1890 Universities Foundation Supports Introduction of the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act

Bipartisan legislation would provide historic federal investment in HBCU infrastructure, technology, and research capacity.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 2026 — The 1890 Universities Foundation today announced its support for the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representative Alma S. Adams (D-NC) and Representative French Hill (R-AR) in the House and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in the Senate. The bill would provide historic federal investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to strengthen campus infrastructure, expand research capacity, and ensure these institutions have the resources needed to continue delivering results for students and communities across the country.

The 19 Historically Black Land-grant universities represented by the 1890 Universities Foundation have spent more than a century at the forefront of agricultural research, workforce development, and community impact. HBCUs produce 27 percent of all African American bachelor's degrees in STEM subjects and contribute nearly $15 billion annually to their communities. Nearly 60 percent of HBCU students are first-generation or low-income, and HBCUs consistently outperform peer institutions in supporting and graduating these students. Collectively, HBCUs produce 134,000 jobs and generate $46.8 billion in alumni career earnings annually. For 1890 institutions specifically, this work extends far beyond the classroom. These universities conduct research that shapes national food security policy, develops the next generation of scientists, and serve as anchors of economic stability in rural and urban communities across America.

1890 institutions have earned their place at the center of the national conversation on research, innovation, and workforce development. The facilities supporting that work have not kept pace. A June 2018 Government Accountability Office report found that 70 of 79 HBCUs surveyed reported that 46 percent of their building space needed repair or complete replacement, with public HBCUs carrying average deferred maintenance backlogs of $67 million. The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act addresses that gap directly, ensuring the physical infrastructure of these institutions reflects the quality and ambition of the work happening inside them.

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act would provide HBCUs with support to:

• Renovate, repair, modernize, or construct new campus facilities including instructional, research, and residential spaces.
• Preserve buildings with historic significance.
• Ensure the resilience, safety, and sustainability of campus facilities
• Provide access to campus-wide high-speed broadband to support digital learning and long-term technological capacity.
• Procure equipment and technology to facilitate high-quality research and instruction.

“When Congress invests in 1890 Land-Grant Universities, it is investing in the food security, agricultural research, and workforce development that this nation depends on. We contribute nearly $15 billion annually to our communities. Our institutions are not on the margins of these critical conversations. We are leading them. The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act gives us the infrastructure to lead even more effectively and serve even more students, farmers, and communities across the country,” said Felecia M. Nave, Ph.D, President and CEO, 1890 Universities Foundation.

“The data tells a clear story,” Dr. Nave continued. “1890 institutions graduate 27 percent of African Americans with STEM degrees. We contribute nearly $15 billion annually to our communities. We produce the researchers and innovators addressing the most extreme challenges in food security, agriculture, and health. The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act ensures that the facilities and technology supporting that work are equal to the mission being carried out inside them.”

The 1890 Universities Foundation calls on members of Congress to support and pass the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act.

About the 1890 Universities Foundation

The 1890 Universities Foundation supports and magnifies the work of the 19 Historically Black land-grant universities across the United States. The Foundation serves as a connector, facilitator, and advocate, building partnerships, identifying resources, and elevating the visibility of 1890 institutions and the students, faculty, and communities they serve. For more information visit www.1890foundation.org.