An ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will examine defense-related STEM activities at HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions, with a primary focus on engineering and research and development activities, and provide recommendations that identify 1) actions that may be taken by the Secretary of Defense, Congress, HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions, and other agencies or organizations to increase the participation of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions in defense-related research activities, and 2) a set of specific goals, incentives, and metrics to increase and measure the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions to address DoD’s engineering and research and development needs.
The study shall include the following:

1. 1) Summaries of the assessments provided in previous related National Academies reports, including assessments of:
   a) the engineering and research and development capabilities of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions, including the workforce and physical research infrastructure;
   b) the ability of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions to participate in defense-related engineering and research and development activities; and
   c) the ability of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions to compete effectively for defense-related engineering and research and development contracts.
2. An assessment of the activities and investments necessary:
   a) to elevate HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions to R1 status on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education;
   b) to increase the participation of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions in defense-related engineering and research and development activities;
   c) to expand the support provided by the DoD and defense-related industries to HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions to include the development or enhancement of grant and contract administration capabilities; and
   d) to increase the ability of such institutions to effectively compete for defense-related engineering and research and development contracts (HBCU/TCU/HSI/etc.) targeted and open funding opportunities) through the identification of the necessary infrastructure to carry out research in subject areas deemed in-demand by the DoD.
3. A set of specific goals, incentives, and metrics to increase and measure the capacity of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions to address the engineering, research, and development needs of the DoD, including:
   a) Strategies for the provision of long-term institutional support to HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions including an assessment of DoD staffing dedicated to engagement with HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions, the development and enhancement of the physical research infrastructure and research activities at HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions, and the expansion of grant and contract administration capabilities of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions
   b) Methods to strengthen support for HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions within and across military departments and other organizations, including the identification of new grant solicitation evaluation options;
   c) Plans to improve data collection with respect to HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions applying for and/or receiving support from the DoD and other federal agencies

The study will result in a final report with the findings and recommendations for action by the Secretary of Defense, Congress, HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other minority-serving institutions, and other organizations. Recommendations may include modifications to relevant legislation or regulations, as well as budgetary changes needed to advance research capacity at minority institutions.