1890 Foundation and QEM Partner to Advance Research Capacity and Innovation Across HBCU Land-Grant Universities

Collaboration unites two national leaders to strengthen research infrastructure, elevate grantsmanship, and expand funding opportunities across 19 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities.

WASHINGTON (November 17, 2025) – The 1890 Universities Foundation and the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network are proud to announce a strategic partnership aimed at catalyzing research and development ecosystem growth for the nation’s 19 historically Black land-grant institutions.

The partnership represents a shared commitment to advancing research excellence, increasing competitiveness for federal and philanthropic funding, and positioning 1890 institutions as national leaders in innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

Building on the 1890 Foundation’s proven record of fostering collaboration and securing transformative funding, such as the $35 million U.S. Forest Service grant to expand urban forestry research and workforce development, the partnership will connect that momentum with QEM’s three decades of experience as a national catalyst for minority-serving institutions in STEM. Since 1990, QEM has been at the forefront of capacity building, faculty training, and grantsmanship support that has helped hundreds of underrepresented scholars and institutions secure research funding and expand impact.

• Expanding Access to Funding: Identifying and strategically pursuing new, large-scale grant opportunities from federal agencies and private foundations.
• Building Sustainable Infrastructure: Supporting the 1890 universities as they strengthen their research infrastructure, from labs to staffing, to manage and grow long-term projects.
• Empowering Faculty Excellence: Elevating grantsmanship excellence by providing expert training and professional development to help faculty craft winning proposals.
• Fostering Collaborative Research: Connecting universities and faculty to build powerful teams that can pursue major, cross-institutional research projects.

Dr. Felecia M. Nave, President and CEO of the 1890 Universities Foundation, stated, “This partnership isn’t just about expanding research funding; it allows us to reshape what’s possible for our institutions, our faculty, our students, and our community. The 1890s have always been incubators of innovation. By combining our strengths with QEM, we’re creating a pathway for the next generation of scholars and scientists to lead solutions that impact our nation and our world.”

The QEM Network, established in 1990 and led by Dr. Erin Lynch, has marshaled national support for minority-serving institutions and led numerous STEM and educational projects in partnership with agencies, foundations, and academic leaders. Together, QEM and the 1890 Foundation will work to ensure effective utilization of funding and resources for sustainable growth, amplifying the reach and impact of 1890 land-grant universities from urban environments to rural communities.

The collaboration underscores the power of partnership and shared purpose in driving change. By uniting under a common goal, the 1890 Foundation and QEM are helping ensure that Historically Black land-grant universities continue to thrive as engines of innovation, research excellence, and community transformation.

For media inquiries, contact:
1890 Universities Foundation: info@1890foundation.org
QEM Network: info@qem.org

About the 1890 Universities Foundation

The 1890 Foundation is the central hub serving 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities with land-grant status, driving excellence in education, research, and community engagement, and stewarding major grant-funded advancement in areas such as agriculture, urban forestry, and community empowerment.

About QEM Network

Founded in 1990 in Washington, D.C., QEM Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education nationwide, advancing minority participation in STEM disciplines, and building capacity and leadership at minority-serving institutions through research, faculty development, and student mentoring programs.