Minority-Serving Institutions Are Key To A Stronger R&D Ecosystem

The U.S. boasts a rich and diverse higher education system, yet structural inequities persist in how federal research and development (R&D) funding is distributed. Minority-serving institutions (MSIs)—including historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs)—are home to immense talent and untapped potential. Despite educating a significant portion of underrepresented students, these institutions receive only a fraction of federal R&D funding. 

Policymakers, funders, and institutional leaders must act now to ensure that the next generation of researchers and innovators reflects the diversity of our society. Past presidential administrations, including the Trump administration, have understood the importance of capacity building at HBCUs and other MSIs. 

Fostering an inclusive and vibrant R&D ecosystem requires the active engagement of MSIs. These institutions play a pivotal role in diversifying the research community and ensuring that innovations address the needs of all communities. HBCUs constitute just 3% of U.S. higher education institutions but produce nearly 20% of all African American graduates, while HSIs educate 65% of Latino undergraduates. However, systemic underinvestment hinders their ability to contribute fully to the national R&D ecosystem. To bridge this gap, we must focus on three critical areas: fostering collaboration to address infrastructure gaps, prioritizing inclusive investments in R&D, and strengthening academic and career pipelines for MSI talent.

Building Collaboration to Address Infrastructure Gaps

Many MSIs lack the infrastructure necessary to compete for and manage federal grants. Programs that facilitate partnerships between MSIs and high-research activity institutions (R1 universities) are particularly impactful. These initiatives enable institutions to share resources, such as finance, HR, and Institutional Review Boards, which are often barriers for smaller institutions.

Grant programs that embed networking opportunities into their design can help MSIs overcome systemic barriers while amplifying their contributions to R&D. Peer-to-peer connections among faculty and researchers at MSIs and R1 institutions promote mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, expanding the talent pool and creating leadership opportunities in education R&D. By prioritizing relationship-building efforts, funders and policymakers can lay the groundwork for a more equitable and inclusive research ecosystem.

Meeting Talent Where It Exists

Meeting talent where it already exists is not just a call for equity; it is a strategic imperative for the nation’s innovation agenda. By fostering collaboration to address infrastructure gaps, investing in inclusive R&D partnerships and platforms, and strengthening academic and career pipelines, we can unlock the full potential of MSIs and build a more representative and competitive R&D ecosystem.

Investing in Inclusive R&D Partnerships and Platforms

To level the playing field, stakeholders, including states and industry, must make strategic investments in R&D at MSIs. This includes creating dedicated funding opportunities, prioritizing partnerships, and including MSIs in the national innovation agenda.

Many MSIs face challenges accessing federal funding due to opaque processes and exclusionary practices. Simplifying these processes is essential. This includes removing exclusionary jargon, streamlining application requirements, publishing data on application success rates by institution type, and offering technical assistance. By addressing these challenges, funders can ensure that talented researchers from MSIs are not left behind.

Federal agencies and private funders should also incentivize engagement with MSIs in grant proposals. This can include requiring MSI partnerships in multi-institution projects or establishing dedicated grant programs tailored to their needs. A notable example is the Department of Defense’s research center at Howard University.

Industry stakeholders can enhance MSI participation in R&D by connecting industry leaders with MSI researchers through mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and platforms for real-world application. 

Strengthening Academic and Career Pipelines

Creating clear trajectories for academics and students from MSIs is critical to sustaining their engagement in R&D. This entails career development initiatives such as fellowships, mentorship programs, and cohort-based networks. For instance, establishing U.S. Department of Education fellowship programs specifically for MSI faculty would foster professional growth and institutional capacity.

Programs like the New Educational and Research Alliance (newERA) demonstrate the potential of targeted investments in building academic pipelines. Expanding such programs and ensuring sustained funding will create opportunities for researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to lead groundbreaking projects and mentor the next generation of innovators.

Policymakers must also address barriers that discourage MSI graduates from pursuing careers in research. This includes increasing access to graduate programs, providing financial support for advanced degrees, and creating opportunities for early-career researchers to lead projects and secure funding. 

There is an urgent need for targeted interventions to build the research capacity of these institutions and enable equitable participation in the nation’s innovation agenda. Empowering MSIs is not only about addressing historical inequities. This same support needs to continue in order to build a future where innovation benefits all Americans.

Jinann Bitar is Director of Higher Education Research and Data Analytics at The Education Trust, where she manages and carries out the organization’s higher education research and analytical work to advance the opportunity and equity agenda at colleges and universities.