Howard University Is The First HBCU To Earn Coveted Research One Carnegie Classification As It Awards Record Doctorates To Black Students

Howard University has received a new distinction.

According to Diverse Education, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has earned the Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification — a first for an HBCU. Not to mention, such an accomplishment is shared with fewer than 150 universities across the country. The criteria entails that institutions allocate at least $50 million toward research and development and award a minimum of 70 research doctorates, the Carnegie Classification website states.

Howard University surpassed these expectations in fiscal year 2023, allocating just under $85 million in research expenses and awarding 96 doctorates in a variety of fields — the highest number awarded to Black students at any college or university in America, according to Dr. Bruce A. Jones, Howard University’s senior vice president for research.

Dr. Robert T. Palmer, the school’s chair and professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, mentioned, “Howard reaching R1 status is phenomenal. This status will help Howard to attract more highly competitive research grants and talented faculty and students.”

He added that it would also “help to amplify the great work being done by faculty, staff, and students, alumni.”

Dr. Marybeth Gasman, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education and University Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, commented:

“I think it’s incredibly exciting that Howard University — a powerhouse for decades in research — is being recognized as a Research 1 institution. ….I’m excited to see what the institution does to build on this recognition as it progresses. As a Research 1, it will be vital to ensure that all tenure-track faculty are supported through reduced course loads (4 courses a year max), research start-up funds across the disciplines, ample conference travel funding, and that Ph.D. students are supported with fully funded fellowships and assistantships.”

Other HBCUs are currently working towards receiving the Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification, including Morgan State University, Palmer’s alma mater.

“It would be great for HBCUs seeking R1 status to form a coalition and work collectively to support each other towards this goal,” Palmer noted.