Hoyer, Adams Statement on New Department of Energy Funding for Bowie State University
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus, commended the Department of Energy for announcing $599,990 in new funding for Bowie State University (BSU). The funding is part of a $70 million investment through the Department of Energy's Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative to create more research and leadership opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in key STEM fields.
These federal resources will help advance the Mobilizing the Emerging Diverse AI Talent (MEDAL) project at BSU. MEDAL aims to support faculty, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students working on artificial intelligence research related to the Department of Energy's mission at BSU and other education institutions serving historically disadvantaged communities. BSU's MEDAL project is one of 20 programs being funded at 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the RENEW initiative. RENEW is also funding similar work at 40 other colleges and universities that serve minority students.
“Investing in America means investing in all of America,” said Congressman Hoyer. “If we want to maintain our economic and scientific competitiveness in the twenty-first century, we cannot afford to squander the talent and intellect of the American people. That includes historically underserved Americans whose potential has too often been ignored. I was proud to help secure this federal funding to support Bowie State University and its research into cutting-edge AI technologies. As Maryland's oldest historically Black university and one of our state's finest education institutions, BSU, its students, and its faculty will play a vital role in helping our nation and world overcome the challenges of the twenty-first century. I look forward to supporting them in that work and to promoting greater diversity in STEM education and research throughout America.”
“I am proud to see President Biden’s Department of Energy recognize excellence at Maryland’s oldest HBCU, Bowie State University,” said Congresswoman Adams. “As research institutions, HBCUs like Bowie State are on the cutting edge of technological advancements like artificial intelligence that will influence the 21st century and beyond. Our HBCUs are leaders in STEM, and this funding will go a long way to help Bowie State continue to be one of our leading educational and research institutions.”