Proposed Bill Would Reserve 10% of NSF AI Research Institutes for HBCUs

Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) announced on February 27 that she will introduce the HBCU Artificial Intelligence Research Leadership Act, legislation that would mandate 10% of the National Science Foundation's National AI Research Institutes be operated by or in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The bill targets a persistent structural gap: despite producing a disproportionate share of Black STEM graduates, HBCUs receive a fraction of federal research funding. The act aims to change that calculus in the fastest-growing area of scientific investment.

What the Bill Would Do

The legislation would require NSF to ensure that at least 10% of its National AI Research Institute awards — the agency's flagship AI program, which currently funds 25 institutes across the country — involve HBCUs as lead or co-lead institutions. The act draws on findings from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund's report, "The American Dividend: Public HBCUs Powering National Strength and Opportunity."

Former NSF TIP Director Erwin Gianchandani has emphasized that diversifying the research workforce is critical to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in AI. The bill would codify that priority into law.

Who Stands to Benefit

Endorsements have come from Alabama A&M University, the Atlanta University Center Consortium, North Carolina Central University, and Morris College, among others. But the legislation's impact would extend beyond specific campuses — it would create a pipeline for HBCU researchers and students to access the multi-million-dollar awards, computational infrastructure, and industry partnerships that AI Research Institutes provide.

The Grant-Seeker Takeaway

HBCU administrators and researchers should begin identifying AI research strengths and potential consortium partners now. If the bill advances, NSF will need qualifying proposals ready when the mandate takes effect. Building institutional AI capacity — faculty expertise, compute resources, and industry relationships — takes years, so the preparation window starts immediately.

For HBCUs assessing their competitive position across the broader federal funding landscape, tools like Granted can surface complementary opportunities while this legislation moves through Congress.

More coverage of federal AI funding policy is available on the Granted blog.