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UIDP HBCU Initiative

An increasing number of companies and R1 universities wish to pursue or strengthen collaborative research partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Many HBCUs are interested in utilizing partnerships to bolster research opportunities. The purpose of the UIDP HBCU Initiative is to develop guidance that provides company representatives and R1 universities with the necessary contextual information and best practices for developing a mutually beneficial HBCU engagement strategy.

UIDP supports this engagement in a number of ways, including the launching of a partnership webinar showcase, disseminating data on HBCUs’ historical research and impact, and an annual conference. UIDP is proud to welcome HBCUs as members —  Howard University, Jackson State University, Morgan State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Prairie View A&M University, Tennessee State University,  Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Want to learn more about engaging with HBCUs? Contact us at info@uidp.net and visit UIDP’s collated list of direct links to many HBCU research office websites to make it easy for you to connect and collaborate. See the research offices links.

Events

HBCU Engage 2024

HBCU Engage 2024 was held in Baltimore April 16-17, 2024, and co-hosted by Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and the University of the District of Columbia.

Registration is open for HBCU Engage 2025! Join us in Charleston for this extraordinary event that brings together potential partners from HBCUs, industry, nonprofits, government agencies, and other universities. See the video below, and see the event website to register.

HBCU Engage 2023

HBCUs, industry, government, nonprofits, and other institutions have much to gain by collaborating and partnering for research and program development.

HBCU Engage 2023 convened 173 unique organizations (HBCUs, industry, government, nonprofits, and other institutions) in Nashville, TN, to share practical ways to enhance research engagement with one another. Thank you to our sponsors and local co-hosts Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College for a record-setting event!

See the summary, key takeaways, and photos in the event emagazine.

HBCU Engage PitchFest 2023

The HBCU Engage PitchFest is designed for students at four-year HBCUs to explore research ideas. Teams of up to 5 students submit a simple, 1-page description of a proposed project that focuses on a research question in any STEM field.

In 2023, teams from Philander Smith College and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science competed for a $10,000 awarded to support their research projects. They offered impressive pitches at HBCU Engage in Nashville, TN, for attendees and a judging panel of university and industry experts. Philander Smith College took the top prize, and CDU was awarded $4,000 as a finalist team (team travel and lodging expenses were paid by the event organizers). Thank you to Elsevier, the 2023 PitchFest sponsor, for making this event possible.

Related Resources

HBCU Research Capabilities

HBCUs have substantial collective research expertise. This document uses statistical analysis from Elsevier to illustrate core facts about HBCU research capabilities and performance, including overall research performance, topics where HBCUs outperform their peers, relative activity by research area, top collaborators with HBCUs, and more.

The document also illustrates top areas of HBCU research activity relating to the UN Sustainability Goals (SDGs), and how they perform compared to other higher education institutions.

Click Here to Download

Copyright & Disclaimer for Publicly Available Materials

UIDP materials, which include publications, webinars, videos, and presentations, reflect an amalgamation of the experiences and knowledge of those who participate in UIDP activities. The views and opinions expressed in UIDP materials do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any individual organization or the UIDP. At no time should any UIDP materials be used as a replacement for an individual organization’s policy, procedures, or legal counsel.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of UIDP.

Additional written permission may be granted to members, nonmembers, and/or participants in certain UIDP events. Additional permissions can be found in the UIDP materials to which they pertain.

For permission requests, write to UIDP at: 1705 Richland Street, Suite G, Columbia, SC, 29201.

Copyright © 2025 by University Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP)

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Mission in Motion emagazine

On March 28-29, 2022 in Atlanta, GA, UIDP hosted it’s inaugural HBCU engagement event, which convened representatives from HBCUs, other academic institutions, industry, government, and non-profits to share practical approaches for partnering and foster new relationships. This emagazine includes a summary, key takeaways, and photos from the event. See the emagazine.

HBCU Partnership Showcase Webinars

See recordings from this series that showcases HBCU capabilities and research strengths. View HBCU Partnership Showcase webinars.

Other Webinars