Howard University Makes HBCU History, Awarded $90M Contract by Pentagon to Establish Research Center

Nationwide — Howard University has been chosen by the Pentagon, the U.S. Air Force, and the Dept of Defense to lead a university-affiliated research center. It is the only HBCU in history to sign such a military contract.

“To sharpen America’s technological edge and to strengthen America’s outstanding military, the department is committed to investing even more in HBCUs and minority-serving institutions,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first Black secretary of defense, according to The Dig.

As part of the partnership, Howard University will receive $12 million of funding per year for 5 years. The funds will primarily go to establishing and maintaining engineering, research, or development capability in the field of tactical autonomy in support of critical Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense missions.

The partnership, which will also bring support to STEM programs, is expected to diversify the pool of scientists and engineers that work with the Defense Department.

The Pentagon currently has partnerships with 14 other universities, but it is the first time the Air Force primarily sponsored a university to become an affiliated research center.