Apple awards $5 million “Innovation Grants” to four Black colleges and universities

Apple is awarding $5 million “Innovation Grants” to four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), part of its broader $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.


KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Four Black universities will get the grants
  • The grants will support engineering school
  • They’ll also help expand hardware technology courses

A photograph showing an aerial view oof the Apple Park headquarters

Apple’s $5M Innovation Grants to 4 HBCUs

According to USA Today, the following universities will receive the grants:

  • Alabama A&M University
  • Howard University
  • Morgan State University
  • Prairie View A&M University

The grants will be issued over the course of three years.

Apple’s goal here is to prepare the next generation of engineers for careers in hardware technology and silicon chip design, engineering, testing and engineering, two strong areas of expertise for the Cupertino firm. Students will be able to interact with Apple engineers.

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 learning opportunities.

And this:

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. 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 learning opportunities.

These grants come from Apple’s $100 million and Justice Initiative, launched in January 2021 as part of Apple’s broad initiatives designed to help dismantle systemic racism.