output —a vital designation for many emerging HBCU research institutions. While Carnegie provides an essential framework for assessing research capacity, translating these metrics into actionable pathways for national economic growth— particularly for HBCUs—requires targeted programs, which is the role the PEI Initiative was created to fulfill. Although only one HBCU—Howard University—currently holds R1 designation and 13 hold R2 status, many HBCUs are actively pursuing R2 recognition and now hold the newer RCU classification. Ten R2 HBCUs have participated in prior PEI cohorts or received NIH HBCU IDIQ contracts, and several— including Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, Virginia State, and Delaware State—are 1890 Morrill Act land-grant institutions that address rural community needs through research and workforce development. By strengthening these institutions’ capabilities, the PEI Initiative captures the broad HBCU landscape envisioned in EO 14283 and recognized under the HBCU PARTNERS Act, providing a representative population for building scalable models to advancing advance HBCU research capacity and federal participation.
HBCUs with R2 Carnegie Classification
Clark Atlanta University Delaware State University Florida A&M University Hampton University
Jackson State University Morgan State University North Carolina A&T State University Prairie View A&M University South Carolina State University Southern University
Tennessee State University Texas Southern University Virginia State University
The PEI Initiative Provides A Sustainable Research Partnering Model PEI is more than an initiative—it serves as a model for sustainable research partnerships by fostering collaboration between HBCUs, federal agencies, and the private sector. Where It Began The pilot program (FY 2017–2020) paired six HBCUs with Small Business Partners (SBPs) to pursue federal contracts. These partnerships provided subject matter expertise and agile operational support in areas such as proposal development and cost accounting, enabling HBCUs to expand their procurement capabilities. Building on this success, PEI 2.0 launched in FY 2021, expanding to 21 HBCUs and 43 SBPs—nearly quadrupling participation in three years. Of the 21 institutions onboarded, 13 engaged deeply in program activities, underscoring strong uptake and informing refinements that will support long-term sustainability.
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