Federal funding for research and other programs at historically black colleges is examined in an effort to determine how successful these programs have been in increasing the numbers and qualifications of black scientists. Data were obtained from agencies of the federal government, the United Negro College Fund, and the Institute for Services to Education. The data indicate that a majority of the federal funding for programs at black colleges was provided by the Atomic Energy Commission, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Although funding levels in general have increased during recent years, the data also indicate that funding levels to specific groupings of institutions such as private colleges have either leveled off or dropped. The National Science Foundation funded programs at only 29.4 percent of the private black colleges in 1976 compared to 58.8 percent in 1974. The data also indicate that more black graduates are being accepted to graduate schools, that the number of students enrolled at black institutions has increased, and that the number of graduates majoring in social sciences has also grown. Higher funding levels are recommended to meet the needs of this increasing pool of black students and institutions and to encourage black students to study science. (SF)