Alabama A&M University has been named by Apple as a recipient of its new Innovation Grant. A&M is one of four HBCUs to be awarded the grant; the others are Howard University, Morgan State and Prairie View A&M.

The $5 million Innovation Grant, which will be evenly shared by the four universities, is designed to support HBCU Colleges of Engineering develop their silicon and hardware technologies curriculum in partnership with Apple’s experts. The three-year grant was announced this year as part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

“As the leader in producing minority STEM graduates in Alabama and being among the top four HBCUs nationally with this designation, Alabama A&M is excited about this opportunity to partner with Apple to strengthen our engineering programs and enhance our student pipeline into the workforce,” said Alabama A&M President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr.

“The Apple Innovation Grant will enhance the educational objectives and student success metrics in Electrical Engineering programs here at AAMU and will provide opportunities for AAMU’s programs related to Apple’s New Silicon Initiative,” said Dr. Zhengtao Deng, Alabama A&M University Interim Dean and Professor, College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences. “We greatly appreciate Apple’s support to AAMU’s STEM education initiatives.”

Alabama A&M University’s Innovation Grant will provide funding and other support from Apple for lab space, guest lectures, scholarships and fellowships, faculty training, curriculum support, and more. The grant is part of Apple’s broader New Silicon Initiative, designed to inspire and prepare students to pursue careers in cutting-edge and fast-growing hardware engineering fields.

“The HBCU community is home to incredible black talent and we are thrilled to work alongside these universities to enhance the opportunities for their students,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “We know many jobs of the future will be in innovative areas like silicon engineering and we want to help ensure the leaders of tomorrow have access to transformational learnings opportunities.”