energy Sec. Jennifer 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,” she said.
MSIPP grants assist MSIs – including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities – in their efforts to build competitive academic STEM programs and to purchase the tools and equipment necessary for scientific learning, DoE explained in a press release. The funding comes from $56 million DoE received in the fiscal year 2022 budget. DoE noted that the funding will allow the agency 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.”
The MSIs selected to receive the MSIPP grants include eight MSIs in North Carolina that will receive a total of $20 million in funding:
- Claflin University
- Allen University
- Benedict College
- Clinton College
- Denmark Technical College
- Morris College
- South Carolina State University
- Voorhees College
Three MSIs in Tennessee will receive $5 million in funding:
- Tennessee State University
- Fisk University
- Meharry Medical College
Northwest Indian College in Washington State will receive $5 million (Award amount: $5 million).
