Clark Atlanta University (CAU) has been awarded a $9.78 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of War (DoW) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority-Serving Institutions Program to expand the University’s STEM research capacity, strengthen its talent pipeline and increase participation in research tied to DoW critical technology areas (CTAs). The “Strengthening Participation & Academic and Research Capacity (SPARC) in STEM at CAU to Support DoW CTAs” initiative will focus particularly on applied artificial intelligence and provide resources to CAU’s Chemistry, Cyber-Physical Systems, Mathematics and Physics departments. Funding will support new and current faculty, graduate students and undergraduate researchers, as well as research development, AI-related curriculum development and opportunities to build research partnerships. “This significant investment strengthens Clark Atlanta University’s research enterprise while expanding opportunities for our faculty and students in some of the nation’s most important emerging technology fields,” said **George T. French Jr., Ph.D.,** president of Clark Atlanta University. “It advances our commitment to preparing the next generation of scientists, researchers and innovators.” “Through SPARC in STEM, we are expanding the academic and research experiences that prepare our students to lead in high-demand STEM fields,” said **Charlene D. Gilbert, Ph.D.,** provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at CAU. “This investment strengthens our faculty, our programs and the pathways from the classroom to advanced research and careers.” The project will be led by **Frances Williams, Ph.D., principal investigator and project director**, and **Eric Mintz, Ph.D., co-principal investigator** and assistant director. **Teri Platt, Ph.D.,** will lead **research development activities**, and **Charmayne Patterson, Ph.D.,** will lead **faculty development**. “SPARC in STEM gives CAU the resources to grow research capacity while creating meaningful pathways for students to participate in high-impact research in defense-related areas,” said **Williams.** “That investment in faculty, students and infrastructure will have an impact well beyond the life of the grant.” The award was made through the DoW “Pilot Program to Increase Research Capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority-Serving Institutions,” authorized under 10 U.S.C. 4144. The project will also support CAU’s continued growth as a Carnegie R2 research university and its long-term goal of advancing to R1 status. For more information, visit www.cau.edu. **About Clark Atlanta University** Clark Atlanta University (CAU) was formed in 1988 through the consolidation of Atlanta University founded in 1865 and Clark College founded in 1869. Atlanta University, established by the American Missionary Association, was the nation's first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, founded by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (now the United Methodist Church), was the nation's first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. CAU maintains an affiliation with the United Methodist Church and is the largest of the four institutions comprising the Atlanta University Center Consortium and the largest of the UNCF member institutions. As an R2 Carnegie-classified research university, CAU offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, public administration, social work, and innovative fields such as cyber-physical systems. CAU is home to WCLK 91.9 FM, the only member-supported, NPR-affiliated jazz and public radio station in Georgia, and the CAU Art Museum, one of the most significant permanent collections of African American modern and traditional African diaspora art in the southern United States. CAU competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), with athletics programs including basketball, football, volleyball, softball, baseball, tennis, track and field, cross country, and golf. The university is ranked among top HBCUs by LinkedIn, U.S. News & World Report, and the Wall Street Journal. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit [www.cau.edu](http://www.cau.edu/). - [ Institutional Advancement ](/news?category=11) ## For Media Inquiries For media inquiries please contact Clark Atlanta University at [404-703-2914](tel:404-703-2914)