UNCF Expands Project ACCLAIM with $350K Seed Grants, Scaling HBCU Investment Funds Nationally
Event summary
- UNCF launched the third cohort application for Project ACCLAIM, a work-integrated learning initiative for HBCUs.
- A new seed-grant program offers up to $350K over two years for six additional HBCUs to establish student-managed investment funds.
- Project ACCLAIM has expanded from two initial institutions (Morehouse College and Howard University) in fall 2025 to four by February 2026, with each receiving $4M for their funds.
- The initiative aims to diversify the asset management industry by providing HBCU students with real-world capital management experience.
The big picture
UNCF's expansion of Project ACCLAIM reflects a strategic push to institutionalize work-integrated learning in asset management across HBCUs. The initiative addresses historical underrepresentation in finance while leveraging philanthropic capital to build sustainable educational models. With $4M funds and operational support per institution, the program could reshape career readiness and wealth-building pathways for minority professionals.
What we're watching
- Scalability Challenge
- Whether UNCF can sustain the pace of expansion while maintaining program quality across diverse HBCU institutions.
- Funding Sustainability
- How the seed-grant model will incentivize long-term financial self-reliance for participating schools.
- Industry Impact
- The pace at which Project ACCLAIM graduates enter and influence top-tier financial sectors, closing racial wealth gaps.