Howard is on the cusp of a historic achievement that will redefine its role in higher education.
Attaining R1 status, the highest level of research activity in the Carnegie Classification system, represents an extraordinary milestone. Out of nearly 6,000 colleges and universities in the United States, only 146—just 2.4 percent—hold this designation.
Howard is projected to regain R1 status in spring 2025 during the Carnegie Classification’s update, which occurs every three years and will reflect the university’s recent advancements in research and doctoral education. The Carnegie Classification is a framework used to categorize colleges and universities in the United States based on their degree offerings, research activity, and institutional focus.
“Achieving R1 status is about more than just prestige; it’s a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our faculty, students and administration,” Bruce Jones, Howard’s senior vice president of research said.
The impact of R1 status on Howard would elevate the university’s reputation as the only HBCU to reach this status, enhance its ability to recruit top-tier faculty and students and foster unparalleled opportunities for research and innovation.
“Getting to R1 means all hands on deck. Every dean, every department chair and every college has to contribute to ensure our research meets the highest standards,” Jones said. “Unlike many R1 institutions, we are focused on research that not only drives innovation but also addresses social, political and economic challenges impacting communities of color.”
This holistic approach is especially meaningful at Howard since it will be the only HBCU classified as an elite research institution.
While STEM fields are a critical component, Howard’s research legacy also lies in addressing systemic challenges through the humanities and social sciences. This commitment ensures the university’s research resonates far beyond academic circles, reaching into communities and addressing real-world issues.
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designates universities with “very high research activity” as R1 institutions, a status that reflects significant research output and doctoral education. To achieve R1 classification, universities must meet criteria such as awarding at least 70 doctoral degrees annually and spending a minimum of $50 million on research.
The university first attained R1 status in 1987 but lost it in 2005 due to changes in the Carnegie Classification criteria.
Under the leadership of President Wayne A. I. Frederick, who served from 2013 to 2023, Howard prioritized regaining R1 status. This commitment was evident in initiatives like securing a $90 million contract with the Department of Defense to establish a University Affiliated Research Center, positioning Howard as the first HBCU to lead such a center.
These efforts have brought Howard closer to reclaiming its R1 designation, highlighting the university’s dedication to research excellence.
“Now, we engage in what we call interdisciplinary research that will involve more than one department, and, in some cases, more than one college, around research projects. For example, The College of Medicine may collaborate with The School of Social Work on pursuing a research grant from the National Institute of Health,” Jones said.
The potential of R1 status is transformative for students. Leila Diallo, a sophomore honors economics major and journalism minor from Covington, Georgia, and a member of the inaugural cohort of the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholars Program, felt this possible status would require others to take the university more seriously.
“I think it’ll influence our impact by giving us the credit we deserve. Unfortunately, there are always going to be those who don’t see us as real schools or who look down at us or think of us as ‘party’ institutions, but you can’t deny R1 status,” Diallo said.
Programs like the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholars Program and partnerships with national labs already prepare students for advanced research, and R1 status will amplify these efforts.
In an effort to achieve R1 status, Howard has been conducting research across the country.
“We’ve developed partnerships with national research labs like Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, and they engage in research on climate science, climate change and energy. Another one is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado where we have professors and students flying out right now and doing research in their facilities,” Jones said.
R1 status will give students access to cutting-edge resources and mentorships that enhance their career prospects.
These partnerships provide experience, particularly in areas where resources at HBCUs have historically been limited due to financial barriers.
“We’ve already accomplished so much as an R2 institution. Becoming R1 will open even more doors and strengthen Howard’s role in innovation,” Zoey Hall, a sophomore computer science major and maternal and child health minor from St. Louis said.
Hall is also a member of the seventh cohort of the Karsh STEM Scholars Program.
The ripple effects of R1 status extend beyond research labs. Increased funding will allow for more research fellowships and scholarships while raising the university’s profile among donors and corporate partners. This elevated status will attract new opportunities, ensuring Howard’s students and faculty continue to lead in fields ranging from environmental science to cultural studies.
“I think my program does a good job with knowing how to get us connected with other schools and prepare us for graduate research. R1 status will grant us more access,” Alexia Burford, a sophomore honors psychology major and African American studies minor from Chesapeake, Virginia, and a member of the inaugural cohort of the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholars Program said.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
