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Board approves $400,000 for higher‑education grants for architecture, design and engineering programs
Summary
The Tennessee Board of Architecture and Engineering Examiners’ Grants to Higher Education Committee approved distribution of the board’s full $400,000 allocation to college programs across the state after a routine review and unanimous committee vote.
The Tennessee Board of Architecture and Engineering Examiners approved distribution of $400,000 in grants intended for architecture, interior design and engineering programs at state universities and colleges.
Committee members said the applicants followed the board’s established protocols and that the total of approved requests equaled the committee’s budgeted allocation. Alton Hepco, a member of the Grants to Higher Education Committee, told the board the spreadsheets and calculations checked out and the total came to $400,000.
The grants program provides state funding to academic programs for student support, FE/IDFX/NCIDQ exam subsidies, equipment and experiential learning. The committee said it reviewed 19 proposals this cycle. Committee members cited growth in enrollment and the need to support exam prep and hands‑on laboratory experiences as central to award decisions.
Representatives from several colleges addressed the board during the meeting to summarize how prior awards were used and to highlight program growth. Speakers included doctoral and academic program leaders from East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, University of Memphis, Vanderbilt University and other institutions; they described use of prior funds for lecture series, FE exam support, lab equipment, student travel and student competitions.
Brian Tibbs moved approval of the committee’s allocation recommendation; Dr. Ash seconded. Committee members signified unanimous approval.
The board staff said award notices and any required contracting paperwork will be issued after the minutes are finalized and processing steps complete. The committee chair said the awards generally aim to distribute funds equitably across program sizes and disciplines so smaller programs also receive meaningful support.
Board staff noted the grants panel will reconvene next year to repeat the selection process.
