Two Virginia universities—Radford and Virginia Tech—have received individual $1 million grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to improve their science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) programs.

A total of 511 schools across the country applied for the grant, and only 24 were selected. Other universities that were awarded the 2017 HHMI Inclusive Excellence Initiative Grant include Chaminade University of Honolulu, Delaware State University, Oberlin College, San Francisco State University, and University of Northern Colorado.

The initiative was publicly announced more than two years ago and schools applied by submitting pre-proposals. The pre-proposals were then reviewed by science and science education experts.

Of the 91 schools invited to apply, only 89 submitted full proposals, which were then evaluated by other science experts who determined the 24 universities and colleges who won the award.

Through this initiative, HHMI will support colleges and universities that commit to measurably increasing their infrastructure, resources, and expertise to involve undergraduate students in science, resulting in expanded access to excellence for all students, and especially those who belong to the new majority in American higher education.

This will give the college students in introductory science labs, specifically biology, chemistry and physics, unique learning opportunities so that they’ll learn how to solve problems, work together and create new ideas and new knowledge.

HHMI has been doing grant competitions for colleges and universities since its launch in 1988. This grant, the Inclusive Excellence, is the 17th competition HHMI created.