Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeSchoolsDepartment of Defense Launches HBCU Centers of Excellence

Department of Defense Launches HBCU Centers of Excellence

-

The Department of Defense announced an award of $15 million to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish Centers of Excellence (COEs) in Biotechnology and Materials Science. 

North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T) and Morgan State University (MSU) were selected for the multi-million dollar grant on the basis of a merit competition conducted by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). 

“Biotechnology and materials science remains a priority across the Department to achieve new operational capabilities ranging from strengthening chemical, biological defense systems to impacting warfighter performance,” said Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, acting Deputy Director for Research, Technology, and Laboratories of OUSD R&E.

Expand Defense Research

The Center for Biotechnology at NC A&T will detect and monitor various “chemical and biological threat agents” relevant to national defense while MSU will explore the technological potential of 2D materials like wearable photovoltaics and thermally-managed photo-sensors that will be used by the DoD.

In addition to training underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and management (STEM) disciplines, the COEs will also provide internships at defense laboratories where students will collaborate with DoD researchers. Further, the centers will educate K-12 students to increase awareness about defense research.

“We are excited for the range of activities the Centers will conduct in their technical areas and look forward to the foremost research contributions to the defense research enterprise,” Pamulapati added.

You Might Also Like

Latest Posts

13 Best College Traditions in the US to Ignite School Spirit

From quirky practices, festival-esque activities, and food-filled events, check out this round up of the best college traditions across the US.

12 Best Books for College Students: 2024 Must-Reads

Boost academic progress with the best books for college students, ranging from self-help to thought-provoking fiction and tips to make a lasting reading habit.

These 10 US Colleges Offer Awesome Work-Study Programs

Work-study programs aren't just about easing your financial load — they're backstage passes to real-world experiences, skill-building, and building meaningful connections.