EPA-HBCU Engagement

EPA is announcing new resources as part of its commitment to support HBCUs and their efforts to address climate and environmental justice and protect the public health of their students and the communities they serve.

New Activities

• EPA is establishing a new $2.5M Competitive Grant Opportunity that will support students and faculty with a focus on funding partnerships of HBCUs and CBOs by funding workforce development, environmental education, capacity building amongst HBCUs, and investing in community projects that address environmental challenges and concerns related to environmental justice, climate, water, and healthy lands on campus and in the communities they serve. We expect to issue the Notice of Funding Opportunity for this new grant in early October.

• EPA is currently in the process of hiring a permanent HBCU Outreach and Engagement Liaison within the Administrator’s Office that will advise the Administrator on activities and efforts related to the agency’s work with HBCUs.

Ongoing Activities

• In the coming months, EPA will announce the founding members of the first HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council who will advise the Administrator on how to leverage the expertise within HBCU-MSI’s to advance the Agency’s mission and inform the agency of the resources and support these vital institutions need to thrive.

Goal

EPA has had longstanding relationships with HBCUs, and through this initiative the Agency will create a framework to empower these institutions to further build their capacity and expertise in the environmental arena. EPA’s HBCU Engagement will focus on fostering learning and collaboration among these institutions that may have different proficiencies that will allow them to share knowledge and research. These efforts will encourage the formation of relationships and partnerships among HBCUs and build capacity across the spectrum. Furthermore, EPA’s HBCU Engagement will work to increase opportunities for these historic institutions to participate in and benefit from Federal programs and solidify their standing as critical institutions that will support and fuel the next generation of leaders in the environmental and climate field.

Engagement Initiatives

$2.5M Competitive Grant Opportunity to Strengthen HBCU’s Environmental and Climate Impact in Communities

EPA is establishing a new $2.5M competitive grant opportunity that will focus on supporting partnerships of HBCUs and CBOs, as well as collaboration among students and faculty to actively address environmental challenges and concerns related to environmental justice, climate, water, and healthy lands on campus and in their communities. This grant will empower HBCUs and their CBO partners to design, develop, and implement multi-faceted projects that address unique the needs they and the communities they serve have such as:

1. Creating a venue for HBCUs and CBOs to come together to a) share information, data, and research; b) develop and strengthen partnerships with one another and supportive entities; and c) collaborate on environmental and climate initiatives to build their capacity to address the environmental challenges they face.
2. Expanding workforce development programs (i.e., trainings, internships, and fellowships) to create access to high-quality jobs and economic opportunity and build a bench of young professionals from diverse communities prepared to enter in professions involved in reducing emissions of greenhouse gas and other air pollutants.
3. Developing curriculum in critical environmental areas such as climate, environmental justice, clean energy, that prepares students and community members to be leaders in the environmental field and supports communities working to address their environmental challenges.
4. Increasing the capacity of HBCUs (i.e., education, trainings) to meaningfully engage in federal, state, and local government programs and processes related to environmental and climate justice to ensure their critical perspective is included and can inform the agency actions.
5. Investing in community-driven projects that address longstanding environmental concerns; reduce and prevent pollution; build resilience to climate change and mitigating current and future climate risks; and advance environmental justice. Such projects could include: building new campus gardens or public green spaces; new electric vehicles and/or other low-and-zero emissions vehicles (i.e. bicycles) that are available on campuses for car-sharing programs; outfitting schools and classrooms with improved HVAC systems; and installing water efficiency systems that will address drivers of harmful air, water, and land pollution in these communities.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity for this new grant program is expected to be published early October.

Permanent HBCU Outreach and Public Engagement Liaison at EPA

EPA is currently in the process of hiring a permanent HBCU Outreach and Engagement Liaison within the Administrator’s Office that will advise the Administrator on activities and efforts related to the agency’s work with HBCUs. The new specialist will interface with HBCUs, MSIs, and others within the collegiate ecosystem, to ensure these stakeholders are aware of EPA resources, funds, and engagement opportunities. Additionally, the Liaison will coordinate internally within EPA, to ensure clear communication between offices, and maintain a clearinghouse of resources so that information on HBCU efforts and opportunities are readily accessible for both internal and external stakeholders.

The HBCU Outreach and Public Engagement Liaison permanent hire is expected to start this year.

HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council

In the coming months EPA will announce the founding members of the first HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council who will advise the Administrator on how to leverage the expertise within HBCU-MSI’s to advance the Agency’s mission and inform the agency of the resources and support these vital institutions need to thrive. In March 2024, EPA announced the establishment of the HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council. The Council will provide independent advice and recommendations to the Administrator on how the agency can better leverage the expertise within HBCU-MSI’s and provide opportunities to help diversify the agency’s workforce and nurture the next generation of environmental leaders. Close to 200 applications were received from a wide variety of individuals associated with HBCUs, showcasing the commitment from the community to engage with and advise the agency on a path forward. Selections to the council will be announced by Fall 2024 and will include representation from academia, industry, community based and non-governmental organizations, and local government from across the country.

The HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council will announce its founding members in the coming months.