Reps. Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) and Alma Adams, PhD (NC-12) introduced the Land-Grant Institution Parity Act, a bill to protect federal funding for land-grant colleges and universities, including the 19 historically Black 1890 land-grant institutions.
“Earlier this year, the Trump Administration suspended funding for historically Black land-grant colleges, but did not pause the same funding for the predominately white land-grant institutions,” said Rep. Figures. “That is simply wrong, and that decision sent a clear message about the vulnerability of programs designed to uplift underserved communities. Under this bill, funding for land-grant institutions will be treated equally and funds cannot be paused, cut, or eliminated without congressional approval. I’m committed to protecting our HBCUs and the students that they serve.”
“The Land-Grant Institution Parity Act is an important step to protect funding for our land-grant HBCUs and build equity in higher education,” said Congresswoman Adams. “1890s schools have always punched above their weight and provided outsized benefits to their students, their research, and their communities. They know how to do more with less, but they shouldn’t have to. It’s time we ensure these institutions of excellence always receive the funding they deserve.”
Under this legislation, federal officials are prohibited from reducing, eliminating, or suspending funding for 1890 land-grant institutions without explicit authorization from Congress. The 1890 National Scholars Program, established in 1992, is a scholarship program for students attending historically Black colleges and universities studying agriculture, food, or natural resource sciences. This bill aims to ensure long-term stability and equity for HBCUs and other land-grant institutions that serve underserved communities.
The original cosponsors for this bill include Reps. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Cleo Fields (LA-04), David Scott (GA-13), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37).
