Jackson State University Secures $7.5 Million Federal Research Grant

JACKSON, Miss. — Jackson State University has been named a recipient of a $7.5 million federal research grant from the U.S. Department of War's HBCU/Minority-Serving Institutions Program, a major investment that further cements JSU's standing as one of the nation's premier research-active historically Black universities. The award positions the university among an elite group of just 10 HBCUs and minority-serving institutions selected nationwide for the highly competitive program.

The grant is designed to increase the institutions' capacity to conduct nationally significant, defense-relevant research. For Jackson State — founded in 1877 and officially designated as Mississippi's Urban University — the funding represents both recognition of the research excellence already underway on campus and a springboard for expanding the pipeline of talented STEM scholars who will help solve some of the country's most pressing scientific challenges.

The investment will directly benefit students working on the cutting edge of science.

Research grants of this magnitude matter deeply to HBCU students and alumni. They fund graduate assistantships, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, and create the mentorship environments where the next generation of Black scientists and engineers are trained. They also strengthen partnerships with federal agencies and private-sector employers who are actively seeking to diversify their technical talent — a mission that sits at the heart of the HBCU Connect community.

Jackson State's success is a reminder of the outsized role HBCUs play in advancing American innovation while opening doors of opportunity for students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields. As the only public university in the Jackson metropolitan area, JSU continues to enhance the state, nation, and world through comprehensive economic development, healthcare, technological, and educational initiatives.

Want to be part of this momentum? Students and alumni can explore research opportunities, internships, and STEM careers with employers who value HBCU talent by visiting hbcuconnect.com/jobs and uploading a resume at hbcuconnect.com/resumes. To learn more about Jackson State University, visit www.jsums.edu and follow @JacksonStateU across social platforms.