Georgia Southern University’s (GSU) College of Science and Mathematics is using a grant of $493,065 to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, according to a report from GSU’s Newsroom.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence 3 (IE3) initiative awarded the six-year grant to GSU as well as 103 other schools.

The awarded grants collectively total over $60 million.

The purpose of the grants, according to HHMI, is to “substantially and sustainably build capacity for student belonging, especially for those who have been historically excluded from the sciences.”

Blanton Tolbert, vice president of science leadership and culture for HHMI, emphasized that “[s]ustaining advances in diversity and inclusion requires a scientific culture that is centered on equity.”