Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) could soon have the opportunity to elevate their research capacities, courtesy of the U.S. military.
The U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced a plan to establish another research center headed by a higher ed institution, a university affiliated research center (UARC). It will be the first UARC for the Air Force and the first such center at an HBCU.
HBCUs graduate 30% of African American science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals but get less than 0.5% of DoD research university funding, according to Air Force spokeswoman Laura McAndrews, adding that there is untapped potential at these schools.
There are currently 14 UARCs in the U.S., at schools such as Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Texas at Austin.
The research intended for the new center is “tactical autonomy,” the development of autonomous systems and technologies for military missions, according to the program description.
A key consideration will be making sure that this partnership is mutually beneficial and that the schools are getting the support they need, said Dr. Felecia Commodore, an assistant professor of educational foundations and leadership at Old Dominion University. 
Dr. Felecia Commodore
As for funding this work, the Department of the Air Force, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and Sustainment are committed to $12 million annually for five years, McAndrews wrote.
