February is also recognized as Black History Month.
"This support for the 1890 land-grant universities is an example of the Obama Administration and Secretary Vilsack's commitment to the 1890 Institutions," Leonard said in a release. "This funding will continue to positively impact students, professors, and institutions for future generations."
Some schools that could be eligible for grants include Virginia State University, Kentucky State University, Prairie View A&M University and University of the District of Columbia.
The schools seem to excel in research areas such as sustainable agriculture and agriculture economics, biomedical science and animal sciences.
The funding for the schools is coming from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) 1890 Institution, Research, Extension, and Teaching Capacity Building Grants Program.
The schools were deemed as land-grant universities under the Second Morrill Act in 1890.
Applications and eligibility details must be submitted by Thursday, March 26, 2015.
Grants binder