Howard U. Expects to Be Classified as R1, Making It the Only HBCU With Such Status

Howard University (DC) expects to be classified as a Research-1 institution this spring, making it the only historically Black university with such status. A Research-1, or R1, label could significantly increase the number of research grants the university qualifies for and attract more top scholars to its staff. The coveted status could also distinguish the HBCU’s focus on research that disproportionately affects the Black community, such as sickle-cell disease and voter participation. Several colleges are expected to receive R1 status in the spring under new Carnegie Classification requirements.