Medgar Evers College Awarded $1 Million Grant
Congress member Yvette Clarke secures grant for environmental research project
Crown Heights, February 12, 2026: Medgar Evers College/CUNY was awarded a $1,000,000 federal grant as a result of the support and recommendation of Congress member Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). The Community Funding Project (CFP) proposal was submitted by Sandie Han, Ph.D., Dean of the Medgar Evers College School of Science and Allied Health.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents New York’s 9th Congressional District, is an advocate for Medgar Evers College and a champion of educational access and opportunity in Central Brooklyn.
“Medgar Evers College has been a longstanding cornerstone of opportunity for Central Brooklyn, and a strong supporter of initiatives and programs throughout the borough. I’m proud to have secured $1 million in FIPSE funding to support the school’s Advancing Scientific Research and Workforce Development Initiative,” said Congresswoman Clarke. She underscored the significance of the grant:
“This funding will expand access to cutting-edge research, strengthen STEM education, and prepare our students for the high-skilled and paying jobs of the future. When we invest in PBIs and higher education institutions, which are the backbone of our community, like Medgar Evers, we are investing directly in equity, innovation, and the next generation of leaders who will drive our economy forward here in Brooklyn and across this country.”
The funding will be used to launch a pilot initiative centered on the following:
- Scientific Innovation & Research
Students will conduct applied environmental research focused on water quality, air pollution, and the urban heat island effect across Central and East Brooklyn, generating data that address local environmental and public health challenges. - STEM Education & Training
Students will receive hands-on training using state-of-the-art instrumentation, participate in field-based learning, and collaborate with faculty and external experts to build technical expertise and prepare for leadership roles in environmental science and related fields. - Community Engagement & Workforce Development
A community environmental awareness initiative engages residents in monitoring local conditions, promotes health literacy, and supports workforce skill development. These efforts aim to address cumulative health impacts while fostering community-driven solutions to environmental challenges.
The initiative includes a summer exploratory experience that introduces students to environmental science through hands-on learning and experiential activities, followed by a year-long research program that provides in-depth training, advanced skills development, and meaningful field experience. Together, these components are designed to prepare students for future academic pathways and careers in environmental and related fields. In addition to student-focused programming, the initiative will engage the broader community through environmental health education and workforce development activities that promote awareness, build capacity, and support long-term community impact.
For Dr. Patricia Ramsey, Medgar Evers College president who is also the school’s first scientist and woman to lead this institution of higher learning, this funding is both timely and greatly appreciated.
“We are thrilled to receive this $1 million grant for environmental initiatives to aid our community. I want to thank Dr. Sandie Han for writing a great proposal and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for championing this project. Not only will this grant support faculty and student research but will make a lasting environmental impact on the community that Medgar Evers College serves.”
Dr. Han expressed her gratitude to Congresswoman Clarke, Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Earl Simons for their advocacy and support of this initiative. She also acknowledged the faculty and staff of the School of Science and Allied Health, particularly those in the Chemistry and Environmental Science Department, for their dedication in bringing this opportunity to students.
“This initiative will be an interdisciplinary effort across departments to engage students in scientific research, expand workforce development opportunities, and partner with our communities to address environmental challenges,” said Dr. Han. “We are excited to move this work forward and translate research and training into real-world outcomes.”
For more information, please contact David Gil de Rubio in the Medgar Evers College Communications Department at dgilderubio@mec.cuny.edu or at 718-270-6193.
About Medgar Evers College
Located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Medgar Evers College offers both associate and baccalaureate degrees. A four-year college within the City University of New York (CUNY) system, Medgar Evers College was established in 1970 with a mandate to meet the educational and social needs of the Central Brooklyn community. In its commitment to providing students with a sound academic foundation as well as an opportunity for personal development, Medgar Evers College offers high-quality, professional, career-oriented undergraduate degree programs in the context of a liberal arts education. For more information, visit www.mec.cuny.edu.