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 2025
HBCU Engage 2025 was held in Charleston, SC, March 25-26, 2025, and co-hosted by Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clinton College, Denmark Technical College, Morris College, South Carolina State University, and Voorhees University.
Registration is open for HBCU Engage 2026! Join us in Cary, NC as the SAS Headquarters for this extraordinary event that brings together potential partners from HBCUs, industry, nonprofits, government agencies, and other universities. See the event website to register.
HBCU Engage 2024
HBCU Engage 2024 was held April 16-17, 2024 in Baltimore, convening 158 unique organizations (HBCUs, industry, government, nonprofits, and other institutions) to share practical ways to enhance research engagement with one another. These stakeholders have much to gain by collaborating and partnering for research and program development. The event was supported by sponsors 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.
HBCU Engage 2023
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.
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.