Feb 15, 2025 Story by: Editor
Howard University has been officially recognized as a Research One (R1) institution by the American Council of Education due to its “very high research spending and doctorate production.” This milestone marks a historic achievement, making Howard the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to receive this distinction, a significant advancement in the role of HBCUs within American higher education.
Commitment to Research and Innovation
Expressing pride in this accomplishment, Howard University President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., highlighted the institution’s dedication to research and innovation. “Howard University’s achievement of R1 status demonstrates our research capacity and reaffirms our deep commitment to tackling society’s most pressing questions through cutting-edge scholarship and technological innovation,” he said. Vinson also underscored the university’s leadership in shaping the future of HBCUs while ensuring that research benefits extend to historically overlooked and underrepresented communities.
Exceeding Research Benchmarks
To earn an R1 classification, universities must allocate at least $50 million annually to research and development and confer a minimum of 70 research doctorates per year. In Fiscal Year 2023, Howard University far exceeded these requirements, awarding 96 doctorates across multiple disciplines and investing nearly $85 million in research. Additionally, Howard holds the top national ranking for awarding the most doctorates to Black students.
Advancing Cutting-Edge Research
Howard’s growing reputation in research is reflected in its contributions to fields such as defense research, sickle cell disease, electric mobility, and artificial intelligence/machine learning. Highlighting the university’s research excellence, Bruce A. Jones, Ph.D., Howard professor and senior vice president for research, stated, “Howard’s track-record of research prowess and success are evident in the numbers.”
Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, emphasized the broader impact of this recognition, stating, “This announcement highlights the tremendous cutting-edge research being done at the university by first-class faculty and researchers. The R-1 designation announcement is a win for Howard but also for the entire HBCU ecosystem and is a clear demonstration of the results of intentional investments to benefit not only the universities themselves, but our nation as a whole. With continued federal investments, we look forward to additional HBCUs joining Howard with an R-1 designation in the next cycle.”
Howard University’s attainment of R1 status cements its leadership in research among HBCUs, setting a new benchmark for academic excellence and societal impact. Source: HBCU BUZZ
