Representative Foushee Introduces HBCU AI Research Leadership Act to Mandate AI Institute Partnerships
Representative Valerie Foushee introduced the HBCU Artificial Intelligence Research Leadership Act on February 27, 2026. This proposed legislation aims to require that 10 percent of all National Science Foundation (NSF) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institutes be either operated by or formally partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). If enacted, this provision would establish a foundational requirement for institutions like Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in all future NSF AI Institute competitions, moving beyond the current cycle. This initiative comes as Texas is experiencing a significant increase in federal AI grants, with a notable strategy of investing in both Tier-1 research institutions and HBCUs. PVAMU, for instance, recently received a substantial $9.86 million grant from the Department of Defense in August 2026 to enhance its AI research capabilities and develop talent for national security missions through 2031. 
