Hampton University could rejoin Virginia’s land-grant lineup, positioning the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to regain federal funding it lost over a century ago and expand access to programs connected to agriculture, engineering, and other applied sciences. The restoration could also open up opportunities for STEM workforce training, labs, and research, HBCU Game Day reported.

Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) introduced Senate Bill 274 on Jan. 13, 2026 to reinstate the school’s status and funding, and leaders from Hampton University spoke with the Virginia Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on the matter. They told the subcommittee that the school had held land-grant status from 1872 to 1920, according to the outlet.

The federal government’s decision in 1920 to remove the designation rested on the belief that only one Black institution per state could hold land-grant status, leaving Virginia State University, HBCU Game Day shared.

However, Hampton President Darrell Williams told the subcommittee that the restriction is inconsistent with how land-grant systems operate in other states, noting that Alabama has multiple land-grant universities.

“We have been promoting this cause for the last two to three years, because we think it’s fair and just,” Williams said, per the outlet.

The bill also calls for the creation of a dedicated state fund, known as the Hampton University Land-Grant Restoration Fund, to support the restoration.

“Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of supporting the restoration and recognition of Hampton University’s status as a land-grant university through the provision of funding to Hampton University commensurate with the funding provided to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia State University,” the Legislation noted.

What Is Land-Grant Status And Why Does It Matter?

According to HBCU Game Day, Congress created land-grant universities through the Morrill Act of 1862, establishing colleges focused on “practical” fields such as agriculture and mechanics. The exclusion of Black students led to the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which created a network of land-grant HBCUs.

After advancing unanimously out of the Senate’s higher education subcommittee, which Locke chairs, Senate Bill 274 must now clear the General Assembly before heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger for consideration, according to the Virginia Mercury.

“Senate Bill 274 is not designed to revisit the past with grievance, but to complete the historical record and align Virginia’s policies with present-day values and needs,” Locke said, per the outlet.