Continuing the Biden administration’s emphasis on equitability, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced that investments of $40 million this week would help create four research centers of excellence at minority-serving institutions of higher education.
For recipients selected through a merit-based competition, the funds will help improve research programs and capabilities in scientific and engineering areas, and build up the capabilities of both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-serving Institutions (MI) to be able to participate in DoD research programs and activities.
In this case, Arizona State University, Florida International University, Georgia State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University were the ones to benefit.
“These COEs will boost the Department’s ability to conduct transformative research in areas that are vital to safeguarding national security,” Evelyn Kent, DoD HBCU/MI Program and Outreach Director, said. “We look forward to them contributing stimulating ideas and innovations that could lead to the development of novel technologies and methodologies. Establishing the centers at minority-serving institutions also strengthens the STEM pipeline by improving the skillsets of future scientists and engineers, preparing them for careers that will help advance the Department’s research enterprise.”
A panel of experts handled review for merit of the competitors, while DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory will handle the awarding process.
Each university-run program will approach research in different areas and different ways. At ASU – together with Ohio State University – the Center of Excellence in Future Generation Wireless Technology will work to uncover future network challenges and opportunities such as signal processing technologies, machine learning algorithms and more. FIU and partner Pennsylvania State University will meanwhile seek to improve DoD operational readiness through renewable energy generation systems integrated with energy storage, at the DoD Center of Excellence for Integrated Renewable Energy and Energy Storage.
Georgia State University will work with Duke University to research areas such as AI, machine learning and natural language processing through the DoD Center of Excellence in Advanced Computing and Software. Rounding out the pack, Virginia Polytechnic will team with Pennsylvania State University to develop integrated sensing and cyber technologies in highly contested environments. They will do this through the Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-serving Institutions.