Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) and Representative French Hill (R-AR-02) reintroduced the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for Historically Black College and University Excellence Act, also known as the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, H.R. 8791. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a companion package in the Senate.“For generations, HBCUs have educated students who went on to lead in every corner of our country, often while operating with far fewer resources than their peer institutions,”saidCongresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus.“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is about making sure these institutions have the facilities and infrastructure needed to continue serving students and competing in today’s higher education landscape. From academic buildings and research labs to student housing and technology infrastructure, this bill makes long-term investments that will strengthen our campuses, support workforce development, and expand opportunity for future generations. I am proud to continue this bipartisan work through the HBCU Caucus alongside Congressman French Hill and our Senate partners.”A century of underfunding and financial neglect from state and federal governments have left the vast majority of HBCUs with aging laboratories, deteriorating dormitories, outdated equipment, and crumbling infrastructure. This bipartisan legislation would authorize federal investments to rebuild and modernize aging campus infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States.
