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H.R. 8791: Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for HBCU Excellence Act

This bill, known as the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for HBCU Excellence Act (IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act), aims to support the long-term improvement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through financial grants. Here is a summary of its key provisions:

Grant Authorization

The Secretary of Education is authorized to award competitive grants to eligible HBCUs to help improve their facilities.
Each grant duration will be determined individually based on the application's information.
Entities may apply for multiple grants under this bill.

Grant Application Requirements

To apply for a grant, eligible entities must submit an application that includes:

Information for the Secretary to assess the application.
A description of projects to be funded and how they meet long-term goals.
How projects will enhance safety and health on campus.
The age of existing facilities and a maintenance plan if seeking repairs.

Priority Criteria

In awarding grants, the Secretary will prioritize entities that:

Demonstrate significant need for facility improvements based on various factors, including proximity to toxic sites, disaster vulnerability, and student capacity issues.
Show limited ability to raise funds for improvements.
Enroll a high percentage of students eligible for Federal Pell Grants.

Geographic Distribution and Technical Assistance

The Secretary shall ensure that grants are distributed geographically across the U.S. and may provide technical assistance to help entities qualify for and apply for the grants.