American Council of Learned Societies Awards 2026 ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Grants

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is pleased to announce the 2026 awardees of the ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowship and Grant Program, which supports exceptional research by faculty in the humanities and interpretive social sciences at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Eight fellows will receive up to $50,000 each to support long-term engagement with a research project. Twelve grantees will receive up to $10,000 each to support project development and smaller scale research projects.

"This year's 20 awards support faculty at 18 different HBCUs—large and small, private and public," said Nike Nivar Ortiz, ACLS Program Officer in US Programs. "The breadth of institutions, scholarly fields, and research methods represented in this year's awardees shows the depth of the scholarship found across the HBCU system. ACLS is proud to continue our support for faculty at HBCUs, which play a pivotal role in American higher education and history."

This year's awarded projects take up local HBCU and community histories, pressing national issues, key literary figures, and complex transnational movements. Funded projects include a history of the African American Union soldiers who founded Lincoln University of Missouri; an examination of women's political participation in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1930-1965; an exploration of the moral, economic, and legal case for Black reparations; and a study of marginalized perspectives in African diasporic opera. The research spans a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including African American studies, linguistics, philosophy, religious studies, and theater and performance studies.

Learn more about the 2026 ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellows and ACLS HBCU Faculty Grantees and their projects.

Now in its third year, the program was developed in consultation with HBCU faculty and administrators to attend to the unique teaching and service commitments of faculty at HBCUs. The awards include networking and professional development opportunities, as well as an additional grant of $2,500 to the awardee's home institution to support humanities programming or infrastructure.

The ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowship and Grant Program is funded primarily by the ACLS endowment, which has benefited from the generous support of esteemed funders, institutional members, and individual donors since our founding in 1919.

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 81 scholarly organizations. As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, ACLS upholds the core principle that knowledge is a public good. In supporting its member organizations, ACLS expands the forms, content, and flow of scholarly knowledge, reflecting our commitment to diversity of identity and experience. ACLS collaborates with institutions, associations, and individuals to strengthen the evolving infrastructure for scholarship.

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Trump’s Unlawful Voter Suppression Executive Order

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on Trump’s Unlawful Voter Suppression Executive Order:

“Right now, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are deploying every tactic imaginable to suppress the power of the people in a desperate effort to maintain control in Washington. The executive order signed by President Trump is an unlawful and unconstitutional attempt to dictate who in this country is allowed to vote.

“This sweeping order would allow the Trump Administration to unilaterally determine voter eligibility, intimidate state election officials through politically motivated investigations, and jeopardize the privacy of millions of law-abiding Americans. It would also disenfranchise Black and other minority voters, women, young people, individuals with disabilities, and older Americans.

“The order directs federal agencies to compile lists of eligible voters in each state and instructs the U.S. Postal Service to distribute mail ballots only to so-called ‘verified’ voters, which raises serious concerns about access, fairness, and federal overreach.

“Donald Trump and Republicans know their policies have failed the American people. That is why they are working to weaken the Voting Rights Act and advance voter suppression legislation like the SAVE Act in a continued effort to cling to power.

“There is no scenario in which this unlawful, anti-democratic, and authoritarian executive order will not go unchallenged to the fullest extent of the law.”

NAACP Calls for Fair Elections Practices in Response to Trump Executive Order Limiting Mail-in Voting

President Trump signed an executive order limiting mail-in ballots to an approved list of absentee voters. The Department of Homeland Security in collaboration the Social Security Administration have been tasked with creating the approved list of voters who will receive a mail-in ballot by the U.S. Postal Service. The executive order also threatens to withhold federal funding for any state who does not comply.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO shared the following response:

"Americans in every corner of our country, rural and urban, Black and white, rich and poor, healthy and infirm, civilian and servicemember, have participated in mail-in voting for decades without issue. Trump himself cast a mail-in ballot in Florida's most recent elections. This executive order is a sham.  Like mid-decade racial gerrymandering, the unlawful seizing of ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, and the SAVE Act's modern-day poll tax requirements, this executive order is intended to sow chaos and discourage voter participation in the midterm elections. We will continue to turn to the courts to ensure that everyone can have voice in our elections."

For more information on the NAACP's work to protect voting rights, visit our website.

POP CHAIRMAN LAWRENCE HAMM TO VISIT SITE OF KING SHOOTING ON ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ASSASSINATION

People’s Organization For Progress chairman Lawrence Hamm will visit the site where Dr Martin Luther King Jr was shot and killed on the anniversary of his assassination.

Hamm will be flying to Memphis, Tennessee tomorrow to participate in a commemoration of the life of the slain civil rights leader that will take place at the National Civil Rights Museum.

The museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel where King was shot and killed. Tomorrow will mark the 58th anniversary of his assassination.

Dr King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis. He was shot after 6:00pm while standing on the balcony outside his room at the Lorraine Motel. King was pronounced dead at 7:05pmat St Joseph Hospital.

“The People’s Organization For Progress is sending me to the King commemoration taking place at the site of his assassination to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the goals and ideals for which he stood,” Hamm stated.

“This visit is especially important at this time since everything that Dr King fought for including racial equality, economic justice, civil rights, voting rights, human rights, and peace are under attack from President Trump, the MAGA Republican Congress, and the ultra right wing super majority on the Supreme Court,” he said.

