Howard becomes the first HBCU to establish a partnership with the Pentagon

Howard University has become the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to partner with the Pentagon on military technology research through a five-year, US$90 million contract.

This research center, the first Department of Defense university research center sponsored by the Air Force, will focus on tactical autonomy, as stated by Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick.

Bruce Jones, Vice President of Research at Howard University, highlighted that the US$90 million contract is the largest research contract ever signed by an HBCU.

“Howard has always made history and has consistently been dedicated to scientific discovery and innovation,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III during the announcement of the Air Force research center on Howard’s campus.

According to the National Science Foundation, Howard University produces more African-American undergraduates who go on to earn science and engineering doctoral degrees than any other university. Austin emphasized that graduates from HBCUs are the “power that our country needs.”