A practical guide to grants for HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, AANAPISIs, and other minority-serving institutions, including federal Title III, Title V, and foundation funding.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), AANAPISIs, and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) have dedicated federal funding plus substantial foundation interest.
TL;DR
- Who funds MSIs? ED Title III (HBCU SAFRA, HBCU Capital Financing, Strengthening Institutions), Title V (HSIs), NSF (HBCU-UP, LSAMP, AGEP), foundations.
- Who can apply? HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, AANAPISIs, other federally designated MSIs.
- What gets funded? Institutional capacity, STEM pipeline, research infrastructure, student success, capital.
Federal Funding
ED Title III. HBCU programs (formula and competitive), Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), Title III Part F STEM.
ED Title V. Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans.
NSF. HBCU-UP, LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation), AGEP (Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate), and others.
NIH. Research training and capacity-building programs.
Department of Agriculture for 1890 land-grant HBCUs.
Department of Defense, NASA STEM pipeline programs for MSIs.
Foundation Funders
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Lumina Foundation.
- Walton Family Foundation.
- MacKenzie Scott (major gifts to HBCUs).
- Mellon Foundation.
- Ascendium Education Group.
What Gets Funded
- Institutional capacity (Title III SAFRA, Strengthening Institutions).
- STEM pipeline and research.
- Student success and completion.
- Research infrastructure.
- Capital projects.
- Endowment.
- Graduate education and faculty development.
Tips for a Competitive Application
- Address federal MSI designation requirements (enrollment thresholds, programmatic alignment).
- Show institutional history and mission alignment.
- Demonstrate measurable student outcomes.
- Address community partnerships.
- Plan sustainability and capacity-building, see capacity-building grants.
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces MSI funding across ED, NSF, NIH, USDA, and foundations, with drafts in your institution’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- Department of Education Grants
- NSF & NIH Grants: A Guide to Federal Research Funding
- Grants for Community Colleges
Further Reading
- ED Title III HBCU programs
- UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- Grants.gov (federal funding portal)
- Wikipedia: Historically black colleges and universities
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.