AN ACT to appropriate funds to expand the research capacity of the constituent institutions of the university of north carolina identified as historically minority‑serving institutions.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of three million one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($3,150,000) in recurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year to be allocated to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory (Collaboratory) to establish an annual research grant program for each of the following constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina identified as Historically Minority‑Serving Institutions (HMSIs): Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Winston‑Salem State University. The Collaboratory shall award one or more research grants each fiscal year to each of the six HMSI constituent institutions to be used to expand research capacity while being in service to the needs of the State. Each HMSI constituent institution shall receive one or more research grants in an amount of at least two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) each fiscal year, with no individual grant or total of grant awards to exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) in a fiscal year. The Collaboratory may use no more than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) of the funds appropriated pursuant to this section each fiscal year for expenses related to operating and supporting the research grant program, including, but not limited to, personnel, travel, training, data management, technology, and supplies.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.