The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is celebrating a major milestone in federal support for its mission: the inclusion of $6.2 million in Community Project Funding for UDC in the FY 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill as recently passed by Congress. Championing this effort, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton secured the funding to directly support UDC’s strategic goals and capital investments.
“This investment represents a powerful vote of confidence in UDC’s mission, momentum and future,” said President Maurice D. Edington. “We are sincerely grateful to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for her support of UDC and her advocacy on behalf of DC residents. Her efforts in advancing this funding will allow us to modernize critical facilities, deepen workforce pathways and expand research capacity, ensuring our students are prepared for opportunity while delivering meaningful outcomes for the District.”
What’s Funded
- Research ($2.0M): Modernization of labs at UDC’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and College of Arts and Sciences, expanding capacity in AI, cybersecurity, quantum science and data science. These enhancements will support District-aligned research and create new experiential learning opportunities.
- Firebird Farm ($1.2M): Continued development of UDC’s 143-acre research farm in Beltsville, reinforcing its land-grant mission and engaging more students in sustainable agriculture and environmental innovation.
- Food Hubs ($2.0M): Facility improvements to strengthen local food systems, workforce development and applied learning, bridging classroom learning with real-world impact.
- Aviation ($1.0M): Upgrades to UDC’s aviation workforce training site at Reagan National Airport, supporting access to high-demand careers in aviation technology and maintenance.
“The University of the District of Columbia is a cornerstone of opportunity for Washingtonians, and this $6.2 million investment from Congress will help ensure UDC continues to be able to deliver for students pursuing higher education in DC,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I want to thank Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for her leadership in securing this funding, which will modernize facilities, strengthen workforce pipelines, and expand research capacity in high-demand fields. These investments reinforce UDC’s role as a world-class public university and an engine for economic mobility, innovation and community impact.”
The new funding directly advances the priorities outlined in UDC’s five-year strategic plan, Delivering on the Promise by modernizing facilities to elevate academic excellence; expanding pipelines into high-demand sectors like STEM, agriculture and aviation to improve workforce readiness and economic mobility; and deepening UDC’s research capacity to address urgent District and national priorities — from sustainability and infrastructure to public health and security.
Said Edington, “We look forward to implementing these upgrades and translating this welcome new investment into measurable outcomes for students, workforce development and community resilience, further advancing our role as the District’s public university and economic engine as UDC marks 175 years of service to the District.”