One of the biggest challenges facing the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is keeping their campuses competitive with facilities and technology that are on par with traditionally white institutions. The U.S. Department of Education recently announced a $227 million grant that will aid HBCUs in updating their physical plants and strengthen their academic resources.

In announcing the grant, the Secretary of Education cited the importance and contributions of historically Black colleges to the nation. "HBCUs have made enduring, even staggering contributions to American life despite the steep financial challenges many have faced," Duncan said. "The grants will help these important institutions continue to provide their students with the quality education they need to compete in the global economy."

The monies are made available through the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant administered through the Office of Postsecondary Education at the Department of Education. The grants are five-year awards that fund such activities as curriculum reform; counseling and student service programs; establishing teacher education programs designed to qualify students to teach; acquiring real-estate property in connection with construction, renovations, or additions that may improve campus facilities; and funding faculty and staff development. In addition, HBCUs may use the grant to assist in the purchase, rental or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment or support the development of disciplines in which African-Americans are underrepresented. With a new focus on careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the grant comes at an opportune moment for many HBCUs that are lacking in academic instruction in those disciplines.

A total of 97 grants were awarded to HBCUs in 19 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This Google map indicates where the grant provides support.

Alabama

• Alabama A&M University — $3,236,524
• Alabama State University — $3,994,637
• Bishop State CC—Carver Campus — $500,000
• Bishop State CC—Main Campus — $1,838,546
• Concordia College—Selma — $1,002,132
• Gadsden State Community College — $250,000
• H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College — $1,244,976
• J.F. Drake State Technical College — $1,433,843
• Lawson State Community College — $2,991,584
• Miles College — $2,011,679
• Oakwood College — $1,576,796
• Shelton State Community College — $1,145,605
• Stillman College — $1,742,200
• Talladega College — $1,339,273
• Tuskegee University — $2,279,998

Arkansas

• Arkansas Baptist College — $1,435,675
• Philander Smith University — $1,859,312
• Shorter College — $250,000
• University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff — $3,275,591

District of Columbia

• University of the District of Columbia — $2,415,668

Delaware

• Delaware State University — $2,173,761

Florida

• Bethune-Cookman University — $2,926,836
• Edward Waters College — $1,297,176
• Florida A&M University — $6,596,639
• Florida Memorial University — $2,025,731

Georgia

• Albany State University — $3,724,604
• Clark Atlanta University — $2,756,524
• Fort Valley State University — $2,626,143
• Morehouse College — $2,300,748
• Paine College — $1,514,609
• Savannah State University — $2,793,926
• Spelman College — $2,085,873

Kentucky

• Kentucky State University — $2,192,831

Louisiana

• Dillard University — $2,006,534
• Grambling State University — $3,444,511
• Southern University & A&M College — $5,331,871
• Southern University New Orleans — $2,577,184
• Southern University Shreveport — $2,812,234
• Xavier University of Louisiana — $3,199,496

Maryland

• Bowie State University — $3,001,958
• Coppin State University — $2,774,741
• Morgan State University — $3,890,113
• University of Maryland, Eastern Shore — $2,535,353

Missouri

• Harris-Stowe State University — $1,578,832
• Lincoln University — $2,289,891

Mississippi

• Alcorn State University — $2,981,217
• Coahoma Community College — $2,472,769
• Hinds Community College — $1,592,626
• Jackson State University — $5,314,828
• Mississippi Valley State University — $2,539,567
• Rust College — $1,505,037
• Tougaloo College — $2,195,106

North Carolina

• Bennett College — $1,457,849
• Elizabeth City State University — $3,474,658
• Fayetteville State University — $3,842,872
• Johnson C. Smith University — $1,886,314
• Livingstone College — $1,476,226
• North Carolina A&T State University — $5,246,940
• North Carolina Central University — $4,090,693
• St. Augustine's College — $1,638,519
• Shaw University — $2,467,589
• Winston-Salem State University — $4,375,966

Ohio

• Central State University — $1,978,028
• Wilberforce University — $1,231,005

Oklahoma

• Langston University — $2,356,747

Pennsylvania

• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania — $1,712,647
• Lincoln University of Pennsylvania — $2,081,149

South Carolina

• Allen University — $1,382,744
• Benedict College — $2,672,945
• Claflin University — $1,844,621
• Clinton Junior College — $250,000
• Denmark Technical College — $1,610,441
• Morris College — $1,561,979
• South Carolina State University — $3,354,581
• Voorhees College — $1,743,086

Tennessee

• Fisk University — $1,356,300
• Lane College — $2,691,975
• LeMoyne-Owen College — $1,252,907
• Tennessee State University — $4,851,718

Texas

• Huston-Tillotson University — $1,985,989
• Jarvis Christian College — $991,903
• Paul Quinn College — $1,079,394
• Prairie View A&M University — $4,334,301
• SW Christian College — $250,000
• St. Philip's College — $5,404,878
• Texas College — $1,095,504
• Texas Southern University — $4,438,376
• Wiley College — $1,600,510

Virginia

• Hampton University — $2,641,339
• Norfolk State University — $3,312,058
• St. Paul's College — $1,392,751
• Virginia State University — $3,679,066
• Virginia Union University — $1,719,627
• Virginia University of Lynchburg — $500,000

West Virginia

• Bluefield State College — $1,208,548
• West Virginia State University — $1,921,352

U.S. Virgin Islands

• University of Virgin Islands — $1,650,898