“The Trump Administration is trying to destroy the last vestiges of everything Dr King and the Civil Rights Movement fought for and achieved,” he said.

At the time of his death King was in Memphis to lend his support to the city’s striking sanitation workers who were trying to organize a union and negotiate for higher wages and safer working conditions.

He was also planning a Poor People’s March that was to take place during June of that year in Washington DC.

“We believe that King was assassinated because he was trying to build a movement to end poverty, racial and economic inequality, and the war in Vietnam,” Hamm said.

“He was expanding the scope of his movement from civil rights to human rights. And he became increasingly critical of the capitalist economic system,” he said.

“Dr King called for a redistribution of power and wealth in this country and the transformation of our socioeconomic system. This is no secret. It’s in his speeches, his writings, and his books,” he said.

“He was seen as a threat to the system by many of those in power. I believe that’s why they killed him,” he said.

“Dr King his gone but his struggle continues. The best way to honor him is for those of us who are here to continue his fight for justice,” Hamm said.

The People’s Organization For Progress has celebrated King’s birthday and commemorated the anniversary of his assassination since the organization was founded in 1982.

HBCUs Compete for Over $500,000 and National Championship Title at 37th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

Teams from 32 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have earned spots in the National Championship Tournament of the 37th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America's premier academic competition for HBCUs. Top scholars will compete next month for the HCASC championship and a $100,000 grand prize, part of more than $500,000 in institutional grants Honda will award to participating HBCUs this year.

The "Thrilling 32" HBCU teams excelled in February's national qualifying tournaments and now advance to the 2026 HCASC National Championship Tournament, held near the regional corporate headquarters of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in Torrance. The final games will be streamed on Thursday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m. PDT: https://www.youtube.com/hcascnct. 

"Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has served as a national stage for HBCU scholars for nearly 40 years, providing scholarships, opportunities and experiences that inspire students to grow and become the next generation of leaders," said Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge project lead at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda is committed to driving the legacy of HBCUs by connecting generations of current students, alumni and HCASC supporters through a shared passion for learning and the bonds it creates."

Since its launch in 1989, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has supported over 180,000 HBCU students in achieving their dreams. Each year, Honda awards institutional grants that help participating HBCUs fund scholarships, student development initiatives and facility enhancements.

A Legacy of Academic Excellence, Culture and Community

Now in its 37th season, the year-round Honda Campus All-Star Challenge encourages students to expand their knowledge across diverse subjects while building their leadership and teamwork skills. The program continues a proud HBCU legacy of celebrating academic achievement and culture. Beyond the competition, HCASC has evolved into a multigenerational community that fosters belonging, confidence, mentorship, and school pride.

During HCASC gameplay, teams of four students compete in an exhilarating head-to-head showdown, rapidly answering questions on topics that include African American literature and history, current affairs, economics, fine arts, geography, government, pop culture, science, and more.

Competing against peers from other HBCUs provides students opportunities to network, receive mentorship from HCASC alumni and Honda associates, and create "Friends for Life." Honda also offers development seminars and career-focused programming to help students succeed after graduation.

The "Thrilling 32" HBCUs Competing for the HCASC Championship Title

Teams from the following HBCUs are gearing up to compete in the 2026 HCASC National Championship Tournament in Torrance, California:

Alabama A&M University
Alabama State University
Albany State University
Benedict College
Clark Atlanta University
Dillard University
Fisk University
Florida A&M University
Fort Valley State University
Hampton University
Howard University
Kentucky State University
Langston University
Lincoln University-Pennsylvania
Livingstone College
Mississippi Valley State University
Morehouse College
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Central University
Oakwood University
Paul Quinn College
Prairie View A&M University
Southern University - Baton Rouge
Spelman College
Stillman College
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of the District of Columbia
Virginia State University
Winston-Salem State University

Fast Facts

• Recent HCASC national champions include Hampton University (2025), Oakwood University (2024) and Stillman College (2023).
  
  
• Only one school (Morehouse College) has qualified for all 37 HCASC National Championship Tournaments.
  
  
• The HCASC game format consists of three face-off rounds with bonus questions, and the fast-paced Ultimate Challenge round, where any team can make an exciting comeback to win.
  
  
• Students dedicate hundreds of hours studying topics ranging from history and science to geography and pop culture.
  
  
• More than 90% of student participants say HCASC has helped them build "Friends for Life."
  
  
• 89 HBCUs are eligible to participate in HCASC, representing 20 states and the District of Columbia.
  
  
• HCASC alumni are making their mark worldwide, excelling in science, engineering, medicine, media, aeronautics, education, industry, and government fields.

Follow the journeys of the "Thrilling 32" HBCU teams to the HCASC National Championship on the HCASC Facebook, Instagram, Threads and TikTok. HBCUs interested in the HCASC program can email hcascstaff@hcasc.com for more information.

About Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students for over 35 years, through programs such as the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These initiatives have impacted the lives of more than 350,000 students and provided over $16 million in grants toward HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

Through its "Drive the Legacy" initiative, Honda partners with HBCUs and organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, National Urban League, and local UNCF chapters, to offer development opportunities to HBCU students and recruit top talent for its future workforce. Honda also supports initiatives of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus to bring together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships.

Notice: Although the information included in this press release is accurate as of the date of publication, this information is subject to change at any time without notice. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. assumes no responsibility for updating this information.

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.