DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company Fund are encouraging students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to submit proposals in a competition to earn scholarships while also contributing to their communities. Up to $75,000 in scholarships and university and community grants will be awarded to the winning student team and project.

Now in its second year, the HBCU Community Challenge – an extension of a signature Ford Fund education program, Ford College Community Challenge – is being conducted in collaboration with the Tom Joyner and Rickey Smiley morning shows. Both radio shows will support efforts to generate awareness around the program within the community. The program seeks to encourage students to design community projects that address pressing local needs. The theme is "Building Sustainable Communities."

Each proposal should creatively address a pressing community need that focuses on at least one of these areas – mobility, alternative energy, sustainability/water, and systematic approaches to meeting community needs. Student and university scholarships will be awarded to the winning team, with each winning project being awarded a grant for teams to implement their innovative work.

Three teams will be selected to present their proposals to a panel of judges that includes radio personality Tom Joyner and Ford executives at Ford World Headquarters in December.

"Last year's program was such a success for us," said Shawn Thompson, manager, Ford Multicultural Marketing. "All of the teams came to Dearborn with not only a great deal of creativity, but with an infectious energy around wanting to improve their communities. We look forward to another exciting program."

Howard University, Fayetteville State University, Tuskegee University and Huston-Tillotson University were the finalists in last year's challenge. Huston-Tillotson University won first place with its innovative Dumpster Project.

Interested students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities can learn more about the competition and submit their proposals by visiting www.blackamericaweb.com/hbcuchallenge or www.rickeysmileymorningshow.com/hbcuchallenge, between now and Nov. 9.

"Ford Fund is committed to empowering future leaders through community programs," said Pamela Alexander, director, Community Development, Ford Fund. "We are truly excited to team up for the second year with the Tom Joyner and Rickey Smiley morning shows to bring this innovative initiative to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities community. We look forward to receiving and reviewing the student proposals."

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company