Senators Warnock and Britt Introduce Bipartisan HBCU Research Funding Bill

Legislation aims to streamline federal research grants for historically Black colleges and universities.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:07am

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In a rare show of bipartisanship, U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) have introduced the HBCU Research Capacity Act. The bill seeks to improve access to critical federal research funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), addressing long-standing disparities that have left these institutions underfunded despite their outsized impact on innovation, workforce development, and cultivating diverse talent.

Why it matters

HBCUs have proven their ability to punch above their weight in research and development, but often lack the same level of federal support as larger, predominantly white institutions. This bipartisan legislation aims to create a centralized 'clearinghouse' to streamline HBCU access to grant opportunities, helping to level the playing field and sustain the vital role these institutions play in advancing American competitiveness.

The details

The HBCU Research Capacity Act would amend the Higher Education Act to direct the Secretary of Education to coordinate with federal agencies in building and maintaining a comprehensive database of available research grants. The Secretary would also be required to assign personnel to manage the clearinghouse, provide formal notification to HBCUs and Congress, and issue regular reports. The bill comes after Warnock previously introduced legislation to study pathways for HBCUs to achieve the prestigious R1 research university designation, which Howard University recently became the first HBCU to attain.

  • The HBCU Research Capacity Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 27, 2026.
  • Warnock previously introduced the Increase America's Research Capacity Act in 2023.

The players

Raphael Warnock

U.S. Senator from Georgia and an alumnus of Morehouse College, one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities.

Katie Britt

U.S. Senator from Alabama and a former trustee of one of Alabama's 14 HBCUs.

Harry L. Williams

President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an organization that works closely with HBCUs.

UNCF

The United Negro College Fund, a non-profit that supports historically Black colleges and universities.

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What they’re saying

“HBCUs are incubators of diverse excellence and have proven their ability time and again to punch above their weight. Despite not always having every tool at their disposal, they continue to make massive contributions to the research and development community. This bipartisan bill will make securing federal dollars for their research efforts that much easier, and I am proud to work alongside another champion of HBCUs in Senator Katie Britt.”

— Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senator

“It was a privilege to be joined by so many HBCU presidents from across the nation. One of my biggest takeaways from the roundtable was our shared passion for ensuring all HBCUs have the resources available to provide their students with the highest level of opportunity—something I'm committed to continue fighting for.”

— Katie Britt, U.S. Senator

“For too long, federal research investments have been disproportionately concentrated in a select few institutions of higher education. By connecting historically Black colleges and universities with federal research opportunities, the HBCU Research Capacity Act is a major step toward ensuring HBCUs serve as catalysts for expanding America's portfolio of top-tier research institutions and advancing our nation's global competitiveness.”

— Harry L. Williams, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund

What’s next

The HBCU Research Capacity Act will now proceed through the legislative process, with the goal of securing bipartisan support and passage in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The takeaway

This bipartisan legislation represents a significant step forward in addressing long-standing funding disparities that have hindered the research capabilities of HBCUs, institutions that play a vital role in cultivating diverse talent and driving innovation across key industries. Its passage would help ensure these historic institutions have the resources needed to thrive and contribute to America's global competitiveness.