Indiana University receiving $5.7 million grant from US Department of Defense

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana University will receive a $5.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense.

According to a news release Tuesday, the three-year grant going to IU's Center on Representative Government will enhance the civics education and expand student interest in public service careers. With the grant funding, IU will develop "Democracy Quest," a virtual-reality based interactive learning tool.

"At a time when proficiency in U.S. history and civics among eighth-graders is declining, the IU Center on Representative Government, with the support of our nation’s government leaders, is addressing the need for greater civics education in a head-on and innovative fashion," IU President Pamela Whitten said in a news release.

IU's Center on Representative Government is a nonpartisan educational institution.