> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Biden Administration Announces $1.3 Billion in Funds for Historically Black Colleges
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/biden-administration-announces-1-3-billion-in-funds-for-historically-black-colleges/
- Published: 2024-09-17T02:15:42.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:03:43.000Z
- Description: The NTIA's Connecting Minority Communities program focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
- Author: Broadband Breakfast
- Tags: Digital Equity, HBCU, Connecting Minority Communities Program, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, NTIA, #with-siderail

WASHINGTON, September 16, 2024 — The Biden-Harris Administration [on Monday announced](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/16/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-1-3-billion-in-additional-funding-and-a-record-of-over-17-billion-in-total-support-for-historically-black-colleges-and-universities-hbcus/?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) an additional $1.3 billion in federal investments for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), bringing the total support to more than $17 billion over the past four years.

Among the HBCU-focused programs included the [Connecting-Minority-Communities program](https://www.ntia.gov/funding-programs/internet-all/connecting-minority-communities-pilot-program?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) delivering funding for 43 HBCUs to purchase high-speed internet, purchase equipment, and hire information technology personnel to tackle the digital divide impacting HBCUs.

The new funding includes $188 million in competitive grants through the Department of Education and $1.1 billion to support HBCU students directly through need-based grants and other federal programs, according to a White House press release.

Despite representing only 3% of U.S. colleges and universities, HBCUs provide college access to twice as many Pell Grant-eligible students as non-HBCU institutions, said the White House. They have produced 40% of all Black engineers, 50% of Black teachers, and 70% of Black doctors and dentists.

Among the notable initiatives touched by the administration include the establishment of the first HBCU-led university affiliated research center by the U.S. Air Force – with $90 million in funding from the Defense Department – plus a $4.2 million [grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/epp-msi/csc?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), the launch of [the HBCU CHIPS Network to support semiconductor workforce development](https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2024/02/commerce-secretary-gina-raimondo-hosts-launch-hbcu-chips-network-build-skilled?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com).