HBCU Fab Lab NetworkNational Fabrication Network

Clark Atlanta University · National Programming Hub

One national network. Every HBCU makerspace, mapped and matched.

The HBCU Fab Lab Network connects a national programming hub, 1890 land-grant state hubs, cooperative extension sites, and education partners — so students, small businesses, and corporations can find the exact machine, skill, or badge they need.

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Network sites
13
States covered
8
Equipment types
14
Lead hub
CAU

Network architecture

Five tiers, one pipeline

Tier 1

National Programming Hub

Clark Atlanta University sets curriculum, standards, and the badge framework for the network.

1 site

Tier 2

State Hub (1890 Land-Grant)

1890 land-grant HBCUs run statewide programming and support every site in their state.

8 sites

Tier 3

Cooperative Extension Site

Extension offices deliver regional access, outreach, and mobile making capacity.

0 sites

Tier 4

Community College / High School

Education sites where students build foundational fabrication skills and earn badges.

0 sites

Tier 5

Industry Partner

Industry partners that bring project needs, share expertise, and host advanced work.

0 sites

Students

Find the closest lab, see which machines are on the floor, and stack badges for hands-on learning.

Browse badges

Small business

Prototype, test, and produce short runs with HBCU labs — search by equipment capability instead of cold-calling.

Search equipment

Corporations & industry

Bring projects, capability needs, and collaboration opportunities to the network's hub institutions.

Submit a request

Built on real capacity

Every site publishes its own machine list

Site administrators pick from a shared equipment catalog — 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, vinyl cutters, electronics benches, textiles, and more — using a simple checklist. The map, filters, and search update instantly, so the network always reflects what is actually on the shop floor.

  • Shared equipment catalog with per-site quantities and notes
  • Badge and certification requirements published per site
  • Tier-aware map filters by state, capability, and audience

Featured hubs