The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $15 million to 10 historically Black colleges and universities to help on-campus efforts to test for COVID-19.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the donation was announced Tuesday and will include Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Four other schools will be added to the list, and each school will receive $1.5 million over three years.
The money will go to the Just Project, which is spearheaded by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. to support coronavirus tests at historically Black colleges and universities.
"We absolutely have to reduce the disparities in access to testing, period," said Allan Golston, the president of the Gates Foundation's U.S. program.
"These HBCUs have emerged as leaders on this issue, and we're proud to be supporting them as they work to ensure that this public health crisis does not become an opportunity crisis for their students and communities."
Howard University president Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick said the increased testing is "a major step towards being able to bring students back in a safe environment."
Bill Gates has been outspoken regarding the development of a coronavirus vaccine, even questioning whether the Food and Drug Administration can be trusted with the task.
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