February 4, 2026
Ms. McClellan (for herself, Ms. Adams, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Fields, Mr. Carson, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Simon, Ms. Sewell, Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Davis of Illinois, and Mr. Vindman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include certain part B institutions to be eligible for certain grants, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act
or the GRAD Act
.
Sec. 2. Graduate education programs
(a) Historically Black colleges and universities
Section 723 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1136a) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the following:
(S)
A part B institution (as defined in section 322) that—
(i)
offers a qualified masters degree program; and
(ii)
is not listed under subparagraphs (A) through (R).; and
(2)
in subsection (f)(3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
(A)
by striking any amount in excess of $9,000,000
and inserting after the application of paragraph (2), any remaining amount
; and
(B)
by striking (R)
and inserting (S)
.
(b) Predominantly Black Institutions
Section 724 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1136b) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the following:
(F)
A Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in section 318) that—
(i)
offers a qualified masters degree program; and
(ii)
is not listed in subparagraphs (A) through (E).; and
(2)
in subsection (f)(3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
(A)
by striking any amount in excess of $2,500,000
and inserting after the application of paragraph (2), any remaining amount
; and
(B)
by striking through (E)
and inserting through (F)
